These are just a few of the many selection of "pro-rape" t-shirts out and available on the Internet. More Shirts
Another selection of shirts has the theme of pedophilia. People who wear these shirts probably don't read too much into it. It's just a shirt with a "clever joke on it"; but to many it is an offensive remark that simplifies the pain of sexual abuse and assault.
If having rape become normalized in the media isn't bad enough, now we have people being pro-rape billboards. Or perhaps, I just don't get the joke?
Having these types of messages printed on t-shirts, eliminates the real problems of rape. It makes rape into a joke, something that is funny. These jokes don't show the faces, bodies, and emotions of the many who are victims/ SURVIVORS of rape, incest, sexual abuse or assault.
This is something that is becoming more and more prominent in our culture. We often hear people make jokes about rape and synonymously use the word rape in for occasions that don't involve rape. Such as:
- "That test totally raped me hard!". . . something was difficult
- "No don't tickle me, or I'll yell Rape!" . . . you are bothering me
- "Classical music rapes my ears". . . to bother
- "We are completely raping the other team!" . . . to be better than another
- "I just got eye-raped" . . . to be looked at sexually
Another selection of shirts has the theme of pedophilia. People who wear these shirts probably don't read too much into it. It's just a shirt with a "clever joke on it"; but to many it is an offensive remark that simplifies the pain of sexual abuse and assault.
Rape culture dominates our views therefore it is easy for people to think these t-shirts are funny when they don't see the reality of rape and pedophilia. Rape is just something that is taken lightly as a joke by the average person.
i would just like to commend you for choosing this topic for your blog. rape is a scary and vulnerable thing and talking about it can be even more scary sometimes. i think you put excellent work into this. your thoughts are incredibly thought out and rather than giving stastics on rape you look into it more deeply to analyze it...which most people do not do. nice work.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea shirts like this were out there. Believe it or not I have never seen someone wearing one. The T-shirts are appalling!...I can't believe these shirts were allowed to be made. You brought up the question about regulations for comedians with jokes about rape and it makes me think, what kind of regulations can the govt. make in general for rape culture...especially something so simple as not allowing these offensive T-shirts to be made. It disgusts me the things are country does to make money. Also, what I love about feminism is that it has changed my mind set. For example, I don't think I would have thought about the comedian encouraging rape culture, I would have just laughed and feminism and your blog made me think differently. You have done a tremendous job with this blog. Thanks for all the helpful insight :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I cannot believe people would actually buy these t-shirts. They are so wrong.... Your blog is extremely interesting, and to be honest I had no idea how prevalent rapes are; the statistics at the top were eerily alarming. Good job with all the info!
ReplyDeleteWhere to order this shirts plz?
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