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| I’m walkin’ here! |
Pierce Harlan of the False Rape Society has broken past the limits of mere logic, arguing that the fact that a small number of guys at a couple of events have put on women’s clothing to raise money for women’s causes means that rape culture doesn’t exist. That seems to be the main message of a post of his today with the baffling title “Boys in bras, boys in heels, boys in pink — all to raise money for women’s causes: Is this the ‘rape culture’ we hear so much about?”
Harlan, posting as “Archivist,” complains about several recent campus events, in which college guys have literally put on heels (to raise money and awareness about sexual assault) and bras (to raise money for breast cancer research). Harlan isn’t thrilled about the causes themselves: he has sneeringly derided sexual assault awareness as “a supposedly good cause” and, while acknowledging that breast cancer research is theoretically a good thing, he’s evidently tired of hearing about it.
But he seems even more hot and bothered about the cross-dressing by guys he calls “chivalrous clowns,” describing the bra-wearing as “creepy” and deriding the guys “prancing around in high heels.” Apparently, as Harlan sees it, these fellows are just doing it to impress the chicks:
young men will do pretty much anything to help, to curry favor with, and to be admired by young women.
It is heinous to suggest that attitudes of sexual aggression and dominance over women are normalized, rationalized, and excused by the alleged beneficiaries of “patriarchy” in our culture. In point of fact, the foolish young buffoons in heels and bras are far more representative of young masculinity in our culture than is the young rapist.
There’s not a lot of logic in this, er, argument, but in an earlier posting Harlan elaborates on the distaste he feels towards the “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” event, which was held at the University of Montana (clearly a hotbed of radical feminism).
It would be downright shocking if this or similar events ever prevented a single sexual assault from occurring because: (1) prancing around in high heels and similar useless stunts has nothing to do with preventing sexual assault; and (2) the vast majority of young men who strutted their stuff and who participate in such events are highly unlikely to ever rape a woman. …
If we want to curb sexual assault, we need to teach our young people the truth, but the truth doesn’t jibe with the current rape meta-narrative that holds only one gender responsible for stopping it. …
Young people generally do not understand that women experience much greater after-the-fact regret than men do. Sometimes feelings of regret are translated into feelings of “being used,” and sometimes feelings of “being used” are misinterpreted or purposefully misconstrued as “rape.”
Asking the police, a judge, or a jury to sort out what happened in an alcohol-fueled tryst based on a “he said/she said” account puts an impossible burden on our law enforcement and judicial apparatuses. …
There is no “rape culture”; there is no “rape continuum.” Rape is committed by social deviants, not the nice boy next door. It is almost a certainty that none of the charming young buffoons who strutted around in women’s heels yesterday will ever rape a woman. …
The sad, politically incorrect fact of the matter is that young women have far more power to stop rape than innocent young men by not putting themselves in situations where rape is more likely to occur.
There’s a lot of bullshit condensed into these short paragraphs. There’s victim-blaming, of course: do we regularly attack murder victims for “putting themselves in situations where murder is likely to occur?” There’s his weird complaint that actually investigating and prosecuting date rape puts an “impossible burden” on police and the judicial system: should we simply stop enforcing laws against all crimes that are hard to investigate or prosecute? And there’s his unwillingness to accept the simple fact that rapists all too often do look exactly like the “nice boy next door.” As for his complaint that these events target the wrong people, see here for an argument as to why it makes sense to raise awareness specifically amongst those men who are NOT likely to rape women.
In the past a few MRAs have asked me why I put the False Rape Society blog in my “boob roll” — and formerly in my “enemies list.” This is why. Spreading blatant misinformation and blaming victims: these are not exactly good ways to actually reduce the number of men falsely accused of rape.
And here’s another thought for the MRAs reading this, Harlan included: if you are truly as concerned about testicular or prostate cancer — or any other male malady — as you so often and so loudly claim to be, take a few moments away from your constant complaining about feminism and/or women, and actually hold a fund raiser yourselves. In a comment on his latest post, Harlan writes: “My problem is this: how about an event to raise funds for male suicide, etc. once in a while?” You know how events like these happen? PEOPLE ORGANIZE THEM. There is nothing stopping MRAs from organizing such an event on their own. How about it, guys?
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>I have to say that this reminds me of something that's been going on in one of the less unsavory boards on 4chan — it's kind of a thing for people to post vocal performances (usually, but not always, erotica) on Vocaroo.com. However, in a lot of threads, creepers show up wanting to "dox" (i.e. get real name, location, etc) the girls, and at least one kept referring to one of the posters by (what he thought was) her real name. Object, and you get accused of whiteknighting by the creepers. Never mind that, you know, they're basically being hecklers on steroids. Some people just get off on making women miserable, especially if they're engaging in provocative entertainment.
>>>Implying any board on 4chan is "less unsavory">>chuckling elf man.jpgI kid, I kid. Sorry Brian, just messin' with ya, I assume you're a fellow 'channer. Really, though, depending on which board you're referring to everyone, and I mean *everyone* is a creeper. Every board might not be bad as /b/ and there are some which are pretty laid back (/po/ and /tg/, for instance) but if the board you're referring to is one of the NSFW ones, I'd say the crowds they attract in general won't necessarily be the most well-adjusted, especially in regards to women.
