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Volume CXXXI, Number 21 |
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It's time for the men at Bowdoin to step up
CONOR WILLIAMS
My night was supposed to be spent writing an essay on John
Stuart Mill's "harm principle." However, after hearing Jackson
Katz-Safe Space's keynote speaker for Sexual Assault Awareness Week-I've
been finding myself unable to stay focused.
In fact, I've begun to integrate the two topics. Mill's
principle provides that all individual speech and actions are allowable
to the extent that they do not harm other individuals. Beyond that point,
society may regulate liberty.
It's an interesting theory, attractive in its simplicity. In practice,
however, this becomes thorny, particularly within issues of hate speech,
where the harm inflicted on the receiver becomes increasingly nebulous
as it gets entangled with social normality and concern for free expression.
That said, Katz's lecture becomes relevant to my expressed
purpose for the night (writing that paper). How harmful is hate speech
that objectifies or typecasts the role of women in society? How dangerous
are the music videos showing males dominating and controlling females?
Is pornography merely a diversion to release tension behind closed doors?
How much harm should be necessary to warrant active control?
A convincing case can be made that the consistent psychological
harm done to the self-images of women should be enough to neccessitate
speech control. Simultaneously, many decry such arguments, suggesting
that impressing control on language would unnecessarily limit free speech.
There is a substantial body of work, however, to suggest
that the speech and actions in question contribute considerably to violence
against women. Over 99 percent of rapists are men; certainly society's
acquiescence has had a large role in molding such a threatening situation
for women today.
Societal tolerance of the pressures and prejudices creates this unequal
balance. Even ludicrous declarations, like those questioning the validity
of women's suffrage, can affect the mindsets of both men and women, particularly
when compiled with the mass of images contributing to personal prejudices
and stereotypes.
These very same critics often incorrectly apply the harm
principle to justify opposition to those speaking loudly for the cause
of womanhood, the radical "feminazis." They play upon social
apathy toward the subjection of women in speech and media, relying on
deep-set prejudices. Calls for women's groups to "stop seeking sexual
harassment" exemplify these critics' reliance on the inertia of majority
opinion. Those who threaten the status quo invariably cause discomfort
among those resistant to change, but in no way does this constitute harm
or trigger Mill's principle.
A member of the audience challenged Katz's frustration with
the lack of male interest in working to take initiative in the fight to
improve the image of women in society. He questioned whether the provocative
elements of feminism could make males uncomfortable about attending speakers
or getting involved with the movement.
I can't speak for all men, but for me, that's a weak position,
a last refuge for those unwilling to take up the cause when their help
is most urgently needed. Sure, it's tough to stand against some of the
egregious behavior that is customarily tolerated. Feminists can (and do)
cross the line from constructive criticism to angry denunciation of the
suppressing factors. Katz addressed this, after having female members
of the audience list precautions they take to prevent sexual assault.
After they compiled a substantial list, he questioned the men, "Wouldn't
YOU be angry if you lived under these sorts of pressures?"
This is a fight where males have yet to pull their weight.
It's been our turn to pick up the slack for quite some time, fellas. Each
of us, myself included, can do a great deal to provide a healthier, less
threatening atmosphere for women on Bowdoin's campus. You know what we
have to do: challenge our friends when they (even jokingly) refer to or
treat women as objects, refuse to lower ourselves to taking advantage
of women impaired by alcohol-pretty common sense stuff.
Sure, it won't be comfortable; we may encounter residual anger from women who are suspicious of our motives, or mockery from men too afraid to stand up. Still, the time has come for a change. It's time for us to show true strength by choosing to stick out by respecting the daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives in our lives.