Trigger warning for a discussion of rape
I don’t often write more serious toned posts on this blog (I leave that for my tumblog where I can get all ragey… just kidding). But this is something that really stuck with me.
It’s a problem that has persisted for a long, long time. It’s something that comes up in conversation a lot. It’s a word that we use, without thought to it’s present day meaning. I’m talking about rape, but more specifically, the use of rape as humour.
The act of rape, the violent assault that is perpetrated upon a woman (and let’s face it, women face this in greater percentage than men do) is not a laughing matter. Murder isn’t even a laughing matter, but there are more jokes about rape than there are about murder. Over on tumblr, some users manage to toss around comments like “that bitch needs to get kneecapped and raped” without thought of how that will affect a reader.
We need to step back and really examine the use of the word. I know that in years past the word rape was more commonly associated with “rape seed” or the plant that we also call canola. That’s gone by the way side, as the word has been used more often to describe a vicious assault.
Rape victims are the only ones who face shaming, and even blame for being raped. Which is why a good number of rapes do not go reported. The victim is often accused of wearing the wrong clothing. From what I’ve read the wrong clothing is anything. It’s more that the offender couldn’t and didn’t want to stop himself. Rape is an act of control and power by the offender. They often times will know the victim.
We live in a world that has created a culture of rape. Where women are taught how not to get raped, but men are never taught to not rape.
This is related, and while may be seen as sort of light hearted, I think it’s a good idea for anyone that’s tired of rape jokes. Instead of getting into an argument about rape, simply do this. First, download this business card template. Print off on a set of Avery labels (business card sheets, ten to a sheet). Keep them on you in a small business card carrier. When someone cracks a rape joke, hand them a card.
They look like this. Here’s the front.
And here’s the back.
The wording on the back might be a bit harsh, but it also might grab attention.
Maybe it’ll also change a few minds.
Turn the Page 