Audrey Lynn Mitchell
True, many women do not abide by the dress standard outlined in the BYU Honor Code. It is unfortunate that some view their commitment so lightly and choose to be a negative influence on campus.
I do not negate that suggestive, immodest clothing worn by males or females can encourage immoral thinking in others. However, the responsibility for impure thoughts falls completely on the perpetrator.
Tuesday's letter, 'Stop tempting men' contained this statement: 'An uncontrolled male mind can easily be the most dangerous thing in the life of a woman.' This implies that a male mind can have a life of its own, completely outside the authority of the person possessing it. That concept is absurd. The fact remains that anywhere we go, inside or outside of our little 'BYU bubble,' we will be faced with immoral influences. While this is a sad realization, it does not take the liability off each individual's shoulders to resist whatever evils surround him or her.
'We are bad, we are evil, and we need your help to be clean.' To generalize in this manner is not only incorrect but grossly insulting to men. I think of my boyfriend, many friends, my father, and I am disgusted with that assertion. If the writer really wanted to 'save us,' he would not have perpetuated the idea that rape is the woman's fault with his statement, 'Why do you think so many women get raped?' Women will be sexually victimized no matter what they wear, and they are, every day, around the world.
Men and women who are of the opinion of Tuesday's writer need to take responsibility for themselves, and stop trying to avoid the accountability we are all privileged to have in this time of mortal probation.