...WTF. [EDITED]

[trillianastra]

EDIT: putting this behind a cut, as it has been brought to my attention that this is distressing to some people. I would like to emphasise that this post is one that I reposted from another LJ, not one I wrote myself. (not an excuse, just explaining a little)

To trialia and featherfish, sorry for any anxiety caused and thank you for pointing it out.


Originally posted by lavenderfrost at ...WTF.

Well, there goes my good mood for the day.

NYTimes, the bastion of quality reporting, reported on the gang-rape of an 11 year-old girl in Texas  that's led to charges against 18 high-school boys so far - all well and good so far, right?  Shit like this NEEDS publicity to raise awareness. 

Only problem is, they repeated - without refutation or critical commentary - the claims that the girl brought the rape on herself because of the way she was dressed.

Choice Quotes (No cut b/c everyone needs to see this - DEAL.):

“It’s just destroyed our community,” said Sheila Harrison, 48, a hospital worker who says she knows several of the defendants. “These boys have to live with this the rest of their lives.”  As opposed to the victim, who's gonna bounce back lickety-fucking-split, right?

Residents in the neighborhood where the abandoned trailer stands — known as the Quarters — said the victim had been visiting various friends there for months. They said she dressed older than her age, wearing makeup and fashions more appropriate to a woman in her 20s. She would hang out with teenage boys at a playground, some said.  TOTALLY BEGGING FOR IT.

THIS IS RAPE CULTURE, PEOPLE.

Now, what's being said and done in this community is bad enough, but the NY Times should be fucking ashamed of themselves right now.

( Here's how to contact NYT: )

Comments

[trialia]

Not that I don't agree with your sentiments about this case, because I do, but putting triggering shit like this outside of a cut without a big warning before that material? Never, EVER okay. I'm sorry that you feel that it is okay to do that to people, let alone your friends. I'd thank you for the anxiety attack you just gave me, but I'm not that passive-aggressive.

[featherfish.livejournal.com]

Yeah hon, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to second this. This is not a triggering thing for me personally, but obviously there are people everywhere you can hurt without wanting to, thereby completely undermining your totally worthy cause. This is topic worthy of both attention and anger, however you cannot let that anger control the way you present your rallying cry. You run the risk of either alienating people who might be less inclined to respond to something so vehemently put forth, and a much, much greater risk of upsetting others. This is an incredibly delicate subject and it absolutely deserves to be treated with delicacy. To say something like "DEAL" on this is just as insensitive and irresponsible as what you're trying to fight. Come on.