I’m appalled and distressed that a female could fabricate a sexual assault claim in today’s day and age when the issue of diversity and acceptance of people has been the soapbox of so many forums and conferences.

First, I was shocked at the initial report that four black males had done such an act of violence and demise to a fellow human being. But when subsequent reports showed the claim was false we need to act as a community on this issue.

Let us assume for a moment that based on the initial report from the female that an arrest was made of four black males who allegedly fit the description given. There would be four more black males joining the ranks of thousands who are in prison – many innocently.

Was this a racist, ethno-centric or sexist act? How can the university community discourage such blatant and life threatening acts? How has this incident reflected on the entire ISU community and on females who may be genuinely assaulted sexually, verbally and emotionally? What is the potential impact of this terrible accusation on males, especially black males at ISU and the wider Ames community? How can we start rebuilding the bridge of acceptance and trust that has been broken?

I do not have answers to all these questions but I wish to make a few suggestions. I think this issue should not be glossed over or shrugged off in the ISU community. Based on the reports we are aware of what happened – false accusation. We need to move from the awareness stage to the analysis stage where we dissect the issue, ask questions and search for solutions. From there we must take action. My suggestion is to have this female mandated to do courses in issues related to diversity. This is in addition to the action from DPS, Story County Attorney’s Office.

I wish she had attended the enlightening lecture by Justin Deabler and Julie Stoffer who looked at diversity and respect for self and others.

A class such as CI 506 Multicultural Gender Fair Education or HGED 577 would also help her deal with the issues she may have and/or is facing regarding hurting others. I don’t get it; how can a human being be so inhumane?

Finally, we need to hold ourselves accountable for learning and moving beyond the prejudices we have grown up with regarding others and learn to respect humanity and to accept diversity.

Natalie A. Johnson

Graduate Student

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies