Comments | feminist_geeks: Why Rape Jokes Matter, and Why "Good" Men Should Be Called Out for Their Mistakes

myswtghst in feminist_geeks

Why Rape Jokes Matter, and Why "Good" Men Should Be Called Out for Their Mistakes

Jul 22, 2011 16:10

Behind the cut is a summary of my thoughts on Game of Thrones cast member Jason Momoa's comments at Comic-Con, along with a more general (but limited) discussion of rape in GoT. Focus is mainly on the TV show, as I have not made it through the books yet.

( Trigger Warning for Rape / Rape Culture, plus a warning for GoT Season 1 spoilers )

fantasy, asoiaf/got

Comments 8

achitophel July 22 2011, 21:42:12 UTC

Great, great thorough post. The "omg it's just a joke/he didn't MEAN it that way/just chill out~" reactions have been appalling, and show that we do still live in a rape culture :\ As for Momoa, I really wish he would apologize. From his other comments he seems to realize the gravity of rape, I wish he would own up to his mistake.

fearlessfirefly July 22 2011, 21:55:16 UTC

What an absolutely spot-on post. I'm still waiting for Momoa to come out and apologize, but the cynical part of me isn't holding its breath for that to happen any time soon. Linked to this post on my Tumblr, hope you don't mind :)

myswtghst July 22 2011, 22:24:07 UTC

No problem, thank you. :) Also, serious icon ♥♥♥

mythrai July 22 2011, 22:44:26 UTC

What a dick, I hope he apologizes (though I'm not gonna hold my breath.)

The first couple of episodes of GoT were really hard to watch and not that George RR Martin is the epitome of sensitivity to begin with, but I felt like the savagery of the Dothraki was heightened a lot in the show (particularly during the wedding scene and the rapes), and Dany's consent, which while questionable in the books since Dany is only 13, is at least there. I get that with only 10 hours, they've got to up the ante for Dany's arc, I'm just tired of rape being the go-to for ante-upping.

imnotasquirrel July 22 2011, 23:21:25 UTC

What? That's disgusting. It makes me think of that survey in which 1/3 of the men polled said that they'd rape someone if they thought they could get away with it. Even if Momoa's comments were meant to be a joke, they're still reinforcing the sort of rape culture we live in.

riotlounge July 22 2011, 23:30:04 UTC

Jason's comments were absolutely unacceptable, and I assume people stanning for him are still buying into the notion of men never making mistakes, or that being hot or an actor means you don't have awful opinions or say bad things.

He needs to apologize, and I hope HOPE someone spoke with him afterwards and he makes amends publicly. While we're wishing for things that probably didn't happen, it'd be nice if he donated to a charity that helps rape and abuse victims. :<

GOT was really hard to watch for me, and it feels like did a lot with Dae's character, it still didn't sit right with me all the time. I am glad she got to be a more powerful character by the end of the season though.