And now, for something very serious...
***TW: discussions of rape***
**This is a re-post of what I've just put up on Facebook, so apologies for those who are seeing this twice**
So, a lot has been said over at the NRA Convention lately. And while I have strong feelings about guns and gun control I am not going to touch on that this evening. What I do want to comment on is how some people have tried to use rape and fear as tools to try and sell firearms.
The only thing preventing your daughter from being a rape victim is a gun? Actually, no. The only thing preventing your children, spouses, neighbours, teachers, lovers, friends, grandparents, cousins, coworkers, from being raped is YOU and your decision NOT to rape, and your ability to recognize that phrases such as this one are a direct result of RAPE CULTURE.
We live in a world where we tell each other "don't get raped" instead of "don't rape." Where we tell victims, "you probably deserved that" and rapists, "you just couldn't help yourself."
Let's change this, shall we? Starting. Right. Now.
End the victim blaming. End the rapist sympathizing. Open your eyes to the truth.