Abstract:
In this article the topic of a slutwalk is talked about; What it is and how it was originally created. These walks are used to empower women who have been victimized sexually. Using the word slut in the title is an attempt to diminish it's hurtful and derogatory meaning. However, some believe that using this word is only "muddling the movement's message". A large portion of the article debates whether or not the title should be shown in a positive light. The word may be too far gone to try and redefine with a less vulgar meaning . These walks have taken place all over the world from the U.S, London, and New Delhi and involve thousands of people. Although these walks may be controversial they touch upon a very important topic of rape culture.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is your definition of a slut?
2. Do you think the word slut can be redefined?
3. Are slutwalks a good idea or are they inappropriate? If so, what do you think an alternative solution could be?
4. How could slutwalks be changed to be more effective?
5. Why do people blame the victims for the rape? Are the victims at all responsible for the rape?
"Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized."
6. Would you tell your child he/she could not dress a certain way?
7. Why does this term seem to only define women? Why not men?
Dani's Response:
n the past I have heard about slut walks, but have never given them much thought. Basically what stands out though is the name of this event. Although it definitely makes a bold statement I don't think slut was the right word to use. I give the girls credit for being able to embrace the word, but I'm sure there are those who would rather not refer to themselves as sluts. The point is to redefine the meaning of a slut, but to be ok with labeling oneself with a word that already has a bad connotation is difficult. A major point of the article was whether or not the word is even able to be viewed differently. I don't think it is possible for this word particularly. It has been used in a derogatory sense for far too long. However, I do believe that this type of event is a good idea because it is certainly not the victims who cause the rape to occur. The clothes a person wears is never an excuse for consent.
Alden's Response:
I understand the concept of slutwalks, but it doesn't make too much sense to me. Being a slut in today's society is bad, and having slutwalks will do nothing to change the word into a positive one. The most a slutwalk will do is make the sexual victims who march in the slutwalk feel more empowered, but even that isn't for sure. I get the feeling that women who choose to participate in the march are doing it more for attention than anything else. I feel like women who are still struggling with being a victim would not go out onto the street in revealing clothes and march around with a bunch of other "sluts". I don't believe that slutwalks are the way to protect victims, and they definitely won't change the meaning of a slut.
Mikey's Response:
When I first heard the term Slutwalks, I am not going to lie I, I giggled a little bit. The name does not seem worthy of such an important movement against rape victims and how women dress. The word slut has a plethora of terrible meanings and is never used in a positive light, and seeing women trying to embrace this word is somewhat mind boggling. Jarvis, one of two women who started these walks, said so herself that she is only using the word 'slut' to garner attention. These walks started because a constable named Michael Sanguinetti told female students that they should "avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." I understand the controversy of this statement, but I also understand the point that Sanguinetti is trying to get across. Dressing scandalously does not give men the consent to have sex with a women, but women dressed like this are definitely asking for un-needed attention. In any case, if a women is raped because of how she is dressed, she should not be at fault. Women should not be scared of what they wear because of the possibility rape, and men should learn how to control themselves and avoid rape.
Will Slutwalks Change the Meaning of the Word Slut?
More Info about Slutwalks:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SlutWalk
Official Slutwalk DC 2013 site:
http://slutwalkdc.com/wordpress/?page_id=2
Abstract:
In this article the topic of a slutwalk is talked about; What it is and how it was originally created. These walks are used to empower women who have been victimized sexually. Using the word slut in the title is an attempt to diminish it's hurtful and derogatory meaning. However, some believe that using this word is only "muddling the movement's message". A large portion of the article debates whether or not the title should be shown in a positive light. The word may be too far gone to try and redefine with a less vulgar meaning . These walks have taken place all over the world from the U.S, London, and New Delhi and involve thousands of people. Although these walks may be controversial they touch upon a very important topic of rape culture.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is your definition of a slut?
2. Do you think the word slut can be redefined?
3. Are slutwalks a good idea or are they inappropriate? If so, what do you think an alternative solution could be?
4. How could slutwalks be changed to be more effective?
5. Why do people blame the victims for the rape? Are the victims at all responsible for the rape?
"Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized."
6. Would you tell your child he/she could not dress a certain way?
7. Why does this term seem to only define women? Why not men?
Dani's Response:
n the past I have heard about slut walks, but have never given them much thought. Basically what stands out though is the name of this event. Although it definitely makes a bold statement I don't think slut was the right word to use. I give the girls credit for being able to embrace the word, but I'm sure there are those who would rather not refer to themselves as sluts. The point is to redefine the meaning of a slut, but to be ok with labeling oneself with a word that already has a bad connotation is difficult. A major point of the article was whether or not the word is even able to be viewed differently. I don't think it is possible for this word particularly. It has been used in a derogatory sense for far too long. However, I do believe that this type of event is a good idea because it is certainly not the victims who cause the rape to occur. The clothes a person wears is never an excuse for consent.
Alden's Response:
I understand the concept of slutwalks, but it doesn't make too much sense to me. Being a slut in today's society is bad, and having slutwalks will do nothing to change the word into a positive one. The most a slutwalk will do is make the sexual victims who march in the slutwalk feel more empowered, but even that isn't for sure. I get the feeling that women who choose to participate in the march are doing it more for attention than anything else. I feel like women who are still struggling with being a victim would not go out onto the street in revealing clothes and march around with a bunch of other "sluts". I don't believe that slutwalks are the way to protect victims, and they definitely won't change the meaning of a slut.
Mikey's Response:
When I first heard the term Slutwalks, I am not going to lie I, I giggled a little bit. The name does not seem worthy of such an important movement against rape victims and how women dress. The word slut has a plethora of terrible meanings and is never used in a positive light, and seeing women trying to embrace this word is somewhat mind boggling. Jarvis, one of two women who started these walks, said so herself that she is only using the word 'slut' to garner attention. These walks started because a constable named Michael Sanguinetti told female students that they should "avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." I understand the controversy of this statement, but I also understand the point that Sanguinetti is trying to get across. Dressing scandalously does not give men the consent to have sex with a women, but women dressed like this are definitely asking for un-needed attention. In any case, if a women is raped because of how she is dressed, she should not be at fault. Women should not be scared of what they wear because of the possibility rape, and men should learn how to control themselves and avoid rape.