In three words, I begin with what yesterday's anonymous editorial took many paragraphs to say: "I believe Emma." (Why I believe Emma Sulkowicz, Feb. 9, 2015) I say this outright because I frankly don't care if you think I'm gullible or idiotic. This is not the article in which I will justify my belief. I am not here to say you should or should not believe her, and I would never want to. I am here to express a few sobering realities publicly undiscussed.

And yet, as someone who believes Emma's story, I also believe that the collective mistake of Columbia's activist community was giving a far-reaching platform to one person, and essentially creating a figurehead for a movement that is vastly more important than one person.

It is very possible, given the brazen political climate on campus, that what we (and the rest of the world) think is a campus-wide belief in Emma's story is an opinion held only by a few hundred activists. Many students disassociate themselves for myriad reasons that should not require justification. They could be indifferent towards activism, believe sexual violence is not a problem, or feel too restricted by the booming voice of student activist leaders to have the ability to think freely and form any opinion whatsoever.

These days, students are asked who they believe in the "Emma story" in exactly the same way as friends asking each other if they have seen an iconic movie like The Godfather. If you've seen and enjoyed it, you'll scream in euphoria about its awesomeness, but if you haven't, you blankly stare back, wondering why seeing such a movie is a prerequisite for gaining additional "cool points."

Students may not know what they believe, because, once removed from the classroom, they aren't given the space to believe anything outside the norm and can be disenfranchised by their peers from forming any opinion at all. The extent to which we actively drown out dissenting voices on this issue symbolizes a judgment call from the masses—that the opinions of those who don't believe Emma are inferior and unworthy of consideration. Students are afraid to disagree with what is considered by the "perceived" majority to be a noble and just cause for fear that campus peers will categorize them as pro-rape. Students are afraid to stand up and ask, "why?" We will never know if the number of students with a different perspective outweighs the opinion of the "perceived" majority because enough student activists within the "perceived" majority have made it inappropriate and undesirable to criticize the merits of sexual violence activism.

I'm not asking anyone to agree with my opinion that Emma is telling the truth. I am prepared for the different forms of rebuke that await me. I care more about everyone feeling free and capable to form an opinion—even an unpopular one. We shouldn't have to qualify what we believe in for fear of social persecution. Maybe in the world beyond, but not on a college campus. We challenge some of the world's greatest thinkers every day in the classroom, but feel unequipped to do so with our peers. We must end the debate about who's telling the truth, and stop giving space for Emma and Paul to refute each other until the Cubs win another World Series.

I believe Emma, but I recognize it is time to move on from her story. I applaud her for defending the legitimacy of her feelings and recollection of her assault, including those of other survivors. She has become a larger-than-life international and campus figure. Some may say she is a hero, others a propagandist. I believe she has an important message that everyone should hear. But I am also very doubtful that time spent debating the truth of her story and allowing Paul a platform is constructive. In spite of their unintentionality, the media continues to polarize our campus to extreme perspectives based on a figurehead's individual experience instead of on the merits and flaws of an internal campus movement.

We need to focus our discussions and energy on fostering a community dedicated to combating sexual violence. Encourage others and their ideas, however unpopular, that they may join the discussion to end sexual violence. Ongoing arguments regarding the validity of Emma's story have now become moot and detract from the ulterior goal of combating sexual violence at Columbia. We have the capability of changing our campus culture for the better. Just end Emma's story.

The author is a Columbia College junior majoring in political science. He is a Resident Adviser, former executive board member of the Columbia College Democrats and current council member for the Student Health Advisory Committee.

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