I never could have anticipated that when I signed into Facebook today I would be seeing headline after headline with the words “Legalize Rape”.
As an American citizen, we are afforded certain rights such as the right to assemble and free speech (First Amendment) without government interference. On the flip side, using these freedoms to infringe upon the rights of others seems to be a common trend among privileged Americans these days.
One such case is Daryush Valizadeh, better known as Return of Kings blogger Roosh V, an outspoken supporter of “legal rape if done on private property” [1] who began to organize “International Meetup Day” in at least 43 countries for his supporters. Naturally in response to this news many people began to organize counter protests.
**UPDATE** The following message was posted on the ROK site **UPDATE**
“I can no longer guarantee the safety or privacy of the men who want to attend on February 6, especially since most of the meetups can not be made private in time. While I can’t stop men who want to continue meeting in private groups, there will be no official Return Of Kings meetups. The listing page has been scrubbed of all locations. I apologize to all the supporters who are let down by my decision.”
I have never been one who’s been particularly politically active, because I consider a good majority of politicians to be greedy and selfish people with little to no regard for their constituents, however this incident has brutally reminded me why my generation is so angry with society.
Unfortunately we live in a heavily patriarchal society that isn’t just harmful women* but harmful to men* as well [trans/non-binary/ace/non identifying inclusive]. Our society is so heavily oppressed that the very officers sworn supposed to protect and serve their communities can get away shooting unarmed civilians even receiving a raise, promotion or both. A man can rape a woman and the most likely first thing out of someone’s mouth is “what was she wearing?” A woman can molest a teenage boy and people shout “he should feel lucky” or “he enjoyed it.” Minorities can literally hold a peaceful protest and end up tear gassed. A person of color can post on social media #BlackLivesMatter or #NativeLivesMatter or #MexicanLivesMatter and suddenly find their inboxes/mentions filled to the brim of bigoted privileged people viciously accusing them of racism while screaming back #AllLivesMatter.
If I am completely honest, the news of Roosh V even attempting such a thing doesn’t even shock me anymore. The mere fact that there are people who live and breathe on this planet and wholeheartedly believe the sexual violation of another human being is something that should be okay just depresses me.
It seems no matter how technologically advanced we become as a society we’ll still have barbarians.
Sources
- Chasmar, Jessica. “‘Legal Rape’ Blogger Organizes Covert Meetings for Men across U.S.”Washington Times. The Washington Times, 2 Feb. 2. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. <http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/feb/2/roosh-v-pro-rape-activist-organizes-covert-meeting/
- Jones, Jeremy. “”Legalize Rape” Protest Scheduled for Piedmont Park in Atlanta – GAFollowers.”GAFollowers. GAFollowers, LLC., 2016. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. <http://www.gafollowers.com/legalize-rape-protest-piedmont-park-atlanta/>.
- “The Bill of Rights: A Transcription.”National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. <http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html>.
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