2008 Woodie Awards
Take back the night, but what's the point?
By: Brian Kutzley
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Forum
Take Back the Night. It's a noble cause. The BG News interviewed organizers and participants in the recent rally, and came up with some fascinating - and disturbing - insights.
One such participant is cited as saying "even those of us who haven't been victimized are afraid to walk at night … None of us is safe, and that's not fair." And the solution proposed by the rally is, of course, to "raise awareness."
What does that even mean? A sexual assailant is someone who has no regard for the person he is forcibly taking possession of.
It is a crime so egregious that I fully support extending the death penalty to all cases of pedophilia and premeditated rape. "Raising awareness" does nothing to deter such individuals.
I do, however, respect Take Back the Night because it has a much more valuable - and unambiguous - goal: support.
Reports indicate that the majority of sexually-based violence is not reported. If this event can help change that, I give it my full support.
Other events lack a similarly noble undercurrent. I have seen transgender awareness events which present mock gravestones with the names of individuals murdered for their alternative lifestyles.
But what's the point? These protesters co-opt the victims of tragedy to do nothing but validate their culture of victimization and secure their spot on the moral high ground.
Two summers ago I worked in Montana for a political research organization. All interns lived on the ranch, isolated from the rest of the world.
Well, one day we were having a conversation about cultural iconography and offensiveness. The inspiration for the topic was one of those creepy-looking "Darwin Fish" car stickers.
I was contending that images that mock Christianity are on a level with jokes mocking gay stereotypes; we should either accept a laugh at our expense every so often, or we're forced to tiptoe around every subject of merit.
The resident gay rights advocate - a female - was not convinced.
One such participant is cited as saying "even those of us who haven't been victimized are afraid to walk at night … None of us is safe, and that's not fair." And the solution proposed by the rally is, of course, to "raise awareness."
What does that even mean? A sexual assailant is someone who has no regard for the person he is forcibly taking possession of.
It is a crime so egregious that I fully support extending the death penalty to all cases of pedophilia and premeditated rape. "Raising awareness" does nothing to deter such individuals.
I do, however, respect Take Back the Night because it has a much more valuable - and unambiguous - goal: support.
Reports indicate that the majority of sexually-based violence is not reported. If this event can help change that, I give it my full support.
Other events lack a similarly noble undercurrent. I have seen transgender awareness events which present mock gravestones with the names of individuals murdered for their alternative lifestyles.
But what's the point? These protesters co-opt the victims of tragedy to do nothing but validate their culture of victimization and secure their spot on the moral high ground.
Two summers ago I worked in Montana for a political research organization. All interns lived on the ranch, isolated from the rest of the world.
Well, one day we were having a conversation about cultural iconography and offensiveness. The inspiration for the topic was one of those creepy-looking "Darwin Fish" car stickers.
I was contending that images that mock Christianity are on a level with jokes mocking gay stereotypes; we should either accept a laugh at our expense every so often, or we're forced to tiptoe around every subject of merit.
The resident gay rights advocate - a female - was not convinced.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 22
khk
posted 4/08/08 @ 1:30 PM EST
testing website integrety
John
posted 4/08/08 @ 2:22 PM EST
So you're only interested in a dialogue if its purpose is to propose harsher punishments for offenders? You wish we would hold a rally pleading for the police to do their job? And you never talk about dead people? And you don't support gay rights? And you really think that TBTN was generated solely to march around pointing fingers at every guy on the sidewalk? And egregious is the biggest word you know? I didn't know the BG News was still letting raving lunatics onto the staff. (Continued…)
matthew koogler
posted 4/08/08 @ 4:36 PM EST
John, have you been reading the BGnews? I'm actually curious how these writers made it onto the staff... I think if you're really good at unfounded inflammatory statements you're in. (Continued…)
MME
posted 4/08/08 @ 5:03 PM EST
Aw, we've offended him by making him aware of his own privilege as a white, heterosexual male. Poor dear, it must be so hard for him to walk the streets at night, knowing that all the women he encounters probably consider him a potential rapist. (Continued…)
errol
posted 4/08/08 @ 8:50 PM EST
this columnist continues to show his huge gender oppression and his complete disrespect for the right of others who do not think like he does...
Eileen Devany
posted 4/09/08 @ 12:09 AM EST
Take back the night is not a candle light vigil strictly in remembrance of those who have died as a result of domestic violence and sexual assault, but as a rally for survivors. (Continued…)
a
posted 4/09/08 @ 1:13 AM EST
"Instead, they assign blame in a carpet-bombing fashion. I don't support gay rights? I must be a potential rapist."
Taking an individual's remarks and applying them to an entire oppressed group's pleas for equal treatment is also carpet-bombing attacking
Emily Resnik
posted 4/09/08 @ 8:10 AM EST
I can understand how Kutzley can have a strong, positive opinion about the Iraq war - not that I necessarily agree with him, but it's something a lot of people have strong feelings about. (Continued…)
M&M
posted 4/10/08 @ 10:08 AM EST
The BG News - give a guest column space to present
the 'other' side of the TAKE BACK THE NIGHT to
Brian's
Gonna Put Bobbi Gagne in Jail
posted 4/14/08 @ 3:55 AM EST
The real reason sexual assault statistic go DOWN after the Take Back The Night cult leads its so-called "trainings" is that "victims" are not able to make credible witnesses, since they no longer are self-respecting women but are reduced to psycho-babbling "survivors" who are USUALLY counseled NOT to file complaints, but INSTEAD to participate in the NEXT "Take Back The Night" ritual of blaming ALL men for the crimes of the assailants and promoting the sick notion that it is male NATURE to rape. (Continued…)
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