I grew up on Naomi Wolf's The Beauty Myth, and I saw her speak just last month at the More Magazine women's forum "Where are the Young Feminists?" at 92Y. I have always respected her insight and looked to her as a feminist model. However, her rape-positive, blame-the-victim comments regarding this case are unforgiveable.
Look, I kind of see where she is coming from. Obviously rape happens everywhere all the time and doesn't ever get the kind of attention this case does. But that doesn't mean that once a case does get press, we critique it. What women, feminists, politicians, and public figures say about rape is phenomonally important. The public statements we make shape the social consciousness of our country. When we see cases like Kobe Bryant or Duke University - cases in which the woman accuser(s) were publically humiliated, sent death threats, and deemed to be sluts or 'asking for it' we quite literally take three steps backwards. Everyone is in our country is familiar with these cases; when we deny these women a voice, we teach every woman that rape doesn't exist. We tell them, no one will believe you. We say, keep your mouth shut. We imply, it's her fault.
Why do you think rape is the most underreported crime in the country? It's our own damn fault for not speaking out in the media. Rape is rape is rape. It is never, ever okay.
Naomi Wolf has failed me.
But we, as women, can change things, even on a micro level. Change the dialogue. Believe your friends if they've been through rape/sex assault. Understand what a massive, damaging crime it is. Be aware of your own prejudices, then change them. When your friends/family are speaking about the case, give it the weight it properly deserves.
Think critically about the narrative - is it contributing to a rape culture? Say something.
*scorpio*
Educate Yourself:
Fantasic
Feministing has a great
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