Four words really bother me (probably flogging a deceased equine, but whatever)
Last edited Sat Mar 31, 2018, 08:54 AM - Edit history (1)
"...referring to the lewd and vulgar audio recording from 2005, published Friday, in which Trump said he can “grab” women “by the pussy” because he is famous."
Perhaps he faces a lower probability of being confronted or prosecuted because of being famous, but let's be clear here. He can grab women by the pussy because he believes he has that right. He kisses women without waiting for permission because he feels he is entitled. No modifier of fame is necessary here.
I have been reading tweets and posts for the last forty-eight hours from countless women describing their sexual assaults in which men grabbed or fondled their genitals. What do all of their stories have in common? Rarely is a famous person the predator. For that matter, I haven't seen one story involving a famous person.
It's a co-worker, a fellow student, a stranger in a stairwell or on an escalator, a person in a nightclub or on a dance floor. Hell, I was groped by the uncle of the bride at a wedding I officiated as a minister!
Fame doesn't make this possible. Our society that has an overwhelming view of women as objects with no personal autonomy makes this possible.
Okay, I get it. Men get groped and assaulted as well. Because I'm focusing on women being the majority of victims doesn't mean I don't acknowledge men can be and are victims too. But it's precisely that attitude of bodies being open territory for someone else's gratification that makes victimization possible for everyone.
He doesn't assault women because he's famous. He assaults women because he feels it's his right. And plenty of non-famous people hold the same belief. And judges like in the Stanford case assert that right whether they think they are doing it or not.
Rape Culture. It's real! Acknowledge it. Face it. Stop it. Change it!