Sometimes it’s hard to withhold judgment. Especially when the person you’re judging is a fairly well-known University of Iowa basketball player who recently pleaded guilty to charges of assault.

Sitting in the student section at the Iowa State-Iowa game, your face painted cardinal and gold, cheering madly for Iowa State, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and shout out the least appropriate, least sportsmanlike thing possible at the opposition. Especially when the opposition includes Pierre Pierce.

Rapist.

But just because it’s easy doesn’t make it right. Banter and catcalls may be part of the college basketball experience, but Hilton Magic shouldn’t be based on crude accusations and foul chants.

Despite continual public address announcements during the game and a pre-game letter from ISU Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde asking for sportsmanlike conduct, the fans continued to yell at Pierce, embarrassing the ISU community.

This has nothing to do with whether Pierce is guilty or what you think of him as a person. What’s at issue is the public perception of Iowa State.

Do we really want to be known as a campus that takes the lazy way out, insulting opponents instead of taking real action?

Chanting “rapist” during a game full of visitors, families, fans and students is hardly the best way to get the point across.

If you really want to make a difference, volunteer at a domestic violence shelter. Write letters to local papers. Work for local and national non-profits that try to prevent battery before it happens. Study for the LSAT, go to law school and work to change the system from within, giving those who report assault more rights than they currently have.

There are countless ways to truly help both women and men who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Yelling at Pierre Pierce may make you feel good about yourself, but it cheapens the efforts of those who are actually out in the community, working night and day to prevent abuse and help those who have suffered from it.