I'll give up thinking I'll change each and every mind, but I won't give up my rage or trying to apply a cluestick.

I went for the response I did in part because of it being my friend's facebook and in part because it is SO FUCKING DEGRADING that people so cheerfully go to the "she was incompetent" place.

I get why some women blame the victim -- it makes them feel safe. "As long as *I* don't do "stupid" things no one will ever rape me! Hooray!"

I'm just loving the notion that a person who likely hasn't left the dink town I grew up in in thirty years knows better than a seasoned journalist what is and is not acceptable clothing in Cairo.

I remember how a simple conversation about my lack of cellphone with my coworker turned into a 2 hour education session on the awareness women have tocarry with them everyday. My officemate (a guy) had never.really.thought.about.it. Cause he didn't have to.

Me, I keep coming back to the part where rape is not the victim's fault. No matter what the extenuating circumstances - she chose to wear that, she chose to drink that, she chose to walk there - still. not. her. fault.

Totally. The only way to prevent rape? If rapists DON'T RAPE.

It's always something. Skirt too short, why did you go back to his apartment, you've had sex before, why didn't you fight back harder (or at all)?

Between this bullshit and the goddamn various bills that are basically making it impossible for women to have reproductive rights at all, I don't know why being a woman isn't just considered a crime in its own right. It would make things so much goddamn easier.

I remember how a simple conversation about my lack of cellphone with my coworker turned into a 2 hour education session on the awareness women have tocarry with them everyday. My officemate (a guy) had never.really.thought.about.it. Cause he didn't have to.

Oh, yeah. I've had that conversation with many men, including Tim, and every single one of them, to a man, was *boggled* at the things I automatically think/look for/check before I'll get in the car/leave the store/go somewhere at night by myself.

I don't think I have that kind of awareness, really, and guess what? If I get raped, it's still not on me.

Yeah, that's pretty situational for me. Also what Jesse said.

I had a male friend go OFF on me about "living like a vicitim" when I asked him to stop at the ATM with me on the way home.

You won't go alone after dark?

No need to. You're here.

What if I wasn't?

I'd come when I walked the dog.

What if you didn't have the dog?

I'd wait until tomorrow, but I'd rather not leave early for work.

I'm not even a particularly cautious person. He was fairly amazed.

I don't think I have that kind of awareness, really, and guess what? If I get raped, it's still not on me.

Oh, that's too true. But the point I was trying to make is just that the whole conditioning is a symptom of the bigger problem. I think. Or it might have just been RAAAGE.

Oh sure. I just always think it's interesting when I hear that from other women. I don't know.