Reading Susan Brownmiller’s article was interesting. I follow her point
that rapists in actuality are not how they typically portrayed. They often work
in groups and commit the crimes fully knowing what they are going to do, often
regardless of the woman involved. If they are acting alone, they are prone to
violence in other areas and have often committed earlier crimes.
I am not sure if I agree with her argument that rape is a crime committed
against all women because it causes women to be afraid. I think this leaves out
that anyone can be a rapist and anyone could be raped, to limit it to one
gender would be foolish. I also have to wonder about placing women in fear. I cannot
think of a time that I ever really felt that I could be sexually assaulted. I
know that it is statistically possible, but it has not really crossed my mind. I
am sure there are people who have thought the opposite of me, but there
certainly are those who think similarly. I know that I have changed some of my
actions based on location, time, etc., but it has been mostly a subconscious thing.
Nevertheless, I do think that this also has something to do general
surroundings as well. Being from a small and rural town in the Midwest, rape is
not talked about as often as I image it is in cities.
Another thing that I thought of after these readings is all of the things
that women are told about avoiding getting raped or assault, as if it is her
fault. I remembered our discussion in class earlier in the semester when we
discovered that most if not all of the women in our class had been taught to
hold her keys in between her fingers as she walked to her car. In a similar
fashion, I have been told to check my passenger side tires if I am ever driving
alone, just in case someone puts a tack down to pop a tire. My grandma has sent
me several of those chain emails that warn about some woman who was followed by
an unmarked car who turned out to be some rapist—telling us to dial some number
if we are ever pulled over. When my dad found out that I was going to get a
ride from a male friend and stay over at his house, he told me to make sure
that I tell my other friends where I was. I have also been told to park in lit
areas and to ask for escorts if I want them. I’m sure that most women have been
told similar things as precautions against some sort of violence or rape. It is
unnerving that these pieces of advice are so ingrained into our culture.
I think that Rita touches upon an interesting point by discussing how rape does not necessarily factor into her conscious decision making. Like Rita, I am from a rural area where rape is not as prevalent as it is in a more metropolitan setting. Despite this, though, as Rita points out, as a culture, and as women, the decisions to avoid potentially dangerous situations are not always made on the conscious level. I have often changed plans to ensure my safety at night and have been taught through my family, and society as a whole, ways in which to protect myself and precautions to take while alone. Therefore, just because women may not be consciously worried about rape or sexual harassment at all times, the ways in which they act are still preventative despite being unconscious.
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