We are glad that the Phoenix covered the rape-related graffiti found in the lodge basements. However, we are concerned about the nature of its coverage. Firstly, a “trigger warning” should have been added, rather than starting the article with the words “Rape dungeon.” Secondly, we are disappointed that a good portion of the article seemed focused on criticizing the college for closing the basements rather than addressing the more upsetting fact that a “rape dungeon” (could have) existed and was tolerated by the students who knew about it for over a year. Lastly, we are confused by the fact that the article is not even shown on the main page of the Phoenix’s website, despite it being featured on the front page of the print version. Rather, the main page highlights events that have nothing to do with Swarthmore — such as Pope Francis or Greg Abbott — at the expense of showing the article at all. In fact, the article “Rape-related graffiti found in dorm” is not even listed in “Breaking News,” despite the fact that other articles from the same issue are. The only way to even find the article on the Phoenix’s website is to scroll to the bottom of the “Around Campus” page. We’d like to think this was an accidental omission, but it seems more like the Phoenix does not want people to see this article.
Peter Nilsson and Emma Corngold
