Steubenville

I am disturbed this morning by some news that I would like to share with you. I don't know if you have heard of Steubenville, Ohio, but I would like to tell you about it.

Once upon a time, there was a party composed of drunk teenagers, who had learned not to drink and drive. What they hadn't learned was: what rape is. The boys involved in the rape of a 16 year old, teenagers themselves, were convicted as juveniles, of rape.

Now, this is disturbing for everyone involved, as well as those who just read about it. But, the rape hasn't ended yet. Jane Doe/Steubenville is now receiving death threats.

So now this issue is about the adults in the case: the adults before, beyond, and in charge of the boys, the families. They are sending death threats to a rape victim, just in case she hasn't had enough.

This is disturbing enough in so many ways. But what bothers me at this hour of the morning is seeing some posts on Facebook addressed to Kimberley A. Johnson, who is a women's rights advocate from California. Apparently, she too, is appalled that adults and family and friends of the convicted rapists are sending death threats to Jane Doe/Steubensville.

In the middle of a discussion on rape and rape culture, one man, we'll call him Tomm, cause that's his name, pulled the "You gotta pay for it" card. He asked if women could be convicted of rape under the same conditions. Of course they can, was Kimberley's reply.

His response goes on, though: 'Are ya sure? Cause if you want equal rights, you know we'll hold you to the same standard...' I am paraphrasing here.

Apparently Tomm thinks that we love the convenience of Ladies' Nights at bars so much, and hold the tradition of having doors opened for us, (except in any real way) so tightly, and we are so frightened of being held accountable under the law, that we will give up equal consideration under the Law for it.

Bring it out into the sunlight, Tomm!

Just say what you are thinking: That the threat, and it is phrased as a threat, of Equal Rights is just too much for us to handle in this great big, bad world. Why, if women were held accountable under the Law, common courtesy and the lovely tenets of the world we live in would just crumble! 'Equal pay for equal work means no frilly skirts and lipstick, you ladies know you just love lipstick: it's a dog eat dog world out there, and you ladies just couldn't handle it. ' Again I am extrapolating from his word and tone.

That many women deal with issues too much for many, is part of the picture that Tomm doesn't get. Golly Gee, Batman! The world he is defending never existed. Women and rape and violence have co-existed with all of Humanity. For every '50's housewife and Victorian 'Lady' protected by common assumptions of what society should be, there was always another in mortal danger to being raped and beaten everyday. Because there was no Equality under the Law.

That is what I am tired of hearing: that women, given the choice of wearing lipstick and pencil skirts, and having equal rights, SHOULD choose the lipstick, every time. Why, what would this world be, if we valued women's gifts?

And I have no pretty thoughts today, although I feel fine. I just hold an anonymous 16 year old in my thoughts, who has learned too early just how despicable some people can be. She is now serving a life sentence for rape. Apparently, some people would like it to be a short one.