Every college campus has a few of these kids. They see themselves generally as non-partisan (or non-conservative, or libertarian), since their intelligence and objectivity put them above the fray of such squabbles. Contrarian often for its own sake, their arguments use deliberate and contrived non-PCisms and attacks on so-called conventional wisdom. In a nutshell, they parade provocation as unique insight. But, to paraphrase Dave Chappelle, sometimes arrogant and self-indulgent games of devil’s advocate can go wrong. The latest “victim” of this well-intentioned and oh-so-misguided practice is John Petroski, former opinion editor of Central Connecticut State University’s The Recorder.

In a Feb. 7th op-ed entitled “Rape Only Hurts If You Fight It,” Petroski’s feeble attempt at satire (ostensibly of modern news media sensationalism) crossed the line. “Which line is that?” you might ask. Why, it’s the “Rape is Never Funny, especially in the context of a serious college publication” line. More on that later, but first, to the op-ed and ensuing controversy.

Petroski’s gem of a satire opened with a defense of rape as “a magical act that benefits society as a whole.” The piece then meanders into a bizarre defense by way of obscure ancient Roman parables (all true scholars cite classical history to defend themselves, if you were unaware) and a hypothetical musing on why Puritans didn’t make the thrifty choice to rape native women before getting to the absolutely, knee-slapping hilarious parts: “Take ugly women for example. If it weren't for rape, how would they ever know the joys of intercourse with a man who isn't drunk.”

Moving onto how rape benefits prisoners, the author mentions how rape spares them from loneliness, and that “[i]nstead, they merely need worry about treating their rapist with enough love and respect to earn a quick reach-around.” As for a satire of media sensationalism, the closest Petroski gets is by arguing that rape should be endorsed for the sake of more captivating news headlines, just before advocating “some saucy circle-jerk rape action” over more mundane topics.

 The publication was, predictably, met with disbelief and outrage. A hundred students protested in front of The Recorder’s offices, seeking the resignation of the editor and Petroski. The University President was pulled into the mess as well, defending free speech while condemning the piece. Eventually, apologies were issued by both the editor and the (now-demoted) Petroski, and the ensuing dialogue seems to have been sincere enough that the controversy appears largely settled on the CCSU campus. But that it happened at all, that the editorial board could not foresee this being offensive and problematic, and that, during a campus forum discussion, it took the bravery of several students who are survivors of rape to bring the point home points to a more serious disconnect.

To print an editorial like this, even if it’s blatantly satire, is premised on rape being a suitable target for satire. To use rape as an example of sensationalism suggests that its seriousness and incidence is exaggerated. Yet, between 20-25% of women are sexually assaulted or raped during their college careers, a high prevalence that I’d imagine few college males are even remotely aware of. And this is why joking about rape, especially on a college campus, is not funny, and not acceptable.

Even if clearly satire, even if the media did have a ratings-driven predilection towards such stories, the accusation of sensationalism spreads beyond media to the issue itself, and to those advocates of sexual assault prevention. It is reprehensible to publish something that triggers serious emotional pain among rape survivors on campus, and far worse to delegitimize their right to feel that way.  It chills an already struggling atmosphere for discussion, a vital component in making campuses safer for women,  in which shame, privacy concerns, defensiveness, and general discomfort are obstacles enough.

I don’t for a second believe that there needs to be any limitation of free speech in response to this, as public outrage is consequence enough. There is, however, a need for common sense. Being a contrarian and a provocateur can be a great quality at times, but when it comes to sexual assault, there is no other side, and there is nothing to be gained from pretending there is. Offensiveness is a preferred tactic of college conservatives, and is often done under the banner of stirring up debate and challenging one-sided liberal orthodoxy. But when the effect is only to exacerbate the problem, there is no defending it.