Why I will be taking part in the Slutwalk
Today, I will be joining hundreds of women, men and children for London's second annual Slutwalk – a global movement promoting the "radical notion that nobody deserves to be raped". Although initially sceptical about the concept of the walk, it is one I have slowly come to support.
When I first heard about the movement last year – sparked by a Toronto police officer saying women would not be victimised if they "didn't dress like sluts – I was amazed at the overwhelming response.
With thousands of protesters marching in Canada, Australia, Morocco, France, Germany, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, the US, India and more, I kept asking myself who would ever want to call herself a "slut" – a term used to describe irredeemable women, the slovenly, those who enjoy "too much" sex, with too many partners – a term used disproportionately about women of colour and the working class.
No, my initial instinct was to reject this term. Nice girls like myself have been taught being slut is a social death sentence – that no nice boy will marry you; no nice girls will be your friend.
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But the more I thought about it, the more I see how this word needs to be challenged. How it is used to keep women in line.
Step outside the bounds of traditional femininity and you are labelled a "slut". Do you voice your opinion too loudly, draw too much attention to yourself or are you too successful in your career? You must be a slut! Do you challenge male authority? Slut!
One in four women will experience some form of sexual assault in her lifetime. Who, therefore, does not know someone affected by this crime?
More worrying, how many of these victims are afraid to report this crime, feeling ashamed for believing (or being told) they brought their assault on themselves.
For some, they are told their clothing is to blame (Studies have shown "modest" clothing does not prevent rape).
For others, it would be for staying out "too late" – as if there is a curfew before which rape does not occur! As one rape survivor stated, such views are down to a collective denial: "Don't blame the men. Blame the thongs and the women who wear them."
In order to challenge common rape myths, end victim-blaming and to teach men not to rape, rather than teaching women how to not get raped, I will proudly call myself a "slut" today and march with other supporters.
Kaitlynn Mendes is a feminist and senior lecturer in journalism at De Montfort University. She is author of Feminism in the News, and is writing a book on Slutwalk in the media.
Comments
by mouseovich
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 5:57PM
“I hope this page will let me post a link to film that shows very plainly why we should be doing all we can to stop feminism in its tracks. It is a form of social terrorism that uses the whole abuse industry to spread the hateful and hate filled idea that "all men and rapists and that is all they are." As Marilyn French, the feminist author once wrote. In case it will not I urge any readers of this page to search You Tube for the film under the title "The Swedish feminist nightmare." As you watch, listen for the woman in red and wearing the hat and her friend describe their own brainwashing. null”
by the-market
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 9:23AM
“WOW!!!
When I read the article this morning I was close on being the first to comment and saying what a great idea it is and should be better publicised.
The intentionis to draw attention to the issue and let women be aware they are not alone.
I know of one lady who was raped by 3 men when 16.She was so ashamed she never told anyone until she was in her 30's.
I also interviened to stop an attempted rape in a City side street.The guy,when able to get up off the pavement,wanted to know what has it anything to do with me and look at her ,look how she is dressed,she is looking for it .
That mentality is what this demo is about.
That a few dopes find offence to it,more or less justifies it.
Me=father of daughter..husband..son of a lady.I even still open doors for females of any age !”
by javiroll
Monday, September 24 2012, 11:58AM
“I don't like to hate anything, but I do hate feminism and, strange as it may seem to Mark Dulwich I don't hate women. I have an excellent relationship with my wife, I love my mother-in-law, sisters and daughter and I have a fun and friendly relationship with my female co-workers and have several female friends of different ages. If feminist sympathizers have a problem of squaring with the notion that being opposed to feminism does not mean hatred of women, then it says a lot about how their logic does not work. Without repeating what Mouseovitch says, he is spot on”
by mouseovich
Monday, September 24 2012, 3:32AM
“Correction: The text in my reply to Mark below should read "Calling me a woman hater because I will NOT support the twisted ideology of those who support only one gender and hate the other..."
Sorry about that.”
by mouseovich
Monday, September 24 2012, 3:30AM
“@MarkDulwich
It is interesting that anyone making any kind of critical comment on the behaviour of feminists is always branded a misogynist but the hatred aimed at men by feminists is never called the misandry that it is.
It is also strange that those feminist apologists happy to call others "women haters" never see the appalling way men are treated around the world. It seems this is because they are gender blind. This attitude then shows that what I said of feminists above is true and proves my point exactly.
I make no secret of my hatred for and contempt of feminist politics. It is evil, divisive, cruel, false and based upon distortions and lies. Marxist in origin and in action. However, hating a political idea is NOT the same as hating the people who espouse that idea. So, attempting, as feminist apologists always do, to claim anyone who does not believe their lies must be a bigot who hates all women, is simply a straw man argument used as a distraction and a guilt trip to shut others up. It bugs them to distraction that some of us will NOT shut up and THAT is a good thing. Totalitarian nut cases should ALWAYS be resisted by those who love the truth and their own freedom.
So mark, If that bugs you then I am sorry but I do not care in the slightest. I stand for justice for all people, regardless of gender, race, creed or age. THAT is equality. Calling me a woman hater because I will support the twisted ideology of those who support only one gender and hate the other makes you the fool who has not thought this matter through. Oh and before you think it, I do not hate you either. I just am just so you have been so misled and so blinded by some nut cases who are fueled by hate for, and jealousy of, men.”
by MarkDulwich
Sunday, September 23 2012, 8:50PM
“Mouseovich comes across as a closet misogynist, funny plenty plenty of men who claim to be for "the male victims of false rape accusations" appear to dislike women. I truly believe you don't give a toss about equality or you'd mention the appalling way women are treated across the world, take it from somebody who's seen it. I'm a man by the way.”
by mouseovich
Sunday, September 23 2012, 2:10PM
“I wonder is this writer would consider taking part in a walk with a title such as; "Liar Walk" The radical notion that no man should have to go to court on false charges of rape brought by bitter, angry, mentally ill females, or just women looking to make some quick cash from the compensation culture?
No? Thought not!
I would have more sympathy for feminists if the "equality" they are always talking about was extended by them to BOTH genders instead of just their own. That however, is not what their definition of 'equality' means. For them the word 'equality' means privilege and special care for one gender only and power to those at the radical edge of that gender.
It would be nice if the press could actually question some of this stuff too. That though will never happen will boy and girls in the media.
Funny that.”