This is a very interesting story. As far as gender neutrality, it felt all right to me. What I found very interesting was how the crime was tried. I both like and dislike the fact that he was convicted without any physical evidence.
It makes sense that if he was caught prowling, and MULTIPLE women came forward accusing him, that something was up. I'm certain he did it. However, I am not completely okay with the "evidence" that was used. His pornography collection meant he was "obsessed with violence"? That would have to be one huge, MESSED UP porno collection. Think of it this way - would my (hypothetical) collection of martial arts and slasher films make me "obsessed" with violence?
I'm glad that all the parts of this man's story could be pulled together to create a picture that revealed the truth. I'm so happy that he wasn't let off for lack of evidence, that his standing as a police officer didn't keep people from believing his accusers. I just have to take a step back, maybe play devil's advocate and say, "where do we draw the line?"
Katz showed us clearly that our macho media creates problems like this, but we are still a ways from saying that (for instance) a slasher film collection, rap and southern metal on the ipod, and a collection of interesting porn is enough to convict a rapist.
Again, I agree completely with it's use in this case, and am glad the case turned out the way it did. But it's like Katz talked about. The officer's one media "interest" is not the FULL issue. I just don't want to read cases about rape/murder/violence charges, and see the words, "He had german industrial music and a copy of Clockwork Orange at home. Clearly he is obsessed, and guilty." We can use our media knowledge, hopefully, and our understanding of porn/violent culture. But don't let it be the next single-line-of-thought scapegoat.
In the "Europe" article, it is good that someone is considering the issue of violence against women. However, there was no mention that men should also step forward to help with the fight. It was more of a general public issue. As Jackson Katz is constantly repeating, men should be helping to fight the fight in order for any sort of support or change will take place.
"The campaign had numerous goals: it aimed to raise awareness that violence against women is a human rights violation and to encourage every citizen to challenge it,..."
"...implementation of effective measures for preventing and combating violence against women through legislation and national action plans to regularly monitor progress." I just previously returned from a 3 month stay in Belgium, Europe and really am pleased with this article in their fight to make violence against women, known. The goals listed above show many ways that they are attempting to better the lives of women and the relationship/conversation about violence against women in men's minds, leaving them as allies in the fight against it.
Although the article is good and a great step at that, it is still women, as Jessica pointed out... that are in the constant battle of us versus men... how about empowering the men to take that first step forward in the right direction in awareness/prevention of violence against women.
3 comments:
I read the one about the officer's rape case:
This is a very interesting story. As far as gender neutrality, it felt all right to me. What I found very interesting was how the crime was tried. I both like and dislike the fact that he was convicted without any physical evidence.
It makes sense that if he was caught prowling, and MULTIPLE women came forward accusing him, that something was up. I'm certain he did it. However, I am not completely okay with the "evidence" that was used. His pornography collection meant he was "obsessed with violence"? That would have to be one huge, MESSED UP porno collection. Think of it this way - would my (hypothetical) collection of martial arts and slasher films make me "obsessed" with violence?
I'm glad that all the parts of this man's story could be pulled together to create a picture that revealed the truth. I'm so happy that he wasn't let off for lack of evidence, that his standing as a police officer didn't keep people from believing his accusers. I just have to take a step back, maybe play devil's advocate and say, "where do we draw the line?"
Katz showed us clearly that our macho media creates problems like this, but we are still a ways from saying that (for instance) a slasher film collection, rap and southern metal on the ipod, and a collection of interesting porn is enough to convict a rapist.
Again, I agree completely with it's use in this case, and am glad the case turned out the way it did. But it's like Katz talked about. The officer's one media "interest" is not the FULL issue. I just don't want to read cases about rape/murder/violence charges, and see the words, "He had german industrial music and a copy of Clockwork Orange at home. Clearly he is obsessed, and guilty." We can use our media knowledge, hopefully, and our understanding of porn/violent culture. But don't let it be the next single-line-of-thought scapegoat.
In the "Europe" article, it is good that someone is considering the issue of violence against women. However, there was no mention that men should also step forward to help with the fight. It was more of a general public issue. As Jackson Katz is constantly repeating, men should be helping to fight the fight in order for any sort of support or change will take place.
"The campaign had numerous goals: it aimed to raise awareness that violence against women is a human rights violation and to encourage every citizen to challenge it,..."
"...implementation of effective measures for preventing and combating violence against women through legislation and national action plans to regularly monitor progress."
I just previously returned from a 3 month stay in Belgium, Europe and really am pleased with this article in their fight to make violence against women, known. The goals listed above show many ways that they are attempting to better the lives of women and the relationship/conversation about violence against women in men's minds, leaving them as allies in the fight against it.
Although the article is good and a great step at that, it is still women, as Jessica pointed out... that are in the constant battle of us versus men... how about empowering the men to take that first step forward in the right direction in awareness/prevention of violence against women.
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