While writing about rape jokes several related things came up that seem to be noteworthy. Or at least related to the previous discussion.
It turns out that this back and forth happened on Twitter:
As an aside, who is Zerlina Maxwell? If the name sounds familiar, it's because Jill Filipovic said she disappeared due to sexism in the workplace. Apparently the best example of sexism in the workplace (in particular, the tech industry) is a seemingly self employed political writer.
But more on that another day.
Back to how awful it us to use rape to make a political point.
Just who would do that? Jamie Kilstein would! Previously, in a way reminiscent of Greenwald's nun rape comparison, Kilstein joked about Obama randomly stabbing strangers.
Would Kilstein stoop so low as to use rape to criticize his opponents?
In a word, yes.
Of course.
And then PZ, of course, won't be left out:
Once again, the "progressive" and "feminist" heroes fail to see in themselves what they would criticize in others.
Typical.
It turns out that this back and forth happened on Twitter:
@angryblacklady @g_p_g @ggreenwald @emptywheelABL, Obama could rape a nun live on NBC and you'd say we weren't seeing what we were seeing
— Dr.Dawg (@DrDawg) January 1, 2012
@drdawg @angryblacklady @g_p_g @emptywheel No - she'd say it was justified & noble- that he only did it to teach us about the evils of rape.When confronted, Glenn Greenwald doubled down:
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 1, 2012
@jennpozner @jamilsmith It is NOT a "rape metaphor": it's a statement they they'd defend ANY evil: assassinations, child-killings: EVEN rapeZerlina Maxwell discusses the subject:
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 1, 2012
“Leveraging rape in that manner is unconscionable,” Gandy told theGrio. And there are certainly racial overtones to the comment, considering the historic narrative of black men being sexually aggressive and even accused rapists in the Jim Crow south. For the first black president to be disparaged in this way is wholly unacceptable.
“All [Greenwald] had to do was apologize,” said Gandy.
Disagreements with the administration for drone attacks that kill innocent civilians, the detainment of terror suspects, and the prison at Guantanamo Bay remaining open are par for the course. Healthy debate on substance is always important. What is not par for the course is a prominent blogger not only condoning a disparaging comment about the president and rape, but reiterating that it is a valid point to make.
Rape should never be employed to make a point — any point — no matter how noble the intent. It is not a tool to be leveraged as a metaphor. Rape is a vicious crime, and the casual nature in which Greenwald condoned the use of rape to attack those who have a different opinion from his own is deeply disturbing.
As an aside, who is Zerlina Maxwell? If the name sounds familiar, it's because Jill Filipovic said she disappeared due to sexism in the workplace. Apparently the best example of sexism in the workplace (in particular, the tech industry) is a seemingly self employed political writer.
But more on that another day.
Back to how awful it us to use rape to make a political point.
Just who would do that? Jamie Kilstein would! Previously, in a way reminiscent of Greenwald's nun rape comparison, Kilstein joked about Obama randomly stabbing strangers.
Would Kilstein stoop so low as to use rape to criticize his opponents?
In a word, yes.
Up until this second I thought it was the head of the IDF that was accused of rape. And I was like "jeez guys, one crime at a time guys."And would Kilstein make a more run of the mill rape joke?
— Jamie Kilstein (@jamiekilstein) May 15, 2011
Of course.
Who did DSK have to rape to get his bail posted?
— Jamie Kilstein (@jamiekilstein) May 19, 2011
And then PZ, of course, won't be left out:
Once again, the "progressive" and "feminist" heroes fail to see in themselves what they would criticize in others.
Typical.