Writing an angry email never felt so good!

                                          "Fishbones" by Samantha Harthoorn

It's been a minute since I've posted on this blog. I think the majority of what I was writing was to get me to the point of posting the re-telling of my rape trauma. Posting it was the most cathartic feeling for me, it certainly felt like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders and I could breathe again.

I've been in a really good place for the past couple of years, and find myself enjoying all of the little things in life. I suppose that probably is why I haven't written, because I tend to only like to write when I have something I need to express in more ways than one. That and writing is a helpful tool for me. I have such a wonderful group of friends, I've made some new friends as well. I've been in a relationship with someone that words can't really do justice of describing - he is my rock, my love, and my biggest supporter. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not thankful for him, my friends, my family, and my life that exists for me now.

What I wanted to share is that I....well...I wrote a fairly scathing email to my college's Alumni Assoc. and a part of me feels bad for the person in charge of reading all these emails, but another part of me hopes that they read it and take it seriously. I tried to not say "fuck" except for once, for emphasis. A good friend told me swearing only helps make a point if you don't swear very often. I don't know why I chose today as the day to send this email, I mean, I probably should have sent it long ago. Maybe I'm just feeling stronger in expressing myself, maybe it is because I just am tired of getting these letters from my school, these stupid jolly letters with pictures of happy students, living out their college experiences - one so different from mine. I hate getting the letters, and I don't know how they keep finding me at my new addresses because I move so often, and they still get my address. Sigh.

Anyway, here is the letter I sent. I think it made a pretty strong point:

Hi,

I couldn't find a place on the website, but wanted to request that I be opted out of any future mail from [omitted] regarding Alumni events or Charitable Donations.

My college experience at [omitted] was horrible. I was gang raped by frat members while attending college there on the campus  8 years ago, and the Dean, the President, and the Greek Association treated me in ways that further added insult to the injury of the situation. Every time I receive a piece of mail from [omitted], it feels like salt is being poured on a wound. I will NEVER attend an alumni event, and I will NEVER donate money to [omitted]. If there is anything I wish for, it would be for the college to take rape and assault of their students and former students more seriously, and to treat those situations with more care and consideration. Perhaps donations could be put to use educating the student body (this includes the Fraternities and Sororities) on how to prevent rape and assault on campus. Or how to report it. Or to know that if a student DID report it the school wouldn't just tell them there isn't anything they could fucking do, and to try and keep quiet to the media about it.

So please remove me from any future mailings. Remove my address and contact info. I have my diploma, and that is all that I would like as a reminder of my five awful years at [omitted].

Thanks,

[omitted] Class of 2010