>triplanetary said… "I'm not a rapist."Get into a heated argument with your girlfriend or fail to call her back the next day and then see if you still ain't a rapist.
>Get into a heated argument with your girlfriend or fail to call her back the next day and then see if you still ain't a rapist.Hey, good reply, evilewhitemaleempire. I particularly liked the part where you're a sexist piece of shit.
>I don't know if men in heels is particularly helpful toward getting rid of misogyny as such, but they can be rather hot.
>Yeah, I'm pretty sure most of the non-creep guys I know can have heated fights that had nothing to do with rape with their girlfriends and not be called rapists. THen again, they don't tend to date the kind of (rare, but existent) women who do make wild accusations whenever they get into a fight. Then again again, entitled creeps and drama llamas do tend to attract each other quite a bit, I have noticed.
>If feminist jurisprudence applied to traffic then a driver who hit a pedestrian who ran out on the freeway during rush hour would be held ENTIRELY resposible.Any attempt to question the pedestrian would amount to victim blaming.You feminists just don't want to be held accountable for anything you do.And you know what? That's a FEMALE thing.
>triplanetaryThis is one sexist piece of shit that will never be falsely accused.You remember that the day you find yourself in court because you thought it could never happen to you.
>Urgh! That came of as rather mysogynistic.Evilwhitemaleempire…Stop pulling women just for sex. Crazy people exist in both genders. Any woman accusing men of rape is probably not thinking with all cylinders. Here is a hint. Go on a date or three. Decide if you both actually have anything in common such as whining about the rights of women and reducing their rights. Based on compatability have sex. It means people are less likely to call you a rapist. Hands up here men who have not been called rapists by the other half of the population.
>This is one sexist piece of shit that will never be falsely accused.You remember that the day you find yourself in court because you thought it could never happen to you.Statistically unlikely. But if it does happen it won't make me sympathize with you in the least. Similarly, if I were falsely accused of murder I wouldn't suddenly decide that most murder accusations are false and that suspicion should immediately be cast upon the accuser.
>Hmm… I've gotten into pretty heated arguments with boyfriends, I've been dumped out of the blue and I've been summarily ignored. But you know, I have never once been even remotely tempted to accuse the men in question of something they didn't do, much less rape. I've certainly cried and called them names and wished ill fortune on them – but I've never once been tempted to file a false police report about anyone. And your analogy about a pedestrian fails. If a pedestrian darts out into traffic before the driver has time to react, it's an unfortunate accident. Rape doesn't happen by accident or because someone was distracted for a moment. And even if that pedestrian *does* dart into traffic, it's partly the driver's responsibility to try and avoid hitting them. Pedestrians have the right of way (at least in my jurisdiction, they do), and drivers should be aware of people walking about near their cars.
>Rape doesn't happen by accident or because someone was distracted for a moment.I have a penis, so let me mansplain for you. When my penis builds up 60 miles per hour worth of momentum, it's liable to hit anyone who runs out in front of it. So basically it's exactly like a car.Check out my blog, FalseVehicularManslaughterAndAlsoRapeSociety.blogspot.com, sometime.
>There is nothing stopping MRAs from organizing such an event on their own. How about it, guys?I thought feminism was the only gender equality movement. Why do you suddenly roll on your backs and admit ineptitude when it comes to male issues?The MRM will continue to exist and grow as long as you allow it to – by neglecting men in favor of the better sex.Rape doesn't happen by accident or because someone was distracted for a moment.Which rape are you referring to? A girl drinking a few beers at a party and then screwing a guy before the first date? Or an actual rape where the woman is either fighting and screaming or unable to defend herself? You honorary women have lumped drunk sex into violent, bitter assault, so it's difficult to tell when you're being serious and when you're just applying some flawed theory on to human behavior.
>Tri has been established as a hypocrite, an idiot, and a liar already. Take whatever this sex-apologist honorary woman says with a grain of salt. We've already gotten enough from him in this post. We should focus on gathering additional evidence from the other subjects.
>@e-string. Rape is a male issue. Last time I checked, women only extremely rarely rape other women. Way to erase the actual perps in this discussion. As to breast cancer, these events are privately organized, usually by people who have relatives who have had breast cancer (the young woman who organized the largest event at my undergrad had lost her mother and two of her aunts). Supporting breast cancer awareness does not harm men. You have in no way shown that women or feminists are obstructing any effort to discuss or advocate for any other type of cancer (the same young woman was a key organizer of Relay for Life on the campus as well and that addresses other cancer research funding). @triplanetary, I was addressing date rapists as well (who are the majority of rapists to begin with). This notion that date rapists cannot or do not generally know the victim is not consenting does not square with the research. They know the victim did not consent-they know they raped. They avoid using the word to avoid stigma and because, frankly, some people think certain types of rape are okay. They usually know that drunk girls are not freely consenting and specifically seek them out for that reason. They just think that such rape is acceptable. Ideas like "it is not rape so long as she is drunk/a prostitute/wearing tight clothes" work using the premise that the victim did not consent. It is just an attempt to redefine rape/sexual assault not in terms of consent, but rather in terms of the perceived social worthiness of the victim.
