Class Discussion, 3/5

After reading the article about AR Wear -- A clothing line offering wearable protection for when things go wrong. You know, it is not a bad idea, but realistically, how many girls will end up purchasing one these? After I read the introduction, I felt sort of inspired by this idea. AR Wear stated,

"Rape is about as wrong as it gets. The only one responsible for a rape is the rapist and AR Wear will not solve the fundamental problem that rape exists in our world. Only by raising awareness and education, as well as bringing rapists to justice, can we all hope to eventually accomplish the goal of eliminating rape as a threat to both women and men,"

was inspiring in itself. The idea behind a garment that only frustrates attackers is a very solid idea, however, I do doubt the success behind it. And I wonder why I am first hearing about this and it hasn't been discussed among popular opinion.  Made out of a resistant webbing and cut resistant straps, the product is designed to show tough wear and tear and not allowing an attacker to remove this piece of clothing.

I read the review from Ellen Snortland, Lawyer Activist Author Playwright from the USA Today article. Her snarky and sarcastic tone made me laugh and I also do agree with her. Unfortunately, if there was a piece of clothing that could help prevent rape, then that would be nice, but I believe that Snortland has a more significant outlook on the unfortunate crime of rape. 

Snortland states, "So, in the spirit of "Got Fight?," please don't buy or fund anti-rape panties. Instead, help us get our education out to the many people who could use less medieval attitudes, and more practical resistance tactics.

News flash! Despite entertainment depictions to the contrary, men and boys are simply flesh and blood. A well-placed heel-palm, knee to the groin, or eye-strike works wonders!

Susan B. Anthony had it right."

With this being her conclusion, I agree. Unfortunately, men do have a driving force behind things other than their brain. And until we begin to educate properly and shift our focus on men and not the victims, we may still find ourselves in the same place we are now in today.

I do believe that another challenge will follow with that and we talk about it constantly in class, but the idea of the cultural norm. Unfortunately, just like racism, rape is in the roots of society. I remember reading texts that state rape can go as far back as the Vikings or Mongolians. (Which I am sure it goes back way further than that.)  Our society is past the fragile point, we are are trying to change and improve something that is so deeply rooted that we have a lot of digging to do before we begin to see a change. Sure, we can attempt to make rape proof pants or attempt to share the necessary knowledge about rape to the surrounding others, but unfortunately, until we start digging past these points, we may see some change.