week 10 – resisting violence against women
June 13, 2010
Unfortunately, while researching headlines for this class, I find far too many examples of violence against women. We hear news stories daily of women raped, beaten, murdered. The statistics provided are astonishing. Many of us have been, or will be, subject to acts of violence in this world. But hearing how women are fighting back – with their words, with their ideas, and with their resources – is hopeful. There are plenty of reports of institutionalized violence towards – and trafficking of – women around the globe, but we will also learn how close to home violence can hit.
Rape is always a difficult topic. Far too many women have been sexually violated. Kahn’s article is an interesting study on women’s perceptions of rape, and whether they label experiences as such. She provides insightful analysis that raises even more questions. Debra Ann Davis’s piece on how the socialization of politeness affected her rape is powerful. We may hear brutal news stories of women raped and murdered, but rarely does someone recount such a personal tale. Imagine how hard, yet how healing, it must have been for her to write this article.
Photo by Grant Neufeld
This is a hard – and often depressing – chapter to study. Shortly, we will cover ideas on activism, which will give you ideas on how to channel your feelings into action.
Chapter 10 readings
Textbook readings:
- Chapter 10 introduction, 3rd ed.: p.554-577; 4th ed.: p.555-577
- Reading 79/76 “Beyond the Politics of Inclusion: Violence Against Women of Color and Human Rights”, Smith, 3rd & 4th eds.: p.578-580
- Reading 80/77 “Human Rights: Sex Trafficking and Prostitution”, Leuchtag, 3rd & 4th eds.: p.581-587
- Reading 81 “Letter from Juárez”, Katzarova, 3rd ed.: p.587-589; 4th ed.: not available
- Reading 78 “Deaths That Cry Out”, Washington Valdez, 3rd ed.: not available; 4th ed.: p.587-589
- Reading 82/79 “Betrayed by the Angel: What Happens When Violence Knocks and Politeness Answers?”, Davis, 3rd ed.: p.589-592; 4th ed.: p.590-593
- Reading 83 “What College Women Do and Do Not Experience as Rape”, Kahn, 3rd ed.: p.593-601; 4th ed.: not available
- Reading 80 “Campus Sexual Violence”, Carr, 3rd ed.: not available; 4th ed.: p.593-599
- Reading 85/81 “Lisa’s Ritual, Age 10″, Bridges, 3rd ed.: p.608-609; 4th ed.: p.600
- Reading 87/83 “War Crimes”, Clarkson, 3rd ed.: p.613-614; 4th ed.: p.605-606
- Reading 84 “Reclaiming Our Mojo”, Fonda, 3rd ed.: not available; 4th ed.: p.606-610
Supplemental readings:
- “Ladies Beware: How fearmongering spam helps keep real threats out of the spotlight”, Papadopoulis, Bitch, No. 36, p.34-39. [Available on Blackboard.]
- College Senior Is Sexually Assaulted While Group Of Dudes Cheer May 7, 2008 http://jezebel.com/388169/college-senior-is-sexually-assaulted-while-group-of-dudes-cheer
- Holla Back New York City – If You Can’t Slap ‘Em, Snap ‘Em! http://www.hollabacknyc.blogspot.com/
- Stopping subway creeps? There’s an app for that: A smart new way to fight back with your iPhone. Rebekah Spicuglia. July 8, 2010. NY Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/07/08/2010-07-08_stopping_subway_creeps_theres_an_app_
for_that_a_smart_new_way_to_fight_back_with.html
- “Why Don’t Battered Women Just Leave?“ Koch. Ha! http://www.ibiblio.org/hazine/battered.html
- Photo journal: Tales of rape in DR Congo BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/africa_tales_of_rape_in_dr_congo/html/1.stm
- Violence Against Women is Justified, Says Pupil Study. BBC. February 15, 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8516387.stm
- A Horrific Crime: ‘Til Death Do Us Part Oprah Winfrey Show
July 28, 2006. http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/oprahshow1_ss_20060503 - My Vagina Was My Village. From The Vagina Monologues. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hoafl4B_noI
- City Of Dead Girls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_dLdhmBptM
