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Tui ([identity profile] labellementeuse.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] labellementeuse 2005-11-30 03:37 am (UTC)

Well, I would agree that it is a little one-eyed, but I think it is deliberately so. You regularly- it seems to me- make the mistake of thinking that if something is totally onesided in its presentation, it is therefore either useless, or unaware of reality, or both. This one, I think, yes, it is one-sided. But I think it is trying to make a point- with the one you suggested- that every time a man- or a woman- tells a woman she shouldn't walk home after dark, he or she is, probably unintentionally, propagating the notion that it is a woman's responsibility to prevent her own rape. This isn't saying that women shouldn't try to be safe; it's saying that women shouldn't have to try to be safe, and that today's society is totally geared towards propagating that idea- misguidedly thinking that it is the right thing to do to prevent rape.

EVERYONE needs to take responsibility for their own safety

BZZZT, false answer. If I don't want to be responsible I damn well won't be- and it still isn't my fault if I get raped or mugged. NO-ONE should have to be responsible for their own safety, because no-one is responsible when they come to harm. I think knowing that it is more common to get raped after dark, etc, that's fine so that if you chose to take steps to keep safe (as I do) you can. But no-one should say that I should do this. Because should means "moral obligation to." And I should have no moral obligation (as opposed to practicality) to keep myself safe: it is the moral obligation of others not to harm me.

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