Democratic Underground - My f*ed up family speaks out --

(Double posting in GD)

Okay, a little background--I am the "good" grandchild in my family--the one who went to college first, and got married to a good man, and has an amazing beautiful child and a rewarding (if not lucrative) career. My family (mother's side) is pretty messed up, but made up of generally alright types.

However, one of my aunts has a habit of sending out these mass emails, usually jokes (as I told her to stop sending me her right-wing propaganda months ago), but today it was an email about how to avoid rape, including such sage advice as:

Avoid grocery store parking lots at night

Rapists tend to go after victims who have long hair--short haired women are victimized less often

Rapists look for victims whose clothing it will be easy to remove

and other gems...

So I "reply-all"ed, and said that there is another option, other than living in fear, which is refusing to support our cultural standard of accepting violence against women. I suggested reading a little Inga Muscio for empowerment and I linked to an article I wrote a few weeks ago about the prevalence of rape in our culture.

I got back the following two messages so far:

one of the points of awareness is so that you may not live in fear everyday.
I certainly don't.
Was a smart move that my Mom made when she sent us to self-defense class.
Not to kick ass - but for awareness - how to carry yourself with confidence. There's no such thing as being too cautious.
It's a fact that the world is a different place for females than for males. Yes it's ridiculous - but it's also reality.
This country is YEARS ahead of third world countries. Count your blessings that we are not living in the Victorian age and that thousands - millions of woman (AND men) have been working toward the end goal of equality. To not "support" what has become of our American culture is a step backwards and could be considered anti-American.
So - - - no thanks, I don't need to read Inga Muscio.

and

Ya know, you're right. Tomorrow, I'm wearing my hot pants and halter top to all the places I need to go. I may even go to a few i shouldn't just because i SHOULD be able to....No need in making an extra effort in being safe. It should just be expected. WORSHIP ME WORLD and don't hurt me for I am just a simple woman. After all we are all the same creature...aren't we?

WAKE UP!

Why do women insist on hating themselves and each other?

My f*ed up family speaks out -- [View All]

**My f*ed up family speaks out --** [View All]