One of America’s biggest problems is constantly happening under our noses and then being covered up. This will not go undetected any longer. This year a vast amount of empowering citizens have taken a stand and projected their voice to the country about how they’ve been taken advantage of by someone in a position of power. In 2016 and 2017 over sixteen accusations were made towards our president, Donald Trump, for assault and rape. It doesn’t end with political leaders though, so many famous actors and actresses have come out in recent years saying the ways they were mistreated in Hollywood.
On January 21, 2017 around the world millions of people varying in all ethnicities and genders came together at Women's Marches to celebrate women of all shapes and sizes, shed light on many issues, and to shut down rape culture. Females and males are fed up with the progression of rape culture in our society. These inspired feminists continue to shed light on this “touchy” subject. Feminists all over the country are standing up for their rights and taking away leadership from alleged rapists in power.
Many people refuse to listen to the actual definition of rape culture, which is a society that promotes sexual abuse and rape. The other common misconceptions about rape culture is that it only affects females. While most derogatory comments are made towards females, males can also fall victim. These subtle or not so subtle actions can range from song lyrics to how the justice system treats rape victims. Looking more in depth into the popular song “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke, you can see multiple examples of rape culture. The song itself is based off of the highly incorrect ideology that consent is just a blurred line. This idea that consent can be bended to the perpetrators want is a definite example of rape culture.
There is so much ignorance and misconceptions when it comes to rape, rape culture, feminism and consent. It is considered rape if the victim is drunk, drugged, asleep, does not actually have control over the scenario or has not given consent to the predator. Rape does not only start and end with females being the victim. Being raped is a horrible experience for everyone no matter your gender, race or sexual orientation. If you are raped, it is not your fault no matter the circumstances; you were taken advantage of.
Another extremely common idea is that feminism is working to make females “better than males”. This is not true. If a women or man is working to make females better than males they are not working towards the goals of feminism. The easiest way to describe what a feminist is would be, ”A person working to make equal rights between the genders.” This is the exact same as an “equalist”. Even though a feminist may be determined or argumentative that, in no way, makes them a feminazi. A feminazi is an extremely derogatory and offensive slur against females, that is now used too commonly against both genders. AMS Eighth grade student, Ginger Hanlon, is a very passionate feminist and had to say this, “Feminism is a term that has been used and abused for almost 200 years. People have confused this term with women who hate men or women that spread lies, but the real definition of feminism is equality. Equality of men and women. Feminism is for everyone and feminism is to spread equality not lies.” Going off of the rules of feminism, if you are person who wants equal rights between males and females, then you are a feminist.
Lastly, one of the biggest controversial subjects, consent. Although it is so controversial, it doesn’t need to be. Basically all you have to remember is that only “Yes.” means yes and anything else means no. Other than that here are some things to take into consideration. If a person is either intoxicated or high to an extent where they can no longer make rational decisions, you do not have their consent. If the person does not say anything that is the same as no and you do not have their consent. No matter what, sexual activity should never be forced and neither should consent.
Although rape culture has been part of lifestyles for generations, it's not too late to make a difference. It starts with education instead of ignorance, and taking a stand. We need to begin to take a stand against these incorrect stigmas towards such touchy subjects. If a song has grotesque lyrics or the promotion of rape in it, we shouldn’t praise it. If a Hollywood superstar has been accused of sexual assault, we shouldn’t blindly submerge ourselves into ignorance. If a person has been raped or assaulted, we shouldn’t blame them. Before we jump to an extreme conclusion about any person, organization, idea, or thing we have to understand it. All it takes one conversation; anyone can stop rape culture and it’s our responsibility to end it.
Story by Fiona Austin