I was talking with a dear friend of mine today and she presented a quote to me that I will never forget. It makes total sense. If anyone knows the author of the quote, please fill me in. I couldn't find it.
"If you are not outraged, then you are not paying attention."
Huh. That says it all. This made me start thinking. A lot. How do we get people who are not survivors to recognize the severity of the sexual assault epidemic? How do we make them outraged? Change does not happen until people recognize that something is an issue. It is so easy for people to look the other way when they hear about children being raped. Who can stand the thought of little children giving someone head to the point of ejaculation or having their privates penetrated by a penis/object? The details are even more graphic and hard to believe.
There are people trying to raise awareness and educate the larger population. But I feel like most of this education is focused on survivors and their families. They're preachin' to the choir.
I know there are tons of organizations out their supporting victims and their families and they do wonderful work. However, it seems as though we are educating the wrong people. For example, at my college, SUNY Brockport, throughout the last semester there have been [public] reports of rape and/or assaults on campus or in town. The university police immediately put out a warning (mind you, they only warn you when they hear about a stranger rape, not acquaintance). The warning is followed by "females, please use common sense and do not walk alone." WTF!! Teaching women survival strategies may teach women how to avoid a SMALL chance that a stranger rape attempt that may occur (I say this b/c it has been reported that anywhere from 60-80% of rapes are acquaintance rapes), HOWEVER, wouldn't teaching MEN that they should not mistreat a woman be a more effective strategy to secure safety?????
I am not attempting to attack SUNY Brockport. Rapes happen on every campus. Nor am I trying to attack men. Research clearly indicates, however, that men are the primary perpetrators in sexual assaults. If men are offended when they read "Men, you need to stop attacking women" then I hope they will take a second to understand how warning females to use "common sense" in situations that are out of their control is an outrageous expectation. Common sense is most likely being used. We don't ask to be raped under any circumstances.
Clearly I am pissed of at the lack of information or misinformation that is out there and that is not addressed towards perpetrators. Why are more people not pissed? Outraged? Paying attention?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Funny, I do the same thing. Use statistics to figure out the chances that you may not be alone in the room.
In response to your first comment, I understand that people cannot be outraged at every issue in the world. But in my opinion, they should at least recognize these problems. If they recognize it, then when they see legistlation up on these issues, they are more likley to pay attention, write their senators and so on.
If they recognize it, then they may pay more attention when the government is cutting funds in one area (most likely areas related to the issues you've presented) only to find the money put into programs that benefit the rich, the middle class, the politicians.
While 'outraged' may have been a overstatement... I still think people need to get a little pissed and pay attention, join the debate on all issues. You can still lead a happy, healthy life style. It's all about finding balance.
nah, outraged is not an exaggeration. WHY AREN'T PEOPLE OUTRAGED?? COME ON people!!!
love the post.
Post a Comment