#LiberalTips2AvoidRape is trending on Twitter right now.
Now, this is not a political blog. I usually try to avoid controversial subjects and have even referred to myself as “Ms. PC”, although that’s really because those are my initials.
But this hashtag just makes me sad. 
The basic premises to be accepted if we are to understand this hashtag are…
-Liberals want to take away your guns.
-You can’t stop rape without a gun.
-You can certainly stop rape with a gun.
-Also, the University of Colorado released some seemingly stupid guidelines on preventing rape.
Initial evaluation of these givens: They’re completely irrelevant to the issue.
Here’s the real issue: It is not women’s job to stop rape. Only men can stop rape. By not raping.
Now, I’m a realistic person. I know that it’s more complex than that. Men aren’t going to stop raping tomorrow and women need some form of self defense in the meantime.
But there are kids in this country that aren’t being taught anything about the complexities of this issue. There are boys learning not to respect women. There are girls learning that it’s their job to stop rape (and, by extension, if they get raped they must have done something wrong). And everybody’s learning that rape is the punchline of a joke.
The following is just a selection, there are many other hateful and un-funny tweets…
The good news is that there are also plenty of other responses to the hashtag, from Republicans and Democrats alike, pointing out how ridiculous this is. I guess all I’d like to add is…
1. Teach your boys not to rape.
2. Teach your girls that while they should absolutely take safety precautions, rape is not something that happens only to a certain type of girl, and it is not the victim’s fault.
Thanks for hearing me out. Tomorrow I’ll be back to complaining about living with my dad, or some other trivial matter.
That is pretty ridiculous. The whole gun thing has gone out of control. Politicians are using it now as part of their agendas. Sad.
You are so right Phil. Transparent attempt by the gun lobby to get women on their side. Kind of diabolical actually. Much better attempt than their more-guns-in-school campaign, IMO.
This is unbelievable. I’m so glad my husband talks to my teenage sons about these issues. He’s teaching them to respect women, and I sincerely hope they do. A mother can only do so much. Men really need to step up and role model for boys in this area.
Great point, Carrie. Sounds like you got a good one. I’m sure your boys learn as much about respecting women through your husband’s actions as his words.
Such an oversimplification on their parts.
Rapes are not typically committed by someone breaking into a home or dragging a woman off. The suspect is more likely someone a woman knows and is at some level of ease with. Even if you buy the idea that a gun solves problems (I don’t), a victim isn’t likely to be armed or be in a position to use a weapon in an acquaintance rape.
Great point, Oma. More education and fewer distractions are needed on the issue of rape.
I’m just grateful that my comments were left off of your list. I think I said something like “Nom Nom Nom” because I was housing Girl Scout cookies watching The New Girl. I can’t stand when people make light of women’s issues. There seem to be reasonable limits for issues of race, religion, etc., but when it comes to women, all bets are off. D-bags. (P.S. Men have been raped, but doesn’t seem like the research recognizes that, telling women to piss on people like R. Kelly. Okay, I’m done).
Haaa.
Girl Scout Cookies + New Girl > peeing on people
And yes, I read one statistic that said 3% of 8,000 men polled had been raped. That’s actually higher than I would have thought.
I’m enjoying political Jill.
It bothers me than gun control is being corrupted as a rape issue. I call NRA bullshit.
Also, aren’t tasers and mace an effective means of stopping rape with a much lower chance of someone dying?
I really have no idea about the effectiveness part but certainly yes on the lower chance of dying part.
You’re right, it’s absolutely NRA bullshit. Good try, though.
I will scream I have HIV, kick them in the nuts, smack them in the head, then run away.
Ha. I believe that technique is approved by the University of Colorado.
Usually, I wouldn’t give a 5-foot-nothing peanut like you a chance, but you scare me a little. Go kick some ass, Rae.
Don’t estimate the little people!
Never again.