The Air Force Academy and Muslim Extremists Have the Same Views

December 8, 2003

In many Muslim countries, a raped woman is publically scorned and further victimized by the men in her family. She may even be killed for bringing shame upon her family. Rapists are rarely prosecuted and incredibly they routinely accuse rape victims of adultery under Muslim laws. At the Air Force Academy, this is called the "consensual sex" defense.

The Air Force Academy's response to rape was to administratively assault the victims and kick them out of the Air Force. Rapists were rarely held to account for their crimes. This lack of a meaningful response shows incredible disrespect for a woman's dignity and her fundamental human rights. This is shameful.

Extremists, whether in the Air Force or the Middle East, always have one thing in common. They hold women in low esteem and devalue them as people. Male dominated cultures protect their brothers because they believe they have masculine privilege of power, domination and control.

◊   Many call the Muslim culture misogynist and violent for their treatment of women. The same can be said of Air Force culture.

◊   Little has changed in male dominated Muslim places. So it is with the Air Force Academy.

◊   Rape is not legal in Muslim teachings or in their laws but its toleration is ingrained in their culture. So it is with the Air Force.