Many believe that the NFL wants to make themselves look better by covering their tracks and penalizing domestic violence cases more severely.
On Thursday, Sept. 18, Dr. Michelle Filling-Brown and Dr. Amy Persichetti, two members of the English department, held a discussion regarding the recent issue within the NFL and the topic of dating and domestic violence in the Iadarol lecture hall.
Inviting participants to jump in and ask questions and present ideas to contribute to the group discussion “the idea of hosting this event was really inspired by conversations we were having with students about the Ray Rice video,” Filling-Brown said. “Being a college that is focused on social justice, we feel really strongly that we need to create safe spaces for students to discuss these issues, especially as they arise in the news and popular culture.”
During the discussion several students thought of the event as a chance to speak out their opinions and be heard about the situation. Filling-Brown and Persichetti had a similar open discussion previously when it involved the Penn State University scandal.
Baltimore Ravens ex-running back Ray Rice was punished by the NFL in July for assaulting his wife, Janay Rice, after he punched her unconscious in an Atlantic City hotel and casino elevator.
Students believe that Rice’s original punishment was too lenient. Hugo Fragoso, a senior criminology major, doesn’t believe that Rice was punished unjustly, “He should be a role model for all the young adults and kids as opposed to be all over the news for beating up his wife,” Fragoso said.
Domestic assault is a major topic of discussion in America and it may be universally believed that women domestically assaulting is not taken seriously by our society. On June 21, US women’s soccer goalie Hope Solo was brought up on domestic assault charges for an incident with her half-sister and 17-year-old nephew at a family gathering.
Though both are facing similar charges, Solo pleaded not guilty in her case and if convicted she will be spending up to six months in jail.
Mackenzie Murray, junior psychology major, believes that the NFL is “trying to make themselves look better because it looks more serious after the video came out and people are [asking] why aren’t you doing anything?”
After the discussion, students were given information to help them or someone they know who are in an abusive relationship and for them to know how to receive the correct help.
“We walked away from the event being so pleased by the great turn-out and the variety of participants ranging from a member of the board of trustees…to faculty and students,” Filling-Brown said.
