Letters to the Editor
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Misogyny Ahoy!
As guy, let me offer the following:
Real cases of false accusations and/or situations of mixed messages does not erase the real, larger problem of rape and rape deniers. As someone else put it: "It's a huge logical flaw in any argument - because we haven't fixed ALL problems, we shouldn't bother to fix this one."
All these other cases being cited are beside the point:
- Female teachers molesting students. Unlike male teachers who molest, female teachers don't get their actions hushed up and reassigned. Every single one of these women have been convicted and have done time. Victims of female molesters do not get their behavior put on trial, the defense do not try to argue the victim "seemed older" or is making it up.
- The Duke case. I'm tired of this being cited. An overzealous, unethical DA chose to charge before a complete investigation, but the system worked. They were exonerated and he's in trouble. It was the DA who did this, not the alleged victim - had he followed proper procedure it would've been resolved without wrecking lives.
One highly publicized case in no way proves a widespread pattern of false accusations. The difficulty of rape cases without hard evidence is documented, the fantasy of vast numbers of female false accusers doesn't exist.
If a guy is so sexist he genuinely believes women are inherently dishonest about sex, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Not only will he ignore obvious hints but also direct statements. The guys who most often complain about "not being a mind reader" are the ones who assume "not interested" is playing hard to get. Plus guys are equally evasive, as it's harder for someone to openly reject you if you aren't openly hitting on them until the last moment.
Plus, with sex as any risky choice anyone can be uncertain if they really want to do it until the last moment. This is NOT lying or leading someone on, it's being human.
I'm disturbed by how some guys are so invested in the idea rape is primarily a lie women use to get men, and that women overall are selfish, self-centered, angry, playing power games, etc. To these guys I say, projecting much?
How small and pathetic does have to be to assume the worst of half the human race? If you really think 50% of humans are spiteful, indecisive harpies, perhaps you should just take that final exit from this life you hate.