A Grant High School history teacher's three-page written opinion about "rape culture" distributed this week among students and staff has prompted outrage inside and outside the Northeast Portland school.

It isn't clear what prompted teacher David Lickey to write the document – widely shared on Facebook -- that says, "I find assertions of rape culture dubious," and "The very wording of 'rape culture' seems to me a bit hysterical."

The document, dated May 2, is addressed to "esteemed students and Mr. Leeman," and begins with Lickey recounting that he had "interrupted your lesson and the train of your discussion in a way that was disruptive, for that I apologize."

The document goes on to say: "'Rape culture' is a theoretical construct that is ill defined. What exactly is 'rape culture'? I don't see it in my life or the lives of any of the men and women I have known. I have never met a person who believes rape is anything other than a heinous crime."

Lickey concludes by writing, "These are a few of my thoughts on the subject. As you can tell, I'm uncomfortable with theories of rape culture. I don't think there are in these thoughts anything even remotely chauvinistic or misogynistic, quite the opposite. If you disagree, I'd love to hear your thoughts."

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On Friday night, Grant High Principal Carol Campbell sent a message to families.

The document, Campbell wrote, "included some statements that run counter to the way we approach this important subject. The perspective of the teacher does not reflect nor support our approach to educating students on sexual assault. A strong contradictory argument should be accompanied by counter arguments from credible sources.

"In this case, the document was shared with many students and staff with very little context. We apologize for any harm or negative impact. We are working with students and some staff members to organize listening sessions and opportunities for adults and students to get support. It is our primary goal to ensure Grant is a safe place for all."

Lisa Frack, president of the Oregon chapter of the National Organization for Women, said in an email that the document's contents were "shocking but unfortunately not surprising."

"Too many men continue to explain to women what we do and don't experience in our daily lives," Frack said. "We actually know what we experience in our daily lives all by ourselves."

In 2013, Lickey was the adviser for Grant's Constitution Team which won the school's first national "We the People" competition.

Lickey has a wiki page that describes the three Grant history classes he teaches. On Saturday, a man who answered the phone number listed on the page said, "He's not available. Thank you."

--Allan Brettman

503-294-5900

@allanbrettman