The responses to F--kRapeCulture’s march from people on the street and on social media proves that a group like FRC is necessary.
The responses to F--kRapeCulture’s march from people on the street and on social media proves that a group like FRC is necessary.
While advocating for a change in culture that objectifies women, we heard men screaming “hey baby” and “f--k you” at us as we marched down Court Street. Men came out of their houses to watch us and started to laugh and take pictures. We were seeking attention to raise awareness that rape culture exists, but it was clear that a lot of people thought the idea of women’s autonomy was a joke.
From The Crystal, a man yelled “this is stupid, there’s way more important things!” I’m sure you, drunken asshole, think there are more important things since you don’t have to worry about your drink being roofied or being constantly objectified. People have frequently tried to minimize our cause by saying there are more important issues. Importance is an objective thing, so while rape culture may not be important to you (though it should be), it impacts every person. It tells women they don’t own their own bodies and allows men to feel entitled to others’ bodies. It enforces the gender binary. Rape is used as a threat to anyone who questions norms, which is why so many feminist writers receive rape threats.
There were horrific comments on the apps, Yik Yak and Unseen, joking about how men loved seeing topless women. Let’s get something clear: we did not get topless for you. We do not exist for your viewing pleasure. The people who chose to go topless did so in order to make a statement that wearing revealing clothes or being completely naked is not consent and is not an invitation to anything. I will reiterate what I said in my speech during the rally. No one is asking for it unless they actually f--king ask for it.
Student Senate supported FRC and Senate President Megan Marzec said she received many emails against her support for the cause. One student wrote in an email to Megan, “You feminists are only mad because you’re ugly as hell.” Many men think a woman’s only worth is her beauty. Some think that we, as feminists, are angry we’re not being objectified. We are, in fact, being objectified and we are so angry about it we held a march and a rally. A student also wrote, among his many misspelled emails, that we’re “literally a joke.”
Two other students also wrote to Megan expressing anger at the name F--kRapeCulture. Similar comments were made on Yik Yak. Respectability politics is the concept that activist groups should dress and act politely and within the context of normality. But rape is normalized. People are angry at the word “f--k” in our name, but not the word “rape.” People should ask themselves why they’re more insulted by the name “F--kRapeCulture” than they are of actual rape culture.
The night of the march, I was walking past a house I heard was known for roofie-ing people. Later, a man catcalled me. The need for an activist group such as F--kRapeCulture is vital and we will not stop regardless of threats or harassment. So bring it on.
Jessica Ensley is a senior studying journalism. Email her at je726810@ohio.edu
