South Africa's black women are organising a Minskirt parade to celebrate their sexiness. I imagine women walking around in low cut dresses. Would they like to encourage men to watch them? I raise the following question since it is happening right here in our back yard: is it wise - in a country like ours where - for black women to demand the right to have a miniskirt parade?
I probably need to shout this at the top of my voice: THE PROBLEM IS ONE OF CONTEXT. In many other countries it is quite absurd to have anyone prescribe what you wear. In South Africa, it may be in our interest, black and white, men and women, to appear more modest than we'd otherwise want to be, in order to avoid the attentions of rapists and murderers.
I probably need to shout this at the top of my voice: THE PROBLEM IS ONE OF CONTEXT. In many other countries it is quite absurd to have anyone prescribe what you wear. In South Africa, it may be in our interest, black and white, men and women, to appear more modest than we'd otherwise want to be, in order to avoid the attentions of rapists and murderers.
I get the whole schpiel that no one should tell anyone else how to dress. I'm not debating that we ought to be living in a free society in South Africa, and that people ought not to dictate, for example, dress codes. So that's not the issue. I am debating the context of a nation's women demanding that they be allowed to be sexualised to the extent that they mean to be. Hello, there are 150 rapes a day in South Africa. 50 murders a day.
Something bothers me about the sense and sensibility of our countries black women who want to make sure their sexiness is seen and celebrated within this context. Is it wise or even safe? See, in South Africa we live in a society with the highest rape stats in the world, including violent rape, and also the highest prevalence of HIV. I've just returned from South Korea where HIV infection is under .1%. The women dress very conservatively - although on weekends, somewhat less so.
Something bothers me about the sense and sensibility of our countries black women who want to make sure their sexiness is seen and celebrated within this context. Is it wise or even safe? See, in South Africa we live in a society with the highest rape stats in the world, including violent rape, and also the highest prevalence of HIV. I've just returned from South Korea where HIV infection is under .1%. The women dress very conservatively - although on weekends, somewhat less so.
I just imagine a particular woman going to a miniskirt parade and being raped on the way back. My question then would be, isn't modesty a salient act of defence in this country, something like wearing less jewellery when one goes shopping?
More:
World's "Rape Capital" delays new sex abuse legislation
Culture misused in miniskirt wars
150 rapes a day in SA
New child rapes fuel S. Africa crisis
More:
World's "Rape Capital" delays new sex abuse legislation
Culture misused in miniskirt wars
150 rapes a day in SA
New child rapes fuel S. Africa crisis
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