"SlutWalkDC"
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2011-08-11/slutwalkdc
What's in a name? This weekend, women and men from around our region will converge at the White House for D.C.'s first "SlutWalk." It's part of a global movement of young feminists trying to raise awareness about sexual assault and challenge sexist attitudes by reclaiming a hurtful word. But the language and the dress code of this grassroots movement is also generating a backlash. We talk with organizers of SlutWalkDC.
Guests
Carmen Rios
Co-organizer, SlutWalk DC; Director of Women's Initiative at American University
Aiyi'nah "SimplyNay" Ford
Artist and Activist
Ben Privot
Creator, The Consensual Project
Comments
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When my kids were teens, I told my son not to go out dressed like a thug, and I told my daughter not to go out dressed like a tramp. This doesn't mean I condone assault. Get real.
It must be clear to all that when any person says "STOP" to any kind of physical contact that command has to be obeyed without any further question.
But it must also be clear that sexual signals, including sexual receptivity, are most often transmitted by indirect cues. Thus, the entire dance of sexual flirtation & communication is carried out in very subtle ways.
Dress conveys a strong signal about the sexual proclivities of the wearer. So one should always be aware that wrong signals can be transmitted & be easily misunderstood. The confusion that this generates can have very bad consequences.
First, I thought the woman who discussed her own history of abuse was very brave. Kudos to you!
However, I don't see what would be wrong if she did choose to date women because of your experience being abused by a man. Plenty of women openly made such a decision in the '70s for reasons along this line.
I would also like to say to the caller who said it was just general safety to be aware of how one is dressed--I noticed you used the term "people." But as a woman, I can tell you I'm hyper aware of how I'm dressed ALL the time, because I do get sexually harassed. I end up asking myself if it happens more when I wear these pants that those pants, etc.
If thousands of women are gathering because they have been called "sluts," it doesn't have to do with the individual; it has to do with the society.
Thank you.
womononajourney.wordpress.com
I just wanted to say thanks for airing this. It was so nice to hear an earnest discussion about what SlutWalk is actually about.