Rape culture? There’s no such thing

Submitted by Mastodon on Sat, 2014-11-22 18:11

Article here. Excerpt:

'Rape culture. It is a phrase that has slipped into public discourse with barely a peep of criticism, and it is referred to in feminist missives as if it were an objective, observable phenomenon. For the uninitiated, rape culture is the idea that modern culture – from pop songs to pornography to catcalling – is normalising sexual violence. But contemporary feminists are wrong: there is no such thing as rape culture, and the current obsession with this deeply misanthropic idea is doing more harm then good.

The suggestion that young men in particular can be slowly brainwashed into thinking rape is acceptable diminishes the seriousness of rape. Rape is a specific act of violent assault in which someone is forced into an act against their will or without their knowledge. Aside from murder, it is the ultimate burglary of individual freedom and, most commonly, an expression of the attacker’s desire for power rather than sexual satisfaction.
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The assertion that all young people are in thrall to a culture beyond their control underestimates their ability to exercise their human agency and negotiate sexual relationships. And, in the process, the severity of rape is diminished. Feminists who describe themselves as being ‘mentally raped’, as victims of rape culture and ‘rapey’ behaviour, undermine the specific act of rape as an isolated and distinct thing. While unwanted sexual attention towards women is a problem in society, there is a fundamental difference between an idiot grabbing your behind and being raped.

If we want to challenge the existing inequalities in society, then young women need to start answering back. This means demanding total freedom of expression, and using it – not seeking to limit the supposedly ‘rapey’ speech of others. Asking for protection from the nasty patriarchy through tear-brimmed tweets only wins you feminist-blogger brownie points. It’s no substitute for the uncompromising political battle that is really needed to achieve women’s liberation.'

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Comments

The author seems to be diminishing of such things as the ass-groping of ppl not known to the groper. I think that's a bad idea. Rude but non-obscene or non-patently offensive/insulting catcalling, wolf-whistling, and so on is bad and should be confronted and discouraged, but making even relatively superficial contact with intimate parts of another's body when you have no rational reason to think it's OK to do so verges into criminal behavior. As bad as rape? No. But still wrong.

Person A grabbing the behind of Person B with no defensible reason to think it's welcome to do so isn't merely being obnoxious or harassing, but such is definitely a form of assault. If I had it to classify, it would not be a felony or even a misdemeanor (unless it's a repeat offense to some degree), but a violation worthy of arrest, detention, and a summary hearing of complaint -- unless the suspect demands a trial. (Here in the US, violations, the offense level just below misdemeanors, typically don't entail the suspect has a right to demand a trial, even a bench trial. Some violations do, such as speeding tickets, but even that varies by state dep. on the alleged excessive speed.). If found guilty, Person A has a fine to pay, and also make restitution to the victim, Person B, w/ some amt. of compensation.

There, problem solved. :)

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Submitted by Matt on Sun, 2014-11-23 07:57