We will remain in disagreement, though I doubt were the topic rape, we would disagree. Calling it "stigma" empowers the prejudiced, disempowers the persons victimized by the word association.
I will agree with you that there are people who discriminate and call it "stigma," placing the onus on the victim of their prejudice. I will agree that victims can be persuaded to repeat that claim. I will not agree the claim is so.
"The woman's skirt was too short. She is at fault, not I." It is an interesting diversion, but it is not reality.
Today's "accepted" usage directs its prejudice at another group, but it is the identical prejudice, masked in the identical way, and defended tenaciously by those who accept the representation. I simply do not accept the association. I do not pass it on, I do not reinforce it, as did women, I refute it. I cannot say learning the lesson was easy, but seeing the effects of that claim on Jews in World War II, African Americans here and elsewhere, and survivors of sexual assault, I cannot direct it.
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We will remain in disagreement, though I doubt were the topic rape, we would disagree. Calling it "stigma" empowers the prejudiced, disempowers the persons victimized by the word association.
I will agree with you that there are people who discriminate and call it "stigma," placing the onus on the victim of their prejudice. I will agree that victims can be persuaded to repeat that claim. I will not agree the claim is so.
"The woman's skirt was too short. She is at fault, not I." It is an interesting diversion, but it is not reality.
Today's "accepted" usage directs its prejudice at another group, but it is the identical prejudice, masked in the identical way, and defended tenaciously by those who accept the representation. I simply do not accept the association. I do not pass it on, I do not reinforce it, as did women, I refute it. I cannot say learning the lesson was easy, but seeing the effects of that claim on Jews in World War II, African Americans here and elsewhere, and survivors of sexual assault, I cannot direct it.
May 20, 2010 - 6:36pmThis Comment
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