Globally
and historically, we're the number one cause of injury and mayhem to
women. We're the worst thing that ever happens to them”
Louis
C.K.
I'm
a man. Most of the time I like being a man; but sometimes I wonder
what life would be like as a woman. That might have sounded a little
strange. This is not me having a gender identity crisis. I'm very
comfortable with my gender. Maybe on some level I don't like being
me; but that's a whole other long and complicated story. I think I'm
just angry at men in general at this moment.
What
has made me so angry at MANkind?
The story of a former teacher, Stacey Dean Rambold who
had admitted to repeatedly raping his student who was 14
years old at the time and was
sentenced to just 30 days
in prison. The victim, Cherice
Moralez committed suicide just before her 17th
birthday. Her mother who had
testified that the rape was a major factor in her daughters suicide
repeatedly screamed “you people suck!” in the courtroom after
hearing the sentence.
 |
Stacey
Rambold - Sentenced 30 days
|
Judge
Todd Baugh who was presiding over the case initially sentenced the
teacher to 15 years in prison but suspended the sentence to just 30
days. I don't know what makes me angrier, the verdict or what the
judge later said in court; Judge Baugh said that the victim was was
“older than her chronological age" and
"as much in control of the situation"
as her teacher (WTF?).
 |
The
Victim - Cherice Moralez
|
When
did it become even remotely okay to blame the VICTIM for
being raped? I must have missed that memo. Rambold's attorney, had
also argued that Rambold had "already suffered as a result of
his conduct," losing his career and his standing in the
community.
 |
Judge
Baugh - The Eejit
|
Poor
man..I feel really “sorry” that a rapist lost his job; the
respect of the people in his community and will have to be registered
as a sex offender for the rest of his life. What about Cherice
Moralez? Didn't she suffer as well? She took her own life! I'm
guessing he doesn't feel responsible about that as well? And in less
than a month he will be back on the streets living his
life.
Unfortunately
many cases of rape go unreported in the United States. The fear and
stigma associated with being a rape victim is overwhelming. For those
that do find the courage to come forward it doesn't mean that they
will get justice. The irony is that by even serving the 30 days
Rambold will be facing some “justice.”
According
to the RAINN, a anti-sexual abuse network 97 out of every 100 rapists
never go to jail. RAINN studied Justice Department data and concluded
that “only about one out of four reported rapes leads
to an arrest, and only about one out of four arrests leads to a
felony conviction and incarceration.” Sigh..no
justice, no peace.
The
quote at the top was made by Louis C.K. from his show “Oh My God.”
And he does make a good point. WE are the worst thing that ever
happens to them; maybe not so much now. Sure, things have improved
over the centuries and men are a lot more civilized and gentrified.
But not always; sometimes our behaviour leaves a lot to be desired.
I
was listening to the Runaway Thoughts podcast and someone asked the
question “How often do you think that men are unaware of how
degrading/disrespectful men are being to women.” And the
unequivocal answer was “men don't realize they're being sexist 100%
of the time.”
Well
Judge Baugh realized his mistake a little too late. He later
apologized for what he had said; though I think he was more worried
about his re-election next year. Dear Montanans, please elect someone
else instead of that fucking idiot. If you decided to re-elect him
you'll only have yourselves to blame.
I
can't remember who exactly said this; I think it might have been Joe
Rogan on his podcast (I listen to a lot of podcasts). He made the
point that men should have to experience want women go through on a
daily basis; all the harassment and sexism from men. And I understand
what he's trying to say. There are a lot of things I will never have
to experience as a man. Like harassment in public by other men.
As a man, I
can take a bus or train without another man behaving like a creep
towards me. As a man, I have the privilege to walk anywhere I
want and have my personal space be respected. As a man, I
never have to experience what it feels like when I'm walking down a
street alone and a group of men start making disgusting comments. As
a man, I'm able to pass by a construction site and I'm pretty
sure I will not be disrespected with comments about how I'm dressed
or how my body looks.
Of course some
guys actually think they are giving women a compliment, they think
that women like being treated like a piece of meat by strangers. It
is absolutely a form of harassment and any guy in this day and age
should just know better. It is a big deal and it's not funny. So for
all the guys out there who maybe have never considered this before,
please watch what you say and how you behave. Sexual harassment of
anyone is terrible and should not be accepted. Treat people with
respect.
And I don't want
to give the impression that all construction workers or men are pigs.
After all I'm a man and I hope I'm not considered one as well.
Generally speaking the overwhelming majority of men and women are
decent human beings. Not all construction workers and men are creeps.
Just the creepy ones.
Here
are some links:
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