Class 12_1

The four articles for class this Monday were all kind of depressing in nature, but also very interesting to read about. The first article, “Fraternities and Rape on Campus”, was especially interesting given the Greek life at our school. I find the pledging process and terminology in Greek life ridiculous beyond belief. The fact that they only recruit certain people due to masculine qualities and their upmost importance of “loyalty, secrecy, and protection” almost disgusts me. With the case of the gang rape at a Florida University, to whom are they being loyal? What about human life, the law, or just plain kindness? I feel like so much importance is put on such trivial matters in fraternities, and the culture of the fraternity really needs to change in order to address important issues such as violence against women, and the hierarchy between men and women. This reminds me of the patriarchy article read earlier this semester, about how we need to look at the entire system as a whole, not just the individuals involved. While it would be nice to persecute individual members based on individual actions, I think that the entire system needs to be made over, and to question the system and the ideas behind what made those boys act the way they did. I also was upset reading about the gender hierarchy that existed between the “Little Sisters” and “Big Brothers” in the fraternity system she examined. I was disgusted by the role that these women play, catering to men. I was also sick reading about how males who are in relationships can have sex with their girlfriends, but at open parties their girlfriends aren’t allowed, and they are free to have sex with other women. I don’t believe in cheating and I don’t think that women should stand for it. I feel that these “women servers” are being used just for sex and to attract good “brothers”. I feel that the entire system needs to be changed, and the gender hierarchy abolished.

I enjoyed reading the second article, “Men Changing Men” because I believe that more projects such as this need to be mandatory for certain men. I liked the fact that some men have come to the conclusion that it isn’t ok to batter women, to call them property, and to take their emotions out on them. I think more men need to think this way and try to make a difference in their behavior, as well as other men. I think so much of men’s behavior is behavior of a pack. Similar to the fraternity article, most crimes happen because of men testing other men. Gang rapes happen to prove their masculinity or prove a point; instead men should focus on themselves. I think we talk the most about women being insecure with themselves, but I think a lot of male violence occurs because of the same reasons; men are insecure about the way other men view them, so they prove their masculinity or toughness through violence or rape.

Morgan’s article in Listen Up was almost hard to read. I was very saddened to read it, and mad about the way that her rapes were handled. Her parents and friends reactions to her rape were ridiculous; no supporting parents would ignore an action like that or punish their daughter for it. I think that is absurd. I was also sad that nothing more came out of any of her confessions. While she did the right thing by coming to her parents, the police, and the hospital about her rapes, which many women don’t do, I was shocked that nothing was ever followed up on. The police never made an effort to try and convict any of her rapists, and no one was there to support her or give her counseling after the attack.

The final article for Monday was nice to read, because it was about empowerment of women. I agree with her that women should be trained in self defense, as it works as a surprise attack on their attackers. Most men don’t believe that women are trained or will even try and fight back. I admire her for training herself, and it makes me want to be trained, especially if I ever live alone. I want to be able to defend myself in case of an attack, and protect myself.

Overall, the articles for Monday were sad but also interesting to read as they gave good insight into male organizations, and advocated for women to protect themselves, and be able to defend themselves from an attacker. I think that men and male organizations have a long way to go before there can ever be an equal status between men and women, however.