When You're Forced to Cheer for the Man Who Raped You
The story of a high school cheerleader from Texas who was forced to cheer for her rapist has become a horrifying Rorschach test for how our culture views rape and rape victims, by Lauren Kelly.
But then, cheering for your rapist, whether actually or metaphorically, is a longtime American tradition. And don't forget the corollary -- blaming the victim. These practices are practically de rigeur in high school, encouraged and abetted by coaches, teachers, parents, and that most predictable of animals, fans. After all, we know who the Good Guys are.
