Three things I want to talk about, directed at nobody in particular, but that I’ve seen mentioned.
- SlutWalk
The entire raison d’etre for SlutWalk is simple: there are people out there who think that skimpy dress is partly to blame for rape. Which is just about the dumbest thing ever thought by anyone.
I used to buy into MRA bullshit until I actually listened to it. And listening to it is revealing: opinions that women who don’t want to be raped (because there are people who want to be raped, right?) shouldn’t dress in a way to “send signals” and “invite unwanted attention.” Because, as we all know, men just can’t control themselves when they really want to fuck someone, am I right studs? High five?
Yes, there are people that believe this. I’m not a big fan of those “I need feminism because” signs, but the one I totally agree with is the one that goes on to say “my school teaches girls how not to get raped, instead of teaching boys not to rape.” And yeah, it’s dudes doing the majority of the raping on this planet, and other dudes – and some women! – who say stupid shit like “well she asked for it for dressing like a slut.”
Hence, SlutWalk.
And before it’s said yet again: no, jackasses, this doesn’t mean women shouldn’t take preventative precautions. This also doesn’t mean I don’t like me skimpy ass clothing. If the Sorceress from Dragon’s Crown and I fought side by side and she made suggestive gestures to me throughout, I’d play along, see where it led, and hope it led somewhere awesome… but if I instead end Stage 1 by motorboating her titties and fucking her in every hole despite her protests, I’d be a fucking rapist. Fortunately I know how to control myself. More guys should, and stop saying bullshit like “she was asking for it.”
A partially-related aside: I’ve told my female cousins that if anyone tries to rape them, make them regret being born. Claw out their eyes. Apply enough torque to partially tear off their ears and/or scrotum. Make them fucking cry. It’s no less than they deserve.
- Countries that Mistreat Women
This is not a phenomenon of the past: it’s happening right now. Lawmakers in India calling protesters “troublemakers” for demanding better protection against gang rapes. Women in extreme conservative countries who have to get permission from men to do shit. Women who have to cover their bodies lest they “distract men.” Women earning less money on average than men for the same work. Shit like SlutWalk getting criticized for the reasons I just laid out. First world countries, third world countries, subtly, openly, whatever: this is neither a thing of the past nor ignorable.
The notion that women have it good in general is bogus. Just throwing out a stat or three about some field more women graduate in than men or whatever with no context into why that’s happening (PROTIP: while men are more often the victims of violent crime outside of rape, their attackers are almost always men, and that should tell you something about context) is idiocy.
- Shit that Legitimately, and Unfairly, Favors Women
I agree 100% that the favoritism on-the-scene police show to women in cases like domestic disturbance is unfair. I also, as mentioned, have strong opinions about maternity leave, child support, and other things where men aren’t being treated fairly. And while I do NOT think women should have to dress in flattering ways all the time, I like it when they do, and have mastered the art of subtle eye humping (hence my position of sexy female artwork in games and elsewhere).
But let’s not be moronic and assume these things cancel out the myriad of issues modern women and girls face. We’re better than that.
