"We live in a world where we're taught 'Don't get raped' instead of 'Don't rape!'.." Anonymous
In case you haven't heard of "
SlutWalk" here's a little backstory...
After several reported rapes on the campus of York University in Toronto, Officer Michael Sanguuinetti told a group of young women that they should avoid "dressing like sluts" to prevent further incidents.
And thus was born.. SlutWalk!
Activists Heather Jarvis and Sonya Barntet organized a rally of "Sluts" to publicly expose the idea that women who are in control of their own sexuality should not be targets of physical or social violence.
These rallies have been popping up all over Canada and the US, with tens of thousands of women showing up to support the cause.
The movement is not, however, without protest from some of it's own initial supporters. The use of the word "Slut" has been a highly controversial topic within the Feminist community. Some argue that the word or label inherently condones both women and men to behave irresponsibly. Rather than erasing the stigma of the "Slut" they are embracing it, and thus reducing the idea that the way a woman carries herself comes down to her behavior in the bedroom. Another school of thought blames the movement for making promiscuity seem "cool" and "political".
Whether you find Slutdom empowering or degrading, dangerous or powerful, you should at leas check out the
SlutWalk that is happening in LA today. Look at what they're saying, and form your own opinion. Then, share that opinion - and lets open up a real place where we can talk about rape and victimization of sexualized women.
SlutWalk LA
West Hollywood Park
647 N San Vicente Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Saturday, June 4
12:00 noon
Thank you.
