CBS’s Lara Logan Not Defined by Assault in Egypt

Speaking as a victim of rape, I can still only imagine the strength that Lara has to not only have survived her attack, but to opened herself up about it to international media. She not only has "broken the silence" of abused women in dangerous careers, but also given support to many silent victims right in our own backyards.

I find it very upsetting that so many of these comments seem to be directed negatively at Islam. I know that a typed comment on a newspaper article cannot defeat the world's bigotry or hated, but I strongly feel that no matter what religion, race, or creed people follow, there will always be good and caring people among them (look at the women who protected Lara), and there will always be those who work for evil. It is dangerous to associate evil actions of individuals with an entire group of people. I can say myself that my attacker defined himself a a Christian. However, I feel it is incredibly ignorant to let that incident color my opinion on the entire faith.

Surely, there are many things to be intolerant about in this situation. Be intolerant of the violence committed. Be intolerant of the people who did nothing to help Lara. And maybe most of all, be intolerant of the fact that millions of women sit in silence (or safely behind their keyboards anonymously, like me) after attacks like this due to shame, humiliation and fear. The best prescription for this is not hatred or anger, but caring and openness to allow the brave survivors of sexual assault to realize that what happened is beyond their control, and it does not define them.

Lara is so brave to come forward with her story, and my respect for her knows no bounds.

Kate of TX 1:28AM May 02, 2011