Yesterday, I posted this picture in response to Todd Akins’ ridiculous assertion that women can’t pregnant during a rape:
The point I was making specific to this picture is that, according to Akin, Paul Ryan and a disturbing number of Republicans, is that if this woman were to have gotten pregnant that would mean it wasn’t “real” rape.
However, a reader, Heather J. pointed out that I was unintentionally helping the douchebags on the right perpetuate their “forcible rape” story:
From Heather J.:
I don’t agree with having this picture as a clear message about rape, and here is why…. This incredibly sad, horrific picture implies that rape is extremely violent, and it is, however, not everyone bleeds, not everyone is held against their will with a weapon other than sheer fear and control, not everyone who is raped suffers the external extent of violence that this picture suggests, BUT IT IS STILL RAPE! This is where the confusion comes in for so many women!! We find ourselves (not PUT ourselves) in situations of rape, but still blame ourselves because “I’m not bleeding, so I must have done something wrong” or “There was no gun or knife (I was still scared out of my mind), but who would believe me without “serious” injury?” See what I am saying? Date rape,marital rape, violent rape – is ALL STILL RAPE!!! And it’s all still WRONG!
Thank you for all that you do – Your page is my absolute favorite! I left that in because it made me feel less depressed – FLS
And she’s right; it does. The idea that a woman asked for, deserved, enjoyed or allowed her rape is pernicious and insidious and it’s very easy to reinforce that narrative even without meaning to. As a counterbalance to the violence of the above rape and the implication that some rapes don’t count because women secretly want it, here’s my favorite anti-slut shaming picture:
Conservatives are a group of sad, sick people who have a deep seated loathing of women and sex. I can’t think of any other excuse for what they say. Just so we’re clear, if she says no or is unable to say no for any reason, that’s rape.
How dare you classify ALL conservatives like this. You are falling into the same belief that all women ask to be raped. You can’t classify everyone into some neat little box and label them. There are good and bad in both. Come on, use your head other than a hat rack.
I very much dare. Here’s the thing: The GOP has become very open in their disdain for women. Personhood laws are, literally, a call for women to have no access to contraception or control over their reproductive cycles. It has now become impossible to pretend that the GOP actually gives a crap about the actual fetus. They care about making sure women don’t have sex and if they do, they should be punished for it.
If you are a conservative that votes Republican, you are endorsing this worldview. Most conservatives vote Republican. Not that hard to connect the dots.
And the Dems make darn sure that the women have sex! In the Oval office, in a car that ends up in a river with her dead, etc.
Then there needs to be a HUGE backlash against the DOZENS of Conservative politicians that are saying hateful things about women, ridiculous lies about sex, science and abortion, rape and birth control. PROVE Conservatives don’t stand with these morons we see EVERY SINGLE DAY or you are a hypocrite.
I suggest you start the trend in redefining your party then. Seriously. You might agree with a fiscal party, but if you vote for people that take away civil rights and bash women, you are just as bad as they are. Nothing is more important than our civil rights. Nothing.
While I posted this horrific post on my page, and was completely outraged by this, you lost me at the statement that Conservatives are sad, sick, have a deep loathing of women…I’m a Conservative that believes in (wishes) for castration of rapists, and Child Molesters, Gay Rights, Freedom of Choice, Right to bear Arms, and praying in schools. I also say Merry Christmas, (I’m Jewish), and Bless you when someone sneezes. I don’t happen to believe in God, but completely respect those that do. I also have 2 amazing women as daughters, and 3 tiny granddaughters that I adore, and would without hesitation, maim, or hopefully eradicate from this earth any man that would violate them in ANY way. So you tell me….am I sick, sad or do I loathe women??? This is Hate Speech, the same as saying Muslims are Terrorists. It’s wrong to put all Conservatives is one basket, and it propagates ugliness towards each other as Americans. Shame on you, for taking a good message, that so desperately needs to be heard,and turning it into a Political Agenda.
Way to go Sandi! Thank you!