Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Ben Atherton-Zeman <>]

Hi, friends in the movement! 

 

I think Daniel Tosh contributed to rape culture with his “jokes” last week, threatening rape of an audience member.  I think Joe Paterno did so by remaining silent about Sandusky’s sexual abuse.

 

But these two have been defended as “nice guys,” “pillars of the community” etc.  Sexual and domestic violence prevention advocates are familiar with this language – it’s used in countless news stories about perpetrators of violence.  It seems the “nice guy” protection can also be used to protect those who benefit from and contribute to rape culture.

 

What I’ve learned from feminist women is that each man, “nice guy” or not, benefits from rape culture.  Most of us contribute to rape culture every day, through sexist jokes, objectification of women, etc. 

 

I think folks need to know that being a “nice guy” doesn’t mean you can’t contribute to rape culture, just as it doesn’t mean you can’t rape or abuse.  So I wrote the attached column for Ms. Magazine Online.  Feel free to share with others. 

 

http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2012/07/17/nice-guys-contribute-to-rape-culture/

 

Thanks, and keep up the good work! 

 

Ben Atherton-Zeman: Feminist, actor, husband

Performing a one-man play “Voices of Men,” working to end sexual and domestic violence

Video clips available at http://www.voicesofmen.org