Comments on: Should Black Women Participate in SlutWalks?

By: E.M.S.

E.M.S. — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:39:03 +0000

The Slutwalks are not denying the fact that women are raped in many other situations, the entire movement was specifically aimed at what the officer said. If you’re trying to apply it to all cases of rape then of course it doesn’t make sense.

You may not believe that sexual expressiveness is a freedom but that is your opinion. Face it, some people have different ideas of sex, and you cannot judge them for looking at it differently than yourself because there isn’t a “correct” way to view it. It’s all about preferences.

Actually protest has accomplished quite a lot in our nation’s history. Women protested against their inability to vote or wear pants, we are now able to do both. The black community protested against Jim Crow laws & segregation, we are now integrated into society. Those are just two examples, but very significant ones.

These are not “single little occurrences.” These are things that are completely unjust, and the people are now understanding they truly have the power to make things change if they demand it. Rising up in numbers it the greatest insurance you have if you want a revolution.

If you truly believed in equality & the government doing its job for all peoples of this nation you would support OWS. Do you think it’s fair our government is designed to serve the richest 1% of our nation while the majority is met with senseless financial struggles?

I bet if you think about it some economic issue in your life is directly correlated to this issue, and it should make you angry our government behaves this way. Even if you don’t, trust me, the revolution has begun.

By: E.M.S.

E.M.S. — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:23:14 +0000

Honestly, I’m a young black woman & I think it’s a miss-placed overreaction. Never in my life have I heard of the term slut being associated with black women in the way this letter suggests. The term slut is used against all types of women, regardless of shape, size, or skin color.

By: theAariD

theAariD — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:59:57 +0000

This is a very interesting topic. I’ve read everyones responses to the Slutwalks and I think its interesting to see that we as women divide over this issue. First and foremost, I would like to say that I disagree with Alice Walker and her definition of the word “slut”. IMO, there was never a time when we owned this word and decided to make it useful for us as saying that it means that woman is sexually free. Like another person said, this word was used by men to exemplify patriarchy, control, and ownership of a female’s body. It was never used as an endearing term for the love of sisterhood of different creeds, skin tones, ethinicities, or etc.

Rape and other sexual crimes have been in play since the biblical days. Men have always had the upperhand, the driver’s seat in ALL socieities. Yes, some cultures were different in thier ways of respecting women and families; in some cultures, the men’s job was to protect his woman and his family no matter what, while in others they abused the women and children–evidently abusing their own God-given masculinity.

I don’t believe in Slutwalks. Period. Like many people before me have said, women don’t have to look like sluts, prostitutes, or whores to get raped. Many women who get raped get abused by a family member or someone else they thought they could trust. Some women get raped by coworkers or people of a certain authority (bosses, government officials, police officers, etc.

There is no doubt that the officer was very wrong when he said that women who dress like sluts get raped. Because he’s invalid. Women, who have almost ALWAYS been a oppressed group of people no matter where they come from, are suceptible of being used and abused no matter how dressed. It all comes from this sense of male dominance and abuse of masculinity on the men’s behalf. However, I don’t believe that this incident should give women the want to retaliate by dressing up like “sluts” and trying to take back the word. It never belong to us. It was a word men created to hold us down. In my mind, as a young woman who is barely 20, I do not see women dressed in this fashion as positive or inspirational. I don’t see it as something empowering. This is the exact image that we have been portrayed for the past,…God knows how long!

IMO, being sexually expressive and free is not “freedom” at all. To me, sex is an act that people should really take more seriously. It involves emotion and the feeling of being attached to someone else. It’s the most intimate act you could have with another person. To me, freedom is having enough respect for yourself that you are not willing to give up your valuable goods to just anyone. Freedom is knowing who you are, inside out as a woman and loving yourself for who you are. Freedom, is feeling sexy without having sex, or showing off way too many goods. It’s confidence and its love.

Women need to first love themselves and respect themselves. As Whitney did say, that’s the greatest love of all. Self-respect.

As for the differences between cultures when it comes to woman’s rights, I say that without a doubt there is. African-American women have a certain stigma pressed to them. For years, ever since slavery, we have been seen as sexually wild and exhibited; wild beasts of nature that white male masters use to fantasize about. Our sexuality alone has been raped as history and the media portrays us as sins, guilty pleasures, physically distorted in our natural derriere (please look up Sarah Baartman), and wild animals.

White women have never been criticized or put down as worse as we have been. So indeed, it is a different battle we have to fight, especially when you take on the facts of living in the inner cities and such.

I really do believe that we all need to look deeply into the reasons why we want to protest certain things. I mean, really all these Occupy Wall Streets and other spin offs across the world? The outbreaks against leaders in Africa? And now this? What is going on in this world right now to make everyone want to protest? You can’t protest every single little ocurrence because then at the end of the day, What have you really done?

By: Simone

Simone — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:01:46 +0000

Agreed.

By: cyan

cyan — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:38:59 +0000

Yes while I hear you women and Especially Black young women dress in some of the most ridiculous outfits. I am ashamed to see them sometimes, and yes when they dress like that they give men ideas because after all men are visual creatures and if you wear a suggestive outfit men would heckle and try to pull small talk with you!!!
All I know is if you dress respectfully – then you will be given respect!!!

By: KrissyG

KrissyG — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:30:39 +0000

Agree. They are missing the point. Using the word “slut” is ironic and a show of defiance; they are not actually calling themselves “sluts.” Also, while I appreciate this organization’s position, if any Black woman wants to go walk, do so. It’s your choice. Me personally, I’d rather learn self defence and volunteer to help women who have been raped.

By: T

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:16:15 +0000

While I understand the principle of these “walks”, I can’t help but see a few holes in the message. (1) What exactly is the impact and effect of these “walks”? Are they really sending the right message? Or are they just an excuse for perverts to lust after women and see them as objects instead of human beings as they parade down the street? What about the message to young girls? What message are we sending them? Shouldn’t we teach them to respect themselves and to be safe which in my opinion may cause them to want to cover up and leave less to the imagination? (2) Most rapes don’t occur by some stranger with the victim who just happens to be scantily clad. Most rapes occur by women who are wearing more than enough clothes and by someone they know. Also, you can be raped in your home. Also rape is often motivated by control and not lust. (3) This energy should be redirected to helping women learn how to be smart and safe (knowing that there are some crazy people out in the world regardless of what you wear). We should also help those women who have already been victims as well as work on some of these so called laws that cause victims to be victimized over and over again. Overall, the principal is a good one but it is misguided.

By: African Mami

African Mami — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:31:44 +0000

yo! hold up! I am feeling so slut educated right about now. This can actually become a major in colleges….proly be called SLUTONOMICS……

By: Demi

Demi — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:27:42 +0000

Couldn’t have said it any better. Thank you!!

Feminists = WHITE WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Womanists = OUR RIGHTS (the ones this online mag is written for)

As someone else has stated, we have to always find our own voice and speak on our own stories as it has been proven time & time again that no one could nor should be allowed to take the role of agency for us. Forget this little cute “march” as it does not speak to our truths nor our stories. Simply ignore & start paying attention to what is important to us, like no wedding, no womb, true strategies to ensure permanent evacuation from the ‘hood, achieving real live-preserving and life-enhancing goals, reclaiming your humanity and femininity…you know, things of that nature. This IS NOT FOR US!!!!!!!!!

By: TheBestAnonEver, Part 2

TheBestAnonEver, Part 2 — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:41:26 +0000

Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude in my undergraduate and graduate degrees, respectively, from two ivy league institutions with a rocking career is all the proof you need.