Since this comment in January, outraged groups of women throughout the world have been organizing campus (and community) Slut Walks. Somewhat nostalgic of the Take Back the Night events that began in the 1970s, Slut Walks are public events in which women (and others) march together to incite important dialogue to demonstrate collective opposition to victim-blaming in instances of sexual assault. By walking collectively, some scantily clad, and some not, walkers aim to send a message that regardless of choice of attire, a sexual assault victim/survivor is in no way to blame for being attacked.
So what about the name? First, since the walks are in response to the officer’s comment that instructed women not to dress as sluts, deeming the demonstration a Slut Walk is a direct rebellion to his comment. Secondly, it is provocative. That is the point. Do you think that a walk entitled “The Walk Against Inappropriate Comments by Police Officers Regarding Women’s Attire” would have picked up anywhere near the momentum that Slut Walks have? I doubt it. Some of the Slut Walk organizers are also stating a third purpose for the chosen name: to “reclaim” the word slut. The word slut has a long history of a derogatory term used to oppress women. The founders of the first Slut Walk in Toronto state that they are re-appropriating and ‘taking back’ the word. This third purpose for the provocative title does not sit well with many activists, particularly women from older generations and especially African American women, as a recent article in InsideHigherEd.com described.
Although the whole idea of ‘taking back’ the word slut isn’t appealing to me, I applaud the efforts of the student activists who have brought new attention to something that’s unfortunately not a new issue at all. As the comments in Libby’s earlier post on women in higher education indicate, issues relating to gender, and consequently feminism, may have taken a back seat as of late with some of our classmates (myself included), as we’ve been immersed in working through issues of inequity and justice in other areas. Let the Slut Walk movement serve its purpose with us too by reminding us to engage in critical dialogue on this issue. Although there is no doubt that we’ve come a long way in victim/survivor advocacy in the last 40 years, the Toronto officer’s comment, and the comments coming to his defense (just check out any of the comments made on the many news stories on this issue…), serve as important reminders that many people in positions of power still have an embedded mindset that a sexual assault victim/survivor is to blame for the assault.
I agree with you, Braelin, that I don't agree that taking back the word "slut" is a useful method; however, I think this is a great way for students and the community to challenge victim blaming. I work closely with UNC's Assault Survivor's Advocacy Program (ASAP) and work with students who educate about alcohol and drug use in relation to sex and consent. We developed a passive program last fall that has been very impactful. Did You Notice Me Last Night? is a live art display with signs placed around a students acting as though they are in a specific role (a student who passed out from alcohol poisoning who didn't wake up, a male and female sitting separately reliving the night before where they slept together, and a student passed out who was drawn on at a party). We address the bystander effect and how other students can intervene in party situations.
ReplyDeleteAs we were developing this program, we wanted to make sure that the sexual consent scene was not victim blaming or creating either to be the perpetrator. We try to educate our campus about sexual assault, victim blaming and consent. Last year, we facilitated Denim Day which is a more passive protest than the Slut Walk.
http://www.denimdayinla.org/
Braelin, I am in total agreement with you on your posting. As a former peer educator adivsor, the challenge of engaging and inspiring students was constantly being balanced against "acceptable" language. Is the word "slut" a word to be "reclaimed" and embraced? Hardly, but the fact that the title of the program has brought attention to victim blaming especially in regards to sexual assault is a step in the right direction. Sadly, the police officer's ignorant and harmful comment is a far too prevelant attitude and the proof is in the success of defense strategies that include the "she had it coming" mentality.
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