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From: jon@boulder.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: crossing streets
Message-ID: <259@boulder.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 16-Dec-84 22:17:54 EST
Article-I.D.: boulder.259
Posted: Sun Dec 16 22:17:54 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 20-Dec-84 03:00:26 EST
Organization: National Center for Atmospheric Research
Lines: 35

jdh@hou5g.UUCP (Julia Harper):
>But I am suggesting something that you, a man, can do to make the world a
>nicer place for a woman -- even a woman you don't know.  This suggestion
>was made in good faith.  I don't think it's difficult, I do think it is
>a gift that men can give women.  Yet every (just about) response by 
>a man has been to tell women that he will do nothing, and that all 
>responsibility should lie in her hands.

	You know, I really try hard to understand women, and to treat them
with the respect and friendship that they deserve.  I have been told that I
do fairly well (most of the time).  But I feel hurt when confronted with the
attitude displayed in the message above.  You see, I just do not like being
treated as a violent criminal.  My upbringing in the middle of Wyoming did
not emphasize treating women as equals; it takes a real effort.  This is an
effort that I am willing to make, because equal they truly are.  Is it too
much to ask to be treated as an equal too?  I am not a rapist, and I carry
no infectious diseases; I don't see why I should have to yield the sidewalk
to any other person.
	Rape, and all the other problems faced by women as they try to take
their rightful part in the world, will never be solved as long as either sex
treats the other as enemies.  My crossing the street will not improve any
woman's chances of avoiding rape, since I am not a rapist.  It will only put
another barrier between men and women, and is thus counterproductive.
	I realize that my attitude does nothing for the woman who wonders if
she is about to be grabbed.  I wish I knew how to solve that problem.  I do
know that expecting me to cross the street every time I encounter a woman
will not.
	Besides, what if there is a woman on the other side too?  If I 
suddenly cross the street toward her, would she not be even more upset than
before?

--
Jonathan Corbet
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Field Observing Facility
{seismo|hplabs}!hao!boulder!jon