One of the key words in this post will be censored. I've never known why and I contend that it ought not to be because it is sending a fundamentally wrong message.
I've been following this case for some months now, but given the recent media coverage, I'm not sure whether I should be surprised or not surprised that the topic has yet to be raised here.
Well, I think it's important, so I'm raising it now.
Relevant facts of the case:
A girl went to a party somewhere in Steubenville, a party at which several members of the local football team were present.
The girl subsequently became intoxicated to the point that she was for all intents and purposes unconscious.
Over the next several hours, several members of aforementioned football team performed and recorded unsolicited sexual acts on the girl. They then continued recording while they drove the unconscious girl to several other parties where the same happened. During this, it is verbally acknowledged on recording that the girl is unconscious, that the sexual acts being performed are without any form of consent, and that they willfully disregard this while continuing to perform the acts.
This footage is still publicly available as it was published on several social networking sites. I will refrain from linking to it here.
The girl is eventually dumped outside her own house. She is not aware of the events of the night until it is brought to her attention as a result of the distribution of recorded footage on networking sites.
Subsequent attempts to clarify what happened and to seek legal advice are met with resistance and threats in order to suppress the family of the girl. This appears to be because Steubenville's football players were involved.
It takes a sustained and somewhat-illegal campaign led by Anonymous to bring to public attention the specific details of the case, including the details of people they believe were positively identified in the footage, that the acts recorded constitute ****, and that prosecution ought to follow.
Eventually, two of the perpetrators are tried and convicted of ****.
Subsequently, just about every major broadcasting network in the US laments the destruction of two promising football careers and the tragedy of young men being convicted of ****.
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It's at this point that much of the world took notice and went "Wait, what?" While it is true that the girl did attend the party, and did become intoxicated, this incident is being portrayed such that the girl is the one at fault. And that the ones who ***** her (repeatedly and willfully, on video) are the victims. And every one of these media reports appear to conveniently forget what sexual assault actually is, and what standards we, as purportedly civilised people, are supposed to be holding ourselves to.
What I want to know is, can any of you tell me what the hell is going on in America? What's the real deal? What does the public actually think of this case, or are they only aware of the media party line and therefore agree that the boys are the victims? And what the **** is wrong with a country with institutions that rally behind patriotic hubris to the extent that it disregards the rights which it supposedly granted equally to its citizens? What kind of shameful pride is that?
Tell me it isn't so. This isn't a problem unique to the US, of course, seeing as Australia has had a similar problem with its own footy **** culture several years ago, and worse happens on a regular basis in India, not to mention other places... but thanks to the happenings in a small town in the US, and the subsequent distortion of justice and the media machine which is plain as day to anybody who doesn't live there, the spotlight, America, is now on you.
How are, 'Western ideals' of letting people do what they want, imposing anything on anyone? No one is stopping a woman from dressing conservatively if she wishes, but she's free to choose otherwise too. The only oppressors here are you.
Your act of telling people to give other people freedom is an act of imposing in itself, I really hate it when westerners voice their opposition to our culture and beliefs, as I don\\t criticize their's although i don't like it much
I really hate it when westerners voice their opposition to our culture and beliefs, as I don\\\\t criticize their's although i don't like it much
Why? Because it forces you to self-reflect, and potentially grow as a person? Or because it forces you to defend immoral and outdated practices that only persisted into the modern era due to physical, religious, and political oppression, bigotry, sexism, and a lack of education?
Voicing opposition to things is how things get solved and made better. If you don't have a debate about something, problems and injustices will be allowed to continue. Make the world a better place than you found it. If, from your perspective, you see problems with western culture, shout it out, but be willing to listen to alternate perspectives. Trust me, There are tons of problems in western cultures and I personally complain about a lot of them.... frequently.
Right, since you guys are talking about it, at first I was thinking of bringing up a case with parallels that originated in Halifax, CA. But instead, I will cite this article:
I am aware the article itself is written from a so-called "Western perspective". Let's just focus on the facts instead: that quoted sources verify that the Saudi Arabia Religious Police have decreed they will force a woman to cover their eyes if they are deemed "tempting", whatever the heck this means. I will also draw another quote from the article to give this some perspective and also to seek clarification from followers of Islam faith, in particular anybody who might be living in Saudi Arabia (as extremely unlikely as this will be as there's a hostile gulf between the cultures, as you can kind of see here):
Prince Naif, recently appointed heir to the throne, has said: âThe committee is supported by all sides ... It should be supported because it is a pillar from Islam. If you are a Muslim, you should support the committee.â
Right, since you guys are talking about it, at first I was thinking of bringing up a case with parallels that originated in Halifax, CA. But instead, I will cite this article:
Saudi Arabia's Religious Police Outlaw Tempting Eyes
I am aware the article itself is written from a so-called "Western perspective". Let's just focus on the facts instead: that quoted sources verify that the Saudi Arabia Religious Police have decreed they will force a woman to cover their eyes if they are deemed "tempting", whatever the heck this means. I will also draw another quote from the article to give this some perspective and also to seek clarification from followers of Islam faith, in particular anybody who might be living in Saudi Arabia (as extremely unlikely as this will be as there's a hostile gulf between the cultures, as you can kind of see here):
Right, since you guys are talking about it, at first I was thinking of bringing up a case with parallels that originated in Halifax, CA. But instead, I will cite this article:
Saudi Arabia's Religious Police Outlaw Tempting Eyes
I am aware the article itself is written from a so-called "Western perspective". Let's just focus on the facts instead: that quoted sources verify that the Saudi Arabia Religious Police have decreed they will force a woman to cover their eyes if they are deemed "tempting", whatever the heck this means. I will also draw another quote from the article to give this some perspective and also to seek clarification from followers of Islam faith, in particular anybody who might be living in Saudi Arabia (as extremely unlikely as this will be as there's a hostile gulf between the cultures, as you can kind of see here):
Shocked
I live here and have not heard about it need to get out more. As far as I have heard it, they are reducing privliges of muttawwas(Religiouse police as known by public).
As far as I have heard it, they are reducing privliges of muttawwas(Religiouse police as known by public).
I do need some confirmation of that... various smatterings of news has indicated in some countries this may be the case, but different things are happening in different countries.
What I (and most of us) don't have is any insight into a lot of the culture, as to rationales for what we perceive as gender inequality. Anything would be good, but that may be something for another thread.
CNN didn't even mention the girl in some parts of the news segment. It just shows how stupid and news-thirsty they are. They don't even give any sympathy to the family of the girl. Kudos to Anonymous for helping bring some justice to society, albeit illegally.
Anon has a bit of a chequered record with these crusades. Some of them result in something approaching justice happening, as was the case here. Others target the wrong people and ruin an innocent person's life. And others, while most likely justifiably indignant, criticise the wrong party and end up being counterproductive.
