Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images
Glasgow, United Kingom
On August 15th, of this year NPR (National Pubic Radio) addressed the now global march, entitiled SlutWalk. I've posted about SlutWalk a LOT. I continue to post about it as it spreads not only throughout the U.S. but across international borders.
I am posting for this very reason. It is spreading and spreading and spreading. In such a short amound of time SlutWalk has become a phenomenon. SlutWalks can be found in cities like Dallas, Baltimore, Seattle, Olympia, California and more. Slutwalks can be found in countries such as London, Brazil, Delhi,Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico and more.
So, what is SlutWalk? The name might turn you off but it also might intrigue you.
On January 24th, 2011, a Toronto, Canada police officer made the statement that, "Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized."
Pause for a moment. Think about that. If your immediate reaction is to agree or disagree, take a moment and think about it some more.
I whole heartedly disagree with the officer's statement. While I had a physical reaction in my chest, I took my own advice and thought about what he said and my reaction to it. Rather than just feeling angry and sad, I thought about how there is this common place belief that women who dress in a revealing manner are "asking for it." The more I thought about it the more I realized just how appropriate SlutWalk is.
I whole heartedly disagree with the officer's statement. While I had a physical reaction in my chest, I took my own advice and thought about what he said and my reaction to it. Rather than just feeling angry and sad, I thought about how there is this common place belief that women who dress in a revealing manner are "asking for it." The more I thought about it the more I realized just how appropriate SlutWalk is.
I personally do not dress scantily but that is neither here nor there. The point is that those who do should not be considered rapable.
(source)
Most recently SlutWalk has hit South Africa. According to Hot Air, just this past month women marched through Cape Town, some wearing lingerie. Some men actually wore lingerie in solidarity.
Cape Town, South Africa
On the 15th I listened to the NPR broadcast and the views from callers were in line with what I've been hearing all along. Some understand and appreciate the mission of SlutWalk while others, men and women included, believe that if a woman wears clothes that are deemed "slutty" by societal standards then she either is a slut or she is inviting sexual predators.
The idea that men cannot help themselves is insulting to men everywhere. Many men buy into it as well as women. This is a patriarchal stance. This is a submission to the myth of male weakness.
The idea that men cannot help themselves is insulting to men everywhere. Many men buy into it as well as women. This is a patriarchal stance. This is a submission to the myth of male weakness.
As I've been following the SlutWalk movement I have read various articles and blog posts belonging to feminist writers. Some writers believe that using the word "Slut" in the title is enough to encourage and praise promiscuity and lack of dress. So far, all of the articles I have read that share this tone have been from women.
These ladies miss the mark. The movement is called SlutWalk because the Torronto officer referred to women as sluts. That's all. It doesn't matter that some of the SlutWalk attendees happily admit and cheer that they were indeed sluts and that they are proud. Whether one is a self proclaimed slut or not, the point remains that sexual abuse and rape is NEVER appropriate. Ever.
Delhi, India
A state of dress is not an invitation. If a man believes that it is, and he approaches a woman who declines his advances, he should not assume that he is actually granted permission based on what the woman has been wearing.
On June 4th, 2011, SlutWalk came to my neck of the woods. I live within Los Angeles County. The extravaganza was largely organized by Hugo Schwyzer. Schwyzer is a college professor, feminist, activist, a religious man, a writer, avid blogger, husband, and father.
During the SlutWalk event, several feminist speakers stood up before the crowds of thousands to speak about the importance of sexual agency and the right to safety. Schwyzer was one of the speakers.
Hugo Schwyzer speaks at SlutWalk Los Angeles - June 4th, 2011
SlutWalk has developed momentum in that it has encouraged dialogue on the issues surrounding slut shaming, victim blaming, sexism, racism, homophobia, class, sex work, sexuality, and more.
(source)
Seoul, Korea
Many attendees of SlutWalk have been sex workers. As an active anti-pornography feminist I can tell you that I support the rights of those who are involved in sex work. While I may not agree with their practices I understand that they are not welcoming sexual abuse. I think sex workers can tell you that there are many who seek to take advantage of sex workers simply because sex work is their job. If a sex worker says no, then no means no.
So what now?
SlutWalk Toronto will be returning in April 2012! I can only imagine that there will be on going marches in other areas.
Currently a SlutWalk documentary is in the works. To view the facebook page click here.
To learn more about SlutWalk visit the official website here.
To learn more about SlutWalk Los Angeles visit the official facebook page here.
To learn more about Hugo Schwyzer visit his blogsite here.
To visit Hugo Schwyzer's facebook page click here.
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