The Syracuse community was honored to welcome home Vice President Joe Biden (L ’68) to his alma mater on Thursday, November 12th. Biden spoke on behalf of It’s On Us, a White House public awareness campaign against sexual assault on college campuses.
After more than five hours of standing in line, our group of Maxwell students was thrilled to see Biden in the flesh, standing less than 30 feet away from us. As students of the public affairs school, we were in awe of the Vice President’s resounding presence.
Biden was introduced by Syracuse University music student Samantha Skaller, who shared her personal story on sexual assault and recovery. Biden thanked her for speaking up as an It’s On Us advocate: “every time you repeat it, you have to relive it.” His energy and heartfelt candor on the issue resonated throughout the jam-packed Goldstein Auditorium.
The Vice President shared a story about a young woman from New York City who experienced harassment from her landlord. She was not permitted to move out to a new place of residence, until the landlord offered to meet her in the secluded basement of a bar to sign the agreement. That was when the assault took place. “Sexual assault isn’t about sex, it’s about power,” he said.
He shared how victims are often left feeling ashamed and full of guilt after their assault. They are filled with thoughts of “I should’ve known better” and “I could’ve prevented this.” Victims, mainly women, who are abused by someone they know are less likely to report the incident.
Biden insisted, however, that there must be a change of culture in university communities. He asserted that sexual violence in colleges is no different from any other criminal activity— crime is crime, and when you see it, you speak up. Even if it’s not easy or does not make you a popular person, you should step in and take action.
I was very grateful for the opportunity to see Biden in the flesh and to listen to him speak so candidly and with such conviction. It is humbling to acknowledge that my MPA/MAIR classmates and I roam the buildings and streets that the Vice President of the United States once did. As a student at the School of Citizenship, his message of involvement for the benefit of the common good resonated with me. Biden’s push for ending sexual violence at universities was a call to action for citizen engagement from everyone that was in attendance, and whomever may be reading this blog.
The then-Senator has been a lifelong advocate of ending violence against women, having introduced the Violence Against Women Act in the 1990’s.
The It’s On Us event at Syracuse University comprised the university band, acapella groups, members of Greek life, and other student leaders. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman John Katko, and Mayor Stephanie Miner were in attendance.
Biden ended the event with a call to action for civic responsibility: “It’s on you. It’s on me. It’s on us.”
Click here for more information on the It’s On Us campaign and to take the pledge.
Vice President Biden at the podium in Goldstein.
Vice President Biden taking pictures with students.
Our Maxwell cohort in line waiting outside of Schine.
Photos courtesy of Kurt Fire and Danielle Wohlenberg.