Yes Is Better Than No

                In the New York Times article ‘Yes’ Is Better Than ‘No,’ Kimmel and Steinem discuss a new bill regarding rape and consent. In it talks about the bill in California which redefines consent to sex from saying ‘no,’ to the absence of ‘yes.’ This has been such a reoccurring issue in rape cases today and was definitely a movement to be made. This has been the first state to change its stance on rape from the original standard, “no means no,” complying with President Obama’s initiative on campus sexual assault.

                I think the introduction where comparing an invasion of privacy by an acquaintance and break in to your property with the invasion of your body is extremely important. “Until now, this has been the state of affairs in our nation’s laws on sexual assault. Invading bodies has been taken less seriously by the law than invading private property, even though body-invasion is far more traumatic (Kimmel and Steinem).” You did not say no to the person breaking into your house but you certainly did not say yes either. Just as you did not say yes to the person having sex with you. It simply does not make sense how the invasion of your things can be seen, in court at least, as worse than the invasion of your own body.

                Similarly, to the new bill, the code of conduct from Antioch College tried to compel the need for ‘yes’ in consent. After seeing how student rioted this conduct and were offended by it, seemingly offended me. The thought that needed consent is not sexy or will not “get you what you want” is the exact problem we have today! This is where I feel Kimmel and Steinem were trying to get across the point that absence of ‘yes’ should not be a bad thing or a turn-off. “Actually, ‘yes’ is perhaps the most erotic word in the English language (Kimmel and Steinem).” If people our age understand that, then there will be less of a bad stigma on asking if they want to have sex.

                All in all, I feel like new bill in California is a great place to start for improving how we legally look at rape cases and how we allow consent. I believe more states should consider approaching this bill with an open mind as opposed to looking at it as policy or control of one’s sexual life.