I'm not sure there is a single solution. It's not like we can just enact a strategy that will solve the problem in a day, a month, a year... Or even a decade. Our strategy is instead to shine a light on Injustice whenever we see it, and Hope eventually people will see it for what it is. Feminist are the ones I see consistently shining a light on women's issues. They also shine a light on how dehumanizing the patriarchy is for men as well. I mean, the common conception is that if a woman dresses a certain way, then she is bound to be raped, because we men are just incapable of seeing a pretty lady without raping her. That's a pretty raw deal for both sexes.
Feminism makes the point that it is the culture that's the problem, not the men. That men aren't some flawed sex crazed perverts who can't help but rape... But rather, our culture is flawed in that it perpetuates the ideas That women are made for raping, and men are made to rape. And in fact, neither idea is remotely true....
But there is no easy solution. There is this. Right here, what we are doing, discussing it. Examining those harmful notions our society carries, and eventually discarding them for better ones. I've seen folks who aren't feminist doing that work... But I've seen a whole helluva lot more who ARE doing that work all day every day.
Interesting insights to the idea that culture is an issue. I didn't know that was the position.
We can focus on how we raise both our boys and our girls. I get annoyed about how our culture makes sexualizing women an accepted thing. AND.. I completely agree, that nobody has the right to rape anyone no matter what they are wearing!
I did not want to teach my girls to seek that type of behavior either though... I think the conversations in today's politically charged "Hot Topics" can be hard, due to what we are "allowed to say".
I really appreciate you being willing to discuss your perspective.
I appreciate you being willing to listen to my perspective. And of course, I don't speak for any feminist except myself. There may come along a whole slew of self identified feminist who disagree with me completely. But this is Feminism as I understand it. It's not tsunami, erasing the problems women face in an hour, it's a trickle that swells to a flood, altering the landscape of public discourse slowly, but inexorably...
I respect how you conducted the conversation. Sadly I usually only hear a defensive tone when I try to understand. Thank you!
Understood, regarding who and what you represent... (yourself) Again, respect.