On the subject of "whore's uniforms"...
Normally, I don’t share pictures like this, but both my brother and one of my cousins decided to do so. As a target of this attitude by mere virtue of my chromosomal combination, this has me so mad that I can’t let it go without publically commenting. I was going to comment on their posts, too, but this got way too long.
Actually, it got too long for Facebook. So, here it goes on LJ.
No one gets a free pass from the SusanHammer when they deserve it; just ask Winddancer. You’re family, and I love you, but if you post something offensive, I still have to call you out on it.
Seriously? Seriously? You realize the logical end to this argument is that women (I doubt you apply this sentiment to men’s dress) should all wear burqas, right?
Don’t believe me? Try to define what’s *not* a “whore’s uniform”. I guarantee I can find a fetish costume or fetish website for it, including burqas.
No matter what defense you give this philosophy - there’s still an explicit agreement between a whore and his or her client on what acts he or she performs/allows in exchange for compensation. That doesn’t exist in cases of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or rape, even when the victim is a whore. On top of that, just because you’re payin’, that does *not *make your date a whore.
This sort of victim-blaming crap just illustrates how much misogyny is ingrained in our society, and why rape and sexual harassment go so underreported by women (and men). It’s also why sex offenders think that their actions are perfectly okay and are surprised when they do get prosecuted.
Don’t tell me it was “just a joke”. Don’t tell me it wasn’t intended “that way”. Don’t tell me you didn’t come up with it, so it’s not your fault. You shared it without comment, which means you share in the responsibility for spreading this attitude. Didn’t think it was “that big of a deal”? That’s why you’re part of the problem.
We disagree on politics? That’s fine. I expect and respect that. I know how liberal I am. This, however, is about basic human rights.
Nothing excuses sexual harassment or rape. How people dress does not give anyone special privileges over the bodies of others. If the way someone is dressed tempts your inner demons of sin (thank you, Berke Breathed) beyond your ability to control, then that’s your problem, not theirs.
You should be ashamed of yourselves for posting this. For some stupid reason, I expected better of you.