>"evilwhitemalempire said… If feminist jurisprudence applied to traffic then a driver who hit a pedestrian who ran out on the freeway during rush hour would be held ENTIRELY resposible. Any attempt to question the pedestrian would amount to victim blaming."This equation would only make sense if a woman leapt, pantless and legs spread, in front of a pack of men running down the street with their erect penises preceding them.
>estring: Which rape are you referring to? A girl drinking a few beers at a party and then screwing a guy before the first date? Or an actual rape where the woman is either fighting and screaming or unable to defend herself?Let's get this straight: Just because a person has a drink or two doesn't mean that any sex they consent to is rape. Nor does it mean that any sex they don't or can't consent to isn't rape. Rape involving drugs or alcohol IS "actual rape."Depending on weight, tolerance, other medications taken, and a number of other factors, "a few beers" may be enough to get someone so drunk that they can't meaningfully consent, or not. There's no bright line law, but typically statutes have language like "a person cannot consent if they are physically helpless or mentally incapacitated." Which may not give you a clear answer about your girl who had a few beers, but should give you some guidance.Overall, MRAs have a pretty strange view on how the criminal justice system works, I find. It's actually very unpleasant filing a report and getting a rape kit. The police typically range from trying to be sympathetic to not even trying anymore. And you think women file rape reports after not being raped–just … because?Let me say it again: Rape involving drugs and alcohol is actual rape.
>String-again with the excuses. My grandpa said if you want something done, you do it. So stop making excuses as to why you are not out getting events and awareness done and just go and do it. Feminists are not required (even if they want gender equality) to do your work for you.
>String and Evilwhitevapire: Your so-called arguments are utterly vile, but okay, fine, let's play this whole "the woman had it coming" game.Now that you've mansplained the idea of personal responsibility to me, I can clearly see how the same idea can be applied to men falsely accused of rape. They too, had it coming. After all, if drunken sex, or no-strings-attached sex, so often lead to false rape accusations, then the remedy for a man is clear: don't have sex with drunk women, don't have sex with tipsy women, and don't have casual sex. Better yet, stay out of bars and clubs completely, otherwise, you are clearly asking to be falsely accused of rape. Be a good, modest boy. Don't use profanity, don't drink, don't go to parties, don't grab your crotch, don't talk like a sex-obsessed macho moron, don't ogle women like you totally want it (to be falsely accused, that is). Stay away from skanky women, hysterical women, drunk women, stoned women and women you don't know; otherwise, you are asking to be falsely accused of rape, and it's all your fault. It's best if you just go to church and save yourself for marriage. Also, if your grasp of receptive language is so poor that you can't understand the word "no", and if you so completely lack the ability to interpret non-verbal cues that you might "accidentally" force yourself on someone, then I suggest you hurry to your nearest adult day care center for the mentally challenged instead of the night club. But if you walk into a bar looking to get laid at any cost, you buy the ticket, and if you buy the ticket, you get the whole ride. Stop whining as if the victims of false rape accusations aren't at fault.There. How's victim blaming working out for you NOW , assholes?
>@Avicenna – "Crazy people exist in both genders"True, but 66% of head-meds are consumed by women.This means that there are more crazy women than men.HA!I fart in your general direction.
>@ String:Here's an analogy for you. There's a group of people who care a lot about animal rights. They've put in a lot of effort towards that end – they do fundraisers, they raise awareness and they've even managed to get some legislation passed protecting the rights of animals. Then along comes a couple people who are worried about climate change. They demand that the animal rights group immediately abandon all their work and effort to work on climate change, and almost as an afterthought point out that animals would suffer from climate change, too, so why don't these people care about animals the way they say they do? The animal rights people try to explain that this is their cause and what they're invested in, but the climate change people insist that their cause is more important. You see? People can only do so much with their limited resources and time. Perhaps if we were immortal, you'd have a point. But we're not, so you don't have a right to demand that people start working on YOUR issue, right now. However, if prostate cancer is a concern in your life, there is nothing stopping you from setting up a website, lobbying for research grants or organizing bike rides for your cause. But expecting feminists to drop what they are doing to come care for your pet issue is just one more instance of a man insisting a woman take care of his needs first.
>Monty Python objects, ScareCrow. Stop hijacking their lines–their funniness is not going to magically rub off one you.
>ScareCrow: "66% of head-meds are consumed by women.This means that there are more crazy women than men."No, it means that more women than men take psychiatric meds. They may be crazier, they may be less crazy but more likely to take medicine, they may be more likely to be prescribed medicine, they may be overprescribed when they really don't need the meds.
>Correction, Sally: their intentional funniness is not going to rub off on him. I personally find Scarecrow hilarious, but not usually in the way he intends. Unless, of course, he's doing some sort of Andy Kaufmanesque performance art, in which case he's fairly good at it.
>A query for those who wish to respond:A man and a woman are having consensual intercourse. In the middle of the act, one partner (it doesn't matter who) asks the other partner to stop. The other partner refuses to stop, and continues until finished. Has rape occurred?