Don’t trivialise the issue of rape

As of Thursday, September 10, 2015

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I have been struggling with the weekly column Politicole since it became a part of The Tribune. Given the name of the column, I thought there was a slight chance that readers would get thoughtful, challenging views on the political state of the country. Wrong.

Last week, I was especially disturbed by the article in Politicole which focused on the policy that requires bank customers to remove sunglasses before entering. This is a ridiculous point to argue for many reasons, but I am not moved to discuss them at this time.

What I do want to express is my grave exception to the repeated and gratuitous use of the word “rape” in the second paragraph. It was inappropriate, offensive and a clear example of rape culture from one who previously claimed to be a feminist. Rape is not a metaphor. It is not a word to be used to describe anything that is not rape. To do so is to trivialise and minimise the experiences of survivors of rape and other acts of sexual violence and to dilute its meaning. It is irresponsible and reprehensible.

As if that were not enough, later in the article, she insults every person who does not agree with her opinion on the policy, calling them “the bank’s bitch”.

Putting aside the blanketed insult itself, in case anyone is unaware, the derogatory use of the word “bitch” is meant to subjugate women. It puts women below men, and suggests that to be a woman to be less than. I take great offence to the use of this word in this fashion, especially on the heels of “Rape, rape, rape!” being the cry against commercial banks. Whether a feminist or not, no responsible journalist, writer or media personality would ever toss these words around, ignoring their meanings and origins and the people affected by the acts and views of the world they describe.

It is my hope that this will prompt a conversation with the writer about the focus of the column, and appropriate word choices. May it also fuel conversations about sexual violence and the violence and discrimination women and girls (in particular) face all too often. They are discussed all too infrequently, only to be trivialised when someone sees fit to turn the experiences of survivors into a weak metaphor in the name of making a point.

A REAL BAHAMIAN FEMINIST

Nassau,

September 7, 2015.

Zakary 8 years, 7 months ago

Whether a feminist or not, no responsible journalist, writer or media personality would ever toss these words around, ignoring their meanings and origins and the people affected by the acts and views of the world they describe.

I know it’s hip and cool to be a feminist, looking for micro-aggressions and arguing ad infinitum over words and meanings, but don’t you think that you’re a little too trigger happy?

I read that column a while back, and while I disagreed with almost 100% of it, I have a hard time understanding how the columnist trivializes the word ‘rape’.

By the way, rape has two meanings which depend on its contextual usage. The first has a sexual connotation, and its second is to seize, plunder, or despoil by action or force. Its origins are even more surprising.

If the phrases “rape the people economically” or “rape them of their individual personal freedoms” or “rape them of their money” trivialize the word 'rape' and demonstrate rape culture, then the English language has taken a real good beating, and that’s coming from an old timer.

a2z 8 years, 7 months ago

Somebody needs a dictionary. Somebody also needs to learn what a VERB is and how it is used and what a NOUN is and how it is used. You are the reason people like Wayne Munroe take the position they take on womens issues. You find fault wit every damn thing for no reason but to push your own agenda.I read that article too like Zakary and wasn't too sure if slang was appropriate. But if the tribune published it that must mean they were giving the writer a voice to express as they have given you one. Of all the things you could talk about that article or the writer, this is what you come up with? Sounds personal honey.

Emac 8 years, 7 months ago

I read the Politicole article also and I didn't see anything inappropriate. As a matter of fact, I agreed with everything she brought to the forefront in the mentioned edition. Going as far as to say that the word rape was trivialized in Politicole's article is simple ludicrous. If there ever was a concern to be raised regarding woman's right, then the writer of this article needs to be blasting the present government which has shown total disregard for women in this country. If you wanna pick a fight on this pressing matter, then see Leslie Miller who not so long ago callously described how he disciplines his woman or you can chastise any of the other male chauvinistic members of the HOA. As a matter of fact, why don't you really stir up the pot and protest against this demonic government for not keeping its promise of holding the referendum that deals with the rights of women in this country?

In any event, the word "rape" is quite applicable when one looks at what our society has succumbed to. Without trivializing the word, I can safely say that this government has repeatedly 'raped' the Bahamian people which gives right thinking Bahamians a lot to 'bitch' about!

Hotelier 8 years, 7 months ago

I read that article and thought it was a frivolous piece and not worth comment. Sunglasses, seriously? How about the interest rates and mortgage policies of these banks? Why does the government allow this? How about the fact that Bank of The Bahamas does not have a relationship with a clearing bank because of their liquidity issues and takes 90 days to clear a foreign (we are talking US here) cheque? Does the young author have any idea of what it takes to do business on an Out Island? Or the impact of the Banks losses on NIB? Please......

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