MSU professor's use of the word 'rape' in his rant against Republicans

[Bay Boy]

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/msu-prof-reassigned-after-going-on-videotaped-anti

MSU Relieves Prof. Who Went On GOP Rant: ‘They Have Already Raped This Country’

I'm just wondering how many others think his use of the word 'rape' trivializes the actual event?

If he had said something like "Republicans act so gay in the way they treat people"
Or if I said I went to the bank for a car loan and they raped me on the interest rate I think everyone would
agree that would be in very bad taste. So how about the way he used the word?

[Ohio Joe]

1. Nope, I'm good with it

I think it sums it up perfectly.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

2. Rape has more than one meaning.

rape [reyp] Show IPA noun, verb, raped, rap·ing.
noun
1.
the unlawful compelling of a person through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse.
2.
any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person.
3.
statutory rape.
4.
an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; violation: the rape of the countryside.
5.
Archaic. the act of seizing and carrying off by force.
verb (used with object)
6.
to force to have sexual intercourse.
7.
to plunder (a place); despoil.
8.
to seize, take, or carry off by force.
verb (used without object)
9.
to commit rape.






What republicans have done matches up pretty well with definition #4.

[tarheelsunc]

4. +1. The fact that rape has that usage should erase any semblance of controversy, but it won't. eom

[Bay Boy]

9. So my use:

'The bank raped me with the interest rate they charged' is OK too?

[Union Scribe]

12. I think the degree of wrong which is being called "rape"

is an important aspect of using that word. The more people wronged, and the worse the wrong is, the more appropriate "rape" may be. I wouldn't personally liken an interest rate to rape, but how about the homeowners whose homes are gone because of predatory lending? I could agree that the industry raped them. And the GOP, who have systematically exploited, degraded, and abused the people of this country over a period of decades? Yeah, the word applies there. It's a powerful word being used to describe a substantial wrongdoing.

[Isoldeblue]

18. +1 n/m

[Gormy Cuss]

16. No, because you're not property.

In the dictionary entry above, rape #4 is about seizure or ruin of property and assets not violation of bodies -- although historically raping women was viewed as seizure or ruin of men's property and is probably why it's considered a spoil of war.)

[Comrade Grumpy]

14. Silly dictionary is wrong, according to DU's PC police.

Any sexual activity of which they disapprove is rape. Full stop. And they'll alert on your post if you fail to comply with their ultra-PC definitions.

[nomorenomore08]

30. Someone's developed a bit of a persecution complex. Just saying...

[aikoaiko]

3. why a metaphor works or fails is a very interesting topic.

In this case, from my point of view, the metaphor works and doesn't trivializes the actual event.

[broiles]

5. While I agree with him, I think it was inappropriate in a class.

[struggle4progress]

24. It would generally be inappropriate. But it might be acceptable in the context

of particular writing assignments, depending on what the objective was

[demmiblue]

6. I find it very apropos.

[get the red out]

7. No, it's appropriate

There is no gentle way of describing what they have done to our country and our democracy. Rape sums it up quite well, kidnapping and violent rape.

[Laochtine]

8. Rape

is a horrible word and act, specific to non consensual sex . we use this word in many ways. I'm fine with the blank of Nan King
I can't think of a replacement

[awoke_in_2003]

10. Look the word up...

it has more than one definition

[Laochtine]

11. thanks

[Brickbat]

13. It's true that "rape" has more than one meaning and can be used metaphorically. However, it can be

a triggering or distracting word, and the use of it as a metaphor can detract from the message. Smart speakers don't use it, because many in the audience will think, "Whoa, he just used 'rape' as a metaphor. Is that appropriate?" Douchebros like to use it because it's a whipcrack, a little taboo, and evokes just the kind of tasteless and vaguely sexual imagery that pervades so much of their existence. "Dude, I totally got raped by that test!"

[Gormy Cuss]

15. True, but in context the prof is using it in the same sense as the rape of Nanking...

and it's sad if that's the reason he was canned because in a college classroom one would hope that the students have enough intellectual curiousity to consult a dictionary when they're unclear on word usage.

"don't want to pay taxes because they have already raped this country and gotten everything out of it they possibly could."

Your example (getting raped by a test) is just callous misuse of #1 meaning of the word.

[Brickbat]

17. It would be a poor creative writing professor who compares what Republicans have done to the

Rape of Nanking. Talk about a callous misuse.

[Gormy Cuss]

23. Yes it would, but that's not what was done here.

It wasn't comparative. It was using the same definition.

[Greybnk48]

19. It's a correct use of the word,

as I'm sure the Professor knows.

[Isoldeblue]

20. Using it in the context

that he did, works for me.

I've said the same thing, myself on a number of occasions.

[JesterCS]

21. In context, it's correct.

I have no problem with how its worded.

However if he had said " Republicans have raped this country like " insert reference to a woman here " Then I would disagree with that.

[hunter]

22. More "concern tolling."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023604775

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018473543

[Nay]

27. Yep. nt

[Bay Boy]

32. Would you care to tell me

Last edited Fri Sep 6, 2013, 09:03 PM - Edit history (1)

what that means?

I have a hunch you are trying to tell me something but don't actually have the balls to do it.

[hunter]

33. Sure. Wohoo I post this on DU! Almost like the Romnney 47% video...

... but pathetic.

[Bay Boy]

35. Huh?

Not a clue what that babble means.

[hunter]

36. Of course not.

[Bay Boy]

37. If you have something to say to me...

...pull up your big boy/girl panties and say it.

[Precisely]

25. You're right. And people will defend it and continue to do it.

[Nay]

26. That usage is not incorrect and IMO, it's not in bad taste, either. Rape has a bunch of

metaphorical meanings that are just as useful and relevant as the original use. I've got no problem with the car loan usage, either.

[REP]

28. OMG I'm CONCERNED!!!11!!

[zappaman]

29. He used it correctly.

And he's right.

[nomorenomore08]

31. Maybe it's not for me to say, but I don't find this inappropriate, in context.

Right-wing economic policies have effectively despoiled, and laid waste to, much of this country. Using the strongest possible language to condemn this is the least we should be doing.

[CPX7700]

34. Nothing wrong with it

People use murder in a figurative way all the time, for example, to point out that Republicans murdered gun control legislation? How is it any different with rape? There is a double standard between rape victims and other victims of violent crime. The last two examples you mention don't make any sense.

[B Calm]

38. I have NO problem with it, but many here get bent over the littlest thing. I have

seen way too many posts hidden because someone has used a word that someone feels is harmful.