Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site hcrvx1.UUCP Path: utzoo!hcrvax!hcrvx1!tracy From: tracy@hcrvx1.UUCP (Tracy Tims) Newsgroups: net.women Subject: Re: rape and streetwalking Message-ID: <1058@hcrvx1.UUCP> Date: Sat, 22-Dec-84 18:26:25 EST Article-I.D.: hcrvx1.1058 Posted: Sat Dec 22 18:26:25 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 23-Dec-84 06:03:24 EST References: <221@decwrl.UUCP> <608@burl.UUCP> <10452@watmath.UUCP> Organization: Human Computing Resources, Toronto Lines: 23 Sophie asks that stronger people try not to scare weaker people, if it isn't inconvenient for them to do so. That's a very interesting request. First it implies that women are weaker than men, secondly it implies that *men are scaring* rather than *women are being scared*. If I pass a woman on a street at night, and she is frightened, SHE IS SCARING HERSELF. I AM NOT SCARING HER. She has no reason to be frightened of ME. Her dilemma is that she doesn't know this. Yes, I could tell her this by walking across the street, but she'll find out soon enough, because I won't attack her. What I object to (in a gut level reaction that's very powerful) is being implicated IN ANY WAY with the group of people who rape. The prospect shakes me. If I cross the street I am saying "Well, you may have to fear some of my kind, but you don't have to fear me." What I really want to say is "I am my own kind, and you don't have to fear me." I understand that your point of view, that it is a minor courtesy, is valid. But THIS point of view is also valid. Which brings us to my dilemma: should I do something that I find personally disturbing to bring about a conjectured positive effect in some women? For me, the jury is still out. Tracy Tims {linus,allegra,decvax}!watmath!... Human Computing Resources Corporation {ihnp4,utzoo}!... Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 416 922-1937 ...hcr!hcrvax!tracy