Summernats
What can I say about this annual car show held in Canberra? Not much really, seeing as I've never gone. I never ever want to either.
It's a real shame.
Secretly I love fast cars, big engines, burning rubber and heaps of smoke, loud sound systems, nice interiors, and beautiful paint jobs, thick tyres, shinny rims and spoilers, tinted windows... etc etc. Yes, I like cars.
But I never want to go to Summernats because of the people that go there, the sponsors, the management, the lack of security, and because I'm a GIRL.
I'm scared as fuck to go there. I don't want to be harassed, see/hear others being harassed or be around people who think it's okay or get a laugh or enjoyment out of harassing others.
If you don't know what I'm talking about take a look at these articles -
The Daily Telegraph - New video of Summernats mob - "At least one young woman was reduced to tears and was shielded by a male companion as the mob, which covered 5km around Exhibition Park without being stopped, yelled at women to take their shirts off."
Sexism alive and doing well in Australia - "Sexist comments were hurled at women attending the Summernats car show in Canberra like, “Tits or rubber!” One man was captured on film chasing a woman while reportedly screaming at her to get her breasts out. Men’s magazines like Street Machine who sponsored the car show, have spent years encouraging this sexist mentality among motor bike and car enthusiasts. They present women as less than human, play things in their magazines and this disgraceful behaviour is the result.Yes, it was bad behaviour all round at the Summernats in Canberra (see picture be, with kids in attendance and organisers doing very little to stop it."
News.com.au - Summernats 'could lead to rape' - "festival organisers could be subject to legal action for breaches of the ACT's anti-discrimination laws. On Saturday night a drunken mob of up to 400 men overran the annual car festival, identifying women by their clothing, before surrounding them and chanting "Get your tits out!". The incident left at least one young woman cowering in tears. Security staff were apparently powerless to stop the two-hour rampage. ACT Police yesterday defended their decision not to intervene in Saturday's melee, saying they were advised by the event's private security staff their presence was not required.
That sort of stuff happens every year. Why do fucking (MALE!!) morons have to ruin it others? I wish I could go. I'd love to see all the magnificent cars on show and the competitions and be able to acknowledge the amazing drivers and people who put money into and work on the cars.. But I'll never be able to. Not there. Not ever.
Seriously, what would you say? Would you want go (particularly if you're a girl)?
It's a real shame.
Secretly I love fast cars, big engines, burning rubber and heaps of smoke, loud sound systems, nice interiors, and beautiful paint jobs, thick tyres, shinny rims and spoilers, tinted windows... etc etc. Yes, I like cars.
But I never want to go to Summernats because of the people that go there, the sponsors, the management, the lack of security, and because I'm a GIRL.
I'm scared as fuck to go there. I don't want to be harassed, see/hear others being harassed or be around people who think it's okay or get a laugh or enjoyment out of harassing others.
If you don't know what I'm talking about take a look at these articles -
The Daily Telegraph - New video of Summernats mob - "At least one young woman was reduced to tears and was shielded by a male companion as the mob, which covered 5km around Exhibition Park without being stopped, yelled at women to take their shirts off."
Sexism alive and doing well in Australia - "Sexist comments were hurled at women attending the Summernats car show in Canberra like, “Tits or rubber!” One man was captured on film chasing a woman while reportedly screaming at her to get her breasts out. Men’s magazines like Street Machine who sponsored the car show, have spent years encouraging this sexist mentality among motor bike and car enthusiasts. They present women as less than human, play things in their magazines and this disgraceful behaviour is the result.Yes, it was bad behaviour all round at the Summernats in Canberra (see picture be, with kids in attendance and organisers doing very little to stop it."
News.com.au - Summernats 'could lead to rape' - "festival organisers could be subject to legal action for breaches of the ACT's anti-discrimination laws. On Saturday night a drunken mob of up to 400 men overran the annual car festival, identifying women by their clothing, before surrounding them and chanting "Get your tits out!". The incident left at least one young woman cowering in tears. Security staff were apparently powerless to stop the two-hour rampage. ACT Police yesterday defended their decision not to intervene in Saturday's melee, saying they were advised by the event's private security staff their presence was not required.
That sort of stuff happens every year. Why do fucking (MALE!!) morons have to ruin it others? I wish I could go. I'd love to see all the magnificent cars on show and the competitions and be able to acknowledge the amazing drivers and people who put money into and work on the cars.. But I'll never be able to. Not there. Not ever.
Seriously, what would you say? Would you want go (particularly if you're a girl)?