Last year, the day after Women's Day, I wrote this. I think it's time to do it again. Much has changed in the last year, for better and for worse. It is a year that has seen a war of sorts against the shame propaganda - the notion that a woman should be ashamed of being victimised and violated, either because of the way she dresses, the things she does or the simple fact of her existence. Beginning with the SlutWalks that originated in Canada (translated into the Besharmi Morcha in India), the fight has turned harder, more subversive, perhaps more effective as well.
The politics of blame has played for years with the victim, rather than the perpetrator, and over the past year I have seen several responses to this. For years, a series of "tips for the prevention of sexual assault" have focused more on the victims - tips such as "Carry a rape whistle" and "Don't leave your doors unlocked" and "Never let your drink out of your sight" - as though it is the responsibility, even the duty, of women to ensure that they don't accidentally allow themselves to be seen as susceptible or vulnerable in any way. One of the most brilliant subversions of this ridiculous blame game that I saw was this poster. Websites like This Is Not An Invitation To Rape Me have begun cropping up to change the attitude of victim-shaming that has somehow seeped into the interrogation of rape-related crime all over the world. This is necessary discourse.
And in that vein, here are my feministing links from the past year - and in some cases from even earlier. Please read/view these, I really want you to. If you have the time (and I hope you can make the time), and if you haven't already, please read/view the pieces I linked to last year as well. I'd appreciate it.
In which Eve Ensler is over it.
In which Marx is for Bros talks about the bringing up of sons that you can confidently send into the world, while Queen of the Couch talks about the bringing up of daughters who will accept nothing less than respect.
In which Nilanjana Roy describes the 2 AM rule for rapists: "I'm assuming the Delhi Police chief, Mr BK Gupta, is a conscientious man who often patrols the city at 2 in the morning." More recently, she also posts some shockingly insensitive pictures and illustrations that have accompanied news reports on rape. Also read Samar Halarnkar's round-up of the latest in a line of she-asked-for-it comments, one of which is: "Women need a dress code for their own good."
In which Gloria Steinem and Lauren Wolfe write powerfully about sexual violence against women: "Think about it: in a report on antisemitism or racism, most of the focus is on the antisemites or the racists – so why not on the sexists who victimise girls and women?" Lauren Wolfe later reports on how writing with Steinem on rape got her hated and hacked.
In which Gloria Steinem and Lauren Wolfe write powerfully about sexual violence against women: "Think about it: in a report on antisemitism or racism, most of the focus is on the antisemites or the racists – so why not on the sexists who victimise girls and women?" Lauren Wolfe later reports on how writing with Steinem on rape got her hated and hacked.
In which Katie Makkai rips apart the industry of being pretty (Video): "This is about the self-mutilating circus we have painted ourselves clowns in."
In which Anushka won't let you run her over: "You do not make me feel beautiful."
In which Sheryl Sandberg urges you not to leave before you leave (Video). As an aside, I love this woman.
In which Soni Sori, a schoolteacher from Chattisghar, writes a letter to the Supreme Court: "Was the abuse on me not enough?"
In which Ahdaf Soueif describes the revolution of young women in Egypt: "The weapon of shame can no longer be used against women."
In which Vida charts out the alarming gender ratios among book reviewers and authors reviewed in some of the most well-read literary journals, magazines and papers (two thumbs up to Granta!).
In which Soni Sori, a schoolteacher from Chattisghar, writes a letter to the Supreme Court: "Was the abuse on me not enough?"
In which Ahdaf Soueif describes the revolution of young women in Egypt: "The weapon of shame can no longer be used against women."
In which Vida charts out the alarming gender ratios among book reviewers and authors reviewed in some of the most well-read literary journals, magazines and papers (two thumbs up to Granta!).
Mandatory Book Reading: Granta Issue 115, Beautiful Thing by Sonia Faleiro, the Millennium trilogy by Steig Larsson, The Women's Room by Marylin French.
