I have done much writing and posting about racism, class warfare, capitalism, imperialism, etc. But one area I have neglected to address is sexism or the status of women, not only in our society, but globally. But since I live in this society, let’s focus here.
David Zirin, sportswriter for the Nation magazine writes, “If a mass killing perpetrated by a deeply disturbed misogynist does not make us look at how our society promotes and perpetrates violence against women, I am not sure what will.”
Elliot Rodger, a 22 year old student of Santa Barbara City College, arbitrarily killed 6 people before taking his own life. Before his killing spree, Elliot produced a video in which he proclaims his intention to kill women as an act of revenge because his sexual advances were rejected.
Although everyone’s attention will be focused on this troubled young man, the issue will be treated as an aberration and the main theme ignored. Why do we, not only ignore violence against women but, as a male dominated, macho society, often encourage it?
Most men would become enraged if their wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, or daughters were attacked and/or raped. Yet, these same men have little or no reaction when the violence strikes an anonymous victim. An often used reaction to rape among some men is, “At least, I hope she tried to enjoy it.”
We have read numerous reports recently of young male athletes forcing themselves on women who, when they report the assault, are often made to feel responsible by the police and community. This is especially true if the school or community wants the young man available to play whatever game he’s involved in. Many women have to leave their communities because people turn against them for compromising their team.
Colleges, in their dealings with assault against women, have offered the perpetrator a slap on the wrist, maybe a short suspension and then return to classes. What seems to be missing is that rape is a criminal act that should result in charges being made, a trial, and if necessary, a prison term.
Physical assault against women is not the only issue, but the general status of women in our society is. Congress (old white men) have taken it upon themselves to regulate a woman’s health care. The issues of abortion and contraception are not to be trusted to a woman’s judgment but instead regulated by the state. These same people who demand that a newborn has a right to life, usually abandon that child once he/she is born. Whether or not that same child has a place to sleep, food to eat, a school in which to learn, or whether the mother has the means to raise a child is of no concern, just as long as he/she is born. Does anyone see a contradiction here?
We must also note that these old white men refused to pass legislation that would demand that women get equal pay for equal work. Most of the people who have minimum wage jobs are women. It’s no surprise that these old white men see no reason to raise the minimum wage to a level where people can support their families. These old white men scream about family values but accept that women who must work 2 jobs in order to survive are not home to provide tender loving care and guidance to their children. Does anyone see a contradiction here?
Our country is at war. We have been at war for most of my life and I’m 78 years old. But the wars that go unannounced are the war against women, the war against dark skinned people, the war against the working class, and the war against the Constitution of the United States.
Dave Alpert has masters degrees in social work, educational administration, and psychology. He spent his career working with troubled inner city adolescents.
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The ‘boys will be boys’ canard has to go
Posted on May 30, 2014 by Dave Alpert
I have done much writing and posting about racism, class warfare, capitalism, imperialism, etc. But one area I have neglected to address is sexism or the status of women, not only in our society, but globally. But since I live in this society, let’s focus here.
David Zirin, sportswriter for the Nation magazine writes, “If a mass killing perpetrated by a deeply disturbed misogynist does not make us look at how our society promotes and perpetrates violence against women, I am not sure what will.”
Elliot Rodger, a 22 year old student of Santa Barbara City College, arbitrarily killed 6 people before taking his own life. Before his killing spree, Elliot produced a video in which he proclaims his intention to kill women as an act of revenge because his sexual advances were rejected.
Although everyone’s attention will be focused on this troubled young man, the issue will be treated as an aberration and the main theme ignored. Why do we, not only ignore violence against women but, as a male dominated, macho society, often encourage it?
Most men would become enraged if their wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, or daughters were attacked and/or raped. Yet, these same men have little or no reaction when the violence strikes an anonymous victim. An often used reaction to rape among some men is, “At least, I hope she tried to enjoy it.”
We have read numerous reports recently of young male athletes forcing themselves on women who, when they report the assault, are often made to feel responsible by the police and community. This is especially true if the school or community wants the young man available to play whatever game he’s involved in. Many women have to leave their communities because people turn against them for compromising their team.
Colleges, in their dealings with assault against women, have offered the perpetrator a slap on the wrist, maybe a short suspension and then return to classes. What seems to be missing is that rape is a criminal act that should result in charges being made, a trial, and if necessary, a prison term.
Physical assault against women is not the only issue, but the general status of women in our society is. Congress (old white men) have taken it upon themselves to regulate a woman’s health care. The issues of abortion and contraception are not to be trusted to a woman’s judgment but instead regulated by the state. These same people who demand that a newborn has a right to life, usually abandon that child once he/she is born. Whether or not that same child has a place to sleep, food to eat, a school in which to learn, or whether the mother has the means to raise a child is of no concern, just as long as he/she is born. Does anyone see a contradiction here?
We must also note that these old white men refused to pass legislation that would demand that women get equal pay for equal work. Most of the people who have minimum wage jobs are women. It’s no surprise that these old white men see no reason to raise the minimum wage to a level where people can support their families. These old white men scream about family values but accept that women who must work 2 jobs in order to survive are not home to provide tender loving care and guidance to their children. Does anyone see a contradiction here?
Our country is at war. We have been at war for most of my life and I’m 78 years old. But the wars that go unannounced are the war against women, the war against dark skinned people, the war against the working class, and the war against the Constitution of the United States.
Dave Alpert has masters degrees in social work, educational administration, and psychology. He spent his career working with troubled inner city adolescents.