Journalist 'live tweets' time spent with a rape victim in Haiti

To say that the journalist "is just twittering on her mobile device about it" is judging the journalist in much the same way as the rape victim herself is being wrongfully judged. This is very unfair. The journalist is doing what she can to provide moral support to the victim while also documenting the harsh responses and lectures that she (and the victim) have received in their attempts to seek care. Her purpose in Twittering about this seems to be a genuinely honest and heartfelt attempt to show the injustice and horrible conditions that victims face in that particular Third World country. Sadly, her Tweets not only illustrate common attitudes toward victims in that particular country, but they also illustrate the attitude toward victims the world over -- even here in the good ol' U.S.

One person alone cannot change the world. But journalism and honest reporting are very powerful weapons. The pen (or, in this case, pixels in cyberspace) is mightier than the sword. Words alone can cast an illuminating spotlight upon humanity's darkest attitudes and traits.

And one of humanity's ugliest traits is the blaming and mistreatment of victims. It is a topic that is very unpleasant and is a subject that most people would rather not think about. And, in that vein, it is far easier to either (a) criticize any attempt to shed the light of publicity on how victims are treated or (b) to blame the victim themselves. I think that society blames victims because doing so absolves us of any collective responsibility to address a real problem. But by placing a mirror in front of us in the form of honest reporting and then forcing us to take a good hard look at our society's attitudes and assumptions, this type of publicity can be a remarkable catalyst for change.

So, though one may not think so at first blush, to criticize the journalist's attempt to shed light on how society often blames and mistreats victims (which further victimizes them when they seek help) indicates a satisfaction with the status quo. Honestly -- how else can public perception be changed? There is so much junk reported in the news. This is actually news-worthy. It is not just mindless entertainment. It is a gritty, but seriously important, topic that challenges public assumptions to their very core. It is both a wake-up call and a call to action for each and every person to examine their attitudes toward victims and to take action in challenging unfair stereotypes.

The world NEEDS to know how victims are REALLY treated. I think most people consider themselves compassionate. And they assume that victims receive the help they need. If victims are NOT receiving the care, support, and help that they deserve, then I definitely want to know about it.

So, again, instead of criticizing the reporter for trying to bring public awareness about this victim's plight (and hence making it OUR responsibility to challenge such mistreatment), we should be lauding her and encouraging her to keep up her good work. She is actually placing herself in a position of danger to bring this news to the world. She, too, is vulnerable to being victimized just like K. was. And, if you read all of her Tweets, she is acutely aware of this. (She had nightmares of being raped and, when the electricity in her room went out, she was afraid to even open windows to get some relief from the heat. Women are routinely raped and mistreated in that country all the time and, just by being there to bring the truth to the world, she is in danger herself).

Hell, I give kudos to this reporter for her attempt to provide truly news-worthy news and to shine a spotlight into a desolate, dark spot in our world that we would rather not look at. Darkness hates the light.

(Sorry for this long, very disorganized, circular, and rambling rant, but it was quite therapeutic.)