I disagree that rape culture demonizes men. Some people may use the term and also demonize men. Maybe this also used to be more common. Many people do not do this. I support you in being against those who demonize men. But that does not mean I will give up a useful term just because there are people who abuse it, especially when I have not seen evidence of it. The evidence you have cited is not linked to the people who are talking about rape culture that we've been talking about.
I also disagree that you can't be strongly anti-abortion and against violence toward clinics. Of course you can. I know some people, one in particular, who is strongly pro-life. Her pro-life beliefs are highly consistent. She is anti-abortion, pro-social welfare programs, anti-death penalty, anti-bombings, etc. She would be against violence toward clinics and doctors who perform abortions. The fact that some people who aren't pro-choice are violent doesn't mean there is no room for a pro-life position that is non-violent and doesn't support violent. She's also very religious. This is not a problem.
Personally, I think understanding rape culture will decrease problems for both males and females. It involves notions of treating all people with respect. People who don't get that are doing it wrong. Sure, some people are doing it wrong. But I really think they are the minority. Over and over I don't hear arguments against men by people who are against rape culture. I hear arguments against men brought up by people attacking people who are against rape culture used as weapons by them claiming they are against men. Yet I don't tend to see articles by people talking about rape culture or privilege where majorities or men are bashed, insulted, demonized, etc. Do some people do that? Sure, absolutely. There are bad people in the world. Being abusive, being an asshole isn't limited to being in power. And assholes will use whatever tools they can to be assholes with. But your evidence is not persuasive. The fact that some people misuse something is not an argument for throwing it out. Some people abuse alcohol, but I do not support prohibition.
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Re: Pt. 2 Re: "Rape culture" and the presumption of male guilt cont.
Date: 7/7/11 11:32 pm (UTC)From:I also disagree that you can't be strongly anti-abortion and against violence toward clinics. Of course you can. I know some people, one in particular, who is strongly pro-life. Her pro-life beliefs are highly consistent. She is anti-abortion, pro-social welfare programs, anti-death penalty, anti-bombings, etc. She would be against violence toward clinics and doctors who perform abortions. The fact that some people who aren't pro-choice are violent doesn't mean there is no room for a pro-life position that is non-violent and doesn't support violent. She's also very religious. This is not a problem.
Personally, I think understanding rape culture will decrease problems for both males and females. It involves notions of treating all people with respect. People who don't get that are doing it wrong. Sure, some people are doing it wrong. But I really think they are the minority. Over and over I don't hear arguments against men by people who are against rape culture. I hear arguments against men brought up by people attacking people who are against rape culture used as weapons by them claiming they are against men. Yet I don't tend to see articles by people talking about rape culture or privilege where majorities or men are bashed, insulted, demonized, etc. Do some people do that? Sure, absolutely. There are bad people in the world. Being abusive, being an asshole isn't limited to being in power. And assholes will use whatever tools they can to be assholes with. But your evidence is not persuasive. The fact that some people misuse something is not an argument for throwing it out. Some people abuse alcohol, but I do not support prohibition.