Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site decwrl.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!decwrl!chabot@miles.DEC (All God's chillun got guns)
From: chabot@miles.DEC (All God's chillun got guns)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Re RAPE, etc.../ \"understanding\" horrible behavior and people
Message-ID: <65@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 21-Aug-85 15:30:41 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.65
Posted: Wed Aug 21 15:30:41 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 24-Aug-85 14:57:22 EDT
Sender: daemon@decwrl.UUCP
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 45

Jeff Winslow
>> End of chapter 1 of "Against our will":
>> "Man's dicovery that his genitalia could serve as a weapon to generate fear
>> must rank as one of the most important discoveries of prehistoric times,
>> along with the use of fire and the first crude stone axe.  From prehistoric
>> times to the present, I believe, rape has played a critical function.  It is
>> nothing more or less than a conscious process of intimidation by which *all
>> men* keep *all women* in a state of fear."
>
> ... First, I have *never* thought
> of my genitalia as a weapon to generate fear (although I know all about fires
> and axes), and second, the conscious process Brownmiller describes is
> impossible (I offer myself as counterexample, since she said "all men").

Okay, it's fair to say that all men don't think that of their genitalia as
a weapon to generate fear.  On the other hand, I've met some men who have had
that attitude, at least episodically, and more men who think of their genitalia
as an item to generate some sort of a reaction (for instance, flashers are out
to get *some* sort of a reaction).

And it's also fair to say that all men don't want to keep women in a state of
fear.  But there is a general state of mild fear among most women--fear of 
being alone outside after dark without an escort, apprension about being a
spinster, apprehension about appearing non-feminine in looks or profession or
demeanor--and these apprehensions aid in the continuing perceived dependency of
many women upon men. 

Even independent women will list phone numbers under pseudonyms (or at least
not list the first name)--not in terror, but to prevent unwanted calls from 
unknown jerks.  [And write books under pseudonyms (or at least not use the
first name), so that the book will look like it's been written by a man and
therefore be treated seriously.]

Now, I know men (and Jeff's probably one, too) who find these things
aggravating--women who want to be escorted to the subway, women who seem 
uncomfortable in the company of a man, and so on--and so these men find a 
distinct disadvantage in the behavior that results from these apprehensions.

But for those high on competition: what could be better than eliminating (or
frightening off) >50% of the human race--less competition that way!
(This is un-sports-person-like :-) behavior, but not everyone considers being
a good sport or being well-behaved or whatever your favorite is to be 
necessary.)

L S Chabot   ...decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-amber!chabot   chabot%amber.dec@decwrl.arpa