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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