posted
...and I can't get over how depressing this is.
Ok, so a few weeks ago you guys may or may not have seen my post about Kelly Dodson, the rape survivor. What it comes down to is I'm disgusted that people can be laughing when there is a serious issue: a girl almost getting rapes. And worse, that other women in that apartment complex DID get raped. An attacker is on the loose, or was anyway, and the police did nothing about it.
Anyway, this really offended me, this whole thing. And today my sister, A, who I am very close to, posted the video on Facebook for R (her fiance) and his co workers to see. I was confused, because I always pegged her to be a thinker like me, so essentially here's the conversation that ensued:
Me: Did you post this because you actually find this FUNNY or because you're concerned that a girl was almost raped?
A: Because it's just funny enough. And R likes it.
Me: I don't think it's funny that a girl was almost raped. And that multiple women in that complex WERE raped. And the police don't give a shit. I expected better from you, A.
R: Multiple women weren't raped dude, this is the only girl in the complex who it happened to and the police were doing something, they gathered up all that evidence and crap. Why are you getting all defensive about it and exaggerating what's in the video..? The situation isn't funny, it's funny they let that ghetto dude talk all that smack on TV.
Me: That's not what happened. I wrote a note about this weeks ago and there's a link on it. GO READ IT.
After this I went and told my roommates about the whole thing, trying to vent out my anger and have someone agree with me that they're in the wrong, only to have one argue that because of that video the Dodson's made a lot of money (something I knew before, but still don't consider justification for people laughing at the situation) and then even saying she thought it was hilarious, which was NOT what I wanted to hear.
Anyway, at that point I was just feeling utterly disgusted with my two favorite people in the world, people that I thought WOULDN'T turn this situation into a joke, or at least people that would understand why it upsets me so much. Not to mention the rest of my family (my roommates) that don't give a crap either.
I don't know what to do. This whole thing with Kelly has me so rattled up, and I don't know if I should fight for it or not, or even in the info me or they have is correct.
So I guess what I'm asking is: Does anyone have the correct articles? Does anyone know the latest? Everything I know about it I pretty much got from the first link, and I admit I don't know how accurate all that info is. I just wanna know what's actually going on, and if the things I'm arguing are even true or not. And if what I think is true IS TRUE, then how do I tell my family how I feel and try to communicate how much this bothers me? I just wanna cry and cry about it, and I don't know how to fight for the things I think are right and that I'm passionate about.
-------------------- Bicycle? I prefer a homocycle. Posts: 118 | From: Houston | Registered: Aug 2010
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I understood your frustration, i've found the chain reaction that followed Antoine's press coverage very disturbing. Obviously, a large part of the problem is that in concentrating on this man, the press and the various online have rendered Kelly, the victim, invisible. That's not okay. What you haven't mentioned but probably recognise is the language used to describe and mock Antoine has been racist and very classist. While i dislike that the story has focused on his involvement, rather than addressing the trauma Kelly's experienced, the way people are treating him standing out is frankly disgusting.
I don't know if we're allowed to link outside content here for safety reasons, etc, but if you're interested you should check out Shakesville and Feministe for their critiques of the issues here (as well as citing their sources;)
Really though.. all the counter arguments your family are presenting? do they really negate the problematic issues involved in broadcasting this story? I'd say no. This story is indicative of lots of institutionalised bigotry relating to rape culture, patriachy, race and class.
Posts: 172 | From: Australia | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I felt the same way about Kelly! My biggest concern was that no one recognized her as a victim, just a secondary character to Antoine. I can't imagine how she must feel about this whole thing.
-------------------- Bicycle? I prefer a homocycle. Posts: 118 | From: Houston | Registered: Aug 2010
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