Tragedies. They happen each and every minute. Tragedies from kidnaps, to drug overdoses, to rape, to much more. And at the end of every tragedy, there is always the question of, how did this happen? Even after the continuous cycle of these consistent tragedies, we never seem to find the answer to that question
However, the result of these tragedies usually derive from even bigger questions such as: Can I get you a drink? Do you want to take a hit? Do you want to sleep with me? Don’t you wanna just try it once?
It is safe to say that it is the answers to these questions that often form the tragedies that occur. In some circumstances, however, these questions don’t exist. Instead, the answers are made without consent.
One particular story caught my attention and stuck to me. A story I can honestly say too many people go through and face in this world. This story is the reason I am writing this article today.
On January 17, 2015, a woman was sexually assaulted by a 20-year-old male athlete from Stanford University. He was not only found guilty but confidently put in his place by the victim a year later. “You took away my worth, my privacy, my energy, my time, my intimacy, my confidence, my own voice, until today,” read the 23-year-old’s victim impact statement.
After reading her statement in tears, I finally understand that in the most unfortunate tragedies, it isn’t about your ‘yes or no’ answer to those questions. Instead, it’s about being offered those questions in the first place and choosing to answer them wisely.
We often don’t realize how these small decisions can impact our lives in the long run. It is not always worth saying ‘yes.’ In fact, we often find ourselves in bigger trouble for saying yes to dumb, unimportant questions. The society we live in should focus more on the answer of consent for this 'yes or no' question.
Being a college student has definitely made me aware to these tragedies that continuously occur. We often belittle the importance of the advice our parents consistently give us. Be careful. Don’t drink and drive. Never take a drink from someone. Don’t be around people you aren’t comfortable with. Never do anything you don’t want to do. These little reminders often act as our biggest warning signs.
Overall, our actions and consequences always derive from our smallest choices. Never be afraid to say NO to something you don’t want to do or try. It is your life. You are the only person that can dictate what happens in it.
So, when you’re asked a question, own it and answer it wisely. I’m sure the 23-year-old victim in that tragedy wished she was even offered a question to say NO to.
