Write “Watch Hunting Ground/CNN” in your planner or calendar at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19. Write it in pen.
This past October, my sorority house mother organized a viewing of the documentary "The Hunting Ground" at my sorority house. She jumped through a lot of hoops to give us the opportunity to watch it, and I think I can speak for every single one of my sisters when I say just how significant it was for us. Now, hoops don’t have to be jumped through to view this documentary. Anybody with a television has the ability to watch it in just a few weeks, and everybody should take full advantage of that. Here are eight reasons why.
1. Sexual assault does not discriminate.
Nobody is immune to this tragedy, and that is very important to realize. Just because it hasn’t happened to you or a loved one, doesn’t mean that it couldn’t directly impact you in the future.
2. This issue is not just a women’s issue.
This is just as much of a “men’s issue” as it is for women. Every single person could learn something from this film.
3. Our eyes need to be opened.
We need to see the harsh realities that surround us every day. We need to refuse to look the other way.
4. As members of society, we all have the responsibility and the ability to combat sexual assault.
If everyone is more educated on the issue, we are more likely to recognize the signs, know how to intervene, or create a safer environment for those around us.
5. This is a topic that is often kept silent and hidden.
This film highlights the need and urgency to rise above and speak up. It highlights the need to see justice served.
6. This documentary shows how two college-aged girls overcame all odds and fought for change against a well-respected, well-established university without law degrees or money.
It took two individuals to show the nation that something needed to drastically change on our college campuses. It shows that all it can take is one person to make a difference in this world.
7. Colleges and universities need to be accountable for their actions or failure of actions.
By revealing and uncovering the universities that have mishandled sexual assault cases on their campuses throughout the years, the first steps of justice are being served. The truth is coming out, and nothing can be done about it on their part. We need to recognize that our own schools are not protecting the student body, and something needs to be done about that.
8. Your life will be changed or impacted in some way. I promise.
Watching “The Hunting Ground” impacted me more than I could’ve imagined. Sitting there watching and listening to all of the women (and men) speaking about their sexual assaults gave me goose bumps. It brought me to tears. I remember clenching my fists out of anger multiple times. Every negative emotion that I could’ve felt, I felt. Half of the documentary I was so angry that I wanted to get up and leave, but the optimistic person that I am wanted to stay in hopes that there might be a happy ending. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive my happy ending, but I did receive something else at the end of the documentary: I received a feeling of empowerment.
After watching this, I felt like I could make a difference on my college campus. I felt like I had the power to do something about this. You do, too.
