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P1 Week Three

Joanna Weiss
"About-face on the perp walk"
But public opinion renders judgment, even when legal system cannot
The Boston Globe
August 27, 2011
In “About-face on the perp walk,” written by Joanna Weiss, she addresses a highly controversial topic– the accusations of rape against Dominique Strauss-Kahn. He was arrested in May of 2010 for sexual assault, and since then, prosecutors dropped the charges because the apparent victim had lied previously about similar accusations. Weiss states that her initial reaction to the case was wrong. However, she leaves the reader with the feeling that the situation is unfinished and that we will never know the real story. Weiss writes with an informal tone as she begins the article with this statement: “SO I was wrong about the perp walk.” She writes very personally, and it sounds as though she is having a conversation with her audience, which contributes to the informal tone. This is a persuasive piece as Weiss encourages her audience to take stand against rape and wane away from the stigma of rape. There is some bias to the article as Weiss implies some of her personal opinions using examples such as Bill Clinton and Arnold Schwarzeneggers’ reputations. She concludes the piece with the encouraging statement that “....it is up to the crowds” to determine the future of the rape culture, and putting an end to the stigmas and false accusations so that actual victims can be heard.

Comments

  1. LandrySeptember 22, 2019 at 8:03 PM

    Comment for the author: I am curious about how the case was finally closed or if it was ever re-opened? Also, I applaud your ability to acknowledge both sides of the controversial topic of rape, as you mention the cases in which the victims have lied, but also stand in supporting the end of rape and encouraging victims to stand up for themselves.

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