DISQUS

Rachel S · 1 year ago

I work in the news business, and what really makes me angry is seeing all the men who beat their wives and girlfriends get their "domestic violence" charge dismissed in exchange for a plea to "disorderly conduct" with no jail time, no fine, and no protection for the woman he's beaten time and time again.
Lourdes · 1 year ago

ehh... and the situation in Latin America is even worse... :-(
menstrualpoetry · 1 year ago

While that may be true and good for you for trying to raise attention for Latin America and encouraging change, what's to say that the situation in the US is something that we can easily just disregard and say "Eh, the situation in Latin America is worse so let's ignore what I personally live through every day just because it's worse somewhere else"? We can't just dismiss something entirely because the "situation" somewhere else is worse.
Leigh · 1 year ago

I agree that language - the words we choose to use to describe our actions - says a lot about who we are as a society and how we treat women. Modifying the word "violence" with the word "domestic" minimizes the import of the action, which is an assault, plain and simple. Similarly, using the word "date" to modify" "rape" lessens its impact on the reader/listener/cop/juror. Both instances imply a woman willingly placing herself in a dangerous situation.