Wake Up, New York Times, and Stop Victim-Blaming!

The New York Times' coverage of the gang-rape of an 11-year-old girl in Cleveland, Texas, made it seem as though the tragedy was the community's inability to respond, not the violent assault against a young girl.  The news article on the rape, written by James McKinley, Jr., deemphasized the girl's role as a victim, making it seem as though her "mistakes" had caused the assault, and used quotes and detailed biographical information to make the attackers seem more sympathetic than the victim.  As one of the most respected media outlets in the country, the New York Times owes it to its readers to report news without bias or assumptions.  This article clearly demonstrates that the author, and his editors, did not understand the depth or horror of the crime, or the extent to which victim-blaming can make a horribly traumatic experience unbearable.  Add your signature, and tell the New York Times to stop perpetuating rape culture.