“Lock the front door when you leave the house.”
“Put a club on your steering wheel when you park.”
“Don’t dress like you have money.”
“Don’t carry a camera out in the open.”
“Don’t act like an American.”
For my own safety, I’ve been given all of the above advice at one time or another during my life. On none of these occasions did I say “Screw you! Don’t blame the victim! I’ll wear a Rolex if I damn well please!”
Why?
Because it would not have made any sense. The people giving me the advice weren’t excusing crime, nor were they blaming me for it. Instead, they were giving me advice that they thought might help keep me safe. On every one of these occasions, I thanked them.
Don’t expect upper-middle-class white girls to do the same, though.
Oh no.
No no.
If history has taught us anything, it is that privileged white women get offended, and get offended often. There is nothing too big or too small to offend them. Much like life itself, white girl offense always finds a way.
While 2/3rds of the world lives on less than $1/day, while genocide rages on in some parts of the world, while the gap between rich and poor grows wider in our own country, while unemployment hovers near the double digits, while health care costs continue their upward spiral, while commodity inflation continues unabated, and while 1.1 million homes get foreclosed upon this year … Daddy’s Little Angel has taken to the streets for a whole different cause.
Seattle SlutWalk 2011
You see, some time ago, a police officer in Toronto opined that women might have a better shot at avoiding rape if they dressed a little more conservatively.
Did he blame women for rape?
No.
Did he say that women who dressed like sluts deserved to be raped?
Negative.
Did he advocate the passage of a law forcing women to dress more conservatively?
Nope.
Did he rape a woman to prove his point?
Uh-uh.
Did he say that it was okay to rape women?
Definitely not.
He just stated his opinion on the matter. Much like wearing a Rolex in a bad neighborhood, he suggested that dressing provocatively on the streets might draw unwanted attention.
The reaction amongst privileged white folks?
See for yourself:
Download Video: MP4
At least they kept things in perspective.
If I have but one wish for you, the reader, it is that somehow, someday … practical advice that you don’t like will be your biggest problem.
For those of you not able to attend this rally, I wish you the best of luck on your job search or solving whatever actual problem you may be currently facing.
I mean that sincerely.
I hadn’t realized that so many sluts had a BMI of over 35.
Fantastic post! I agree 100% I get sick and tired of privileged white people whining about stuff. Unfortunately it isn’t just confined to Seattle. We get our fair share here in Olympia.
In the US most cases of rape (at least among white women) are due to a person making poor choices. Going home with the random guy from the bar isn’t a good idea. I can pretty much guarantee you that he isn’t interested in “hanging out”. He just wants to get down your pants. Don’t go home with someone until you have known them for a while and are reasonably sure they are safe.
In other countries it’s a whole other story. In Pakistan, if you refuse to marry a guy, you may wind up with a face full of sulfuric acid. I wonder how Pakistani women would react to privileged white Americans marching down the street dressed like hoochies.
In the US the simplest way to avoid getting raped is to not be stupid.
Another thing, there are people in this country at risk for rape who never get mentioned by there privileged white people. People with disabilities, the elderly among others. It’s not a disabled persons fault that the caregiver service didn’t conduct a proper background check on their caregiver. Sadly if you complain that your caregiver touched you inappropriately, more than likely no one is going to do anything about it. People with disabilities and the elderly are abused all the time and these privileged white people don’t have anything to say about it. Of course these people tend to not care to much about people with disabilities or the elderly.
Twich, man. You’re killing my “game”. I hope the chicks around me aren’t reading your comments.
Just in case, time to restock the chloroform.
Sprunt do you still have that white van?