All the Wrong Questions

I went to therapy today and we talked about how I tend to have this knee jerk reactions about not trusting people . . . well, people with penises.  I come home and the first thing I see is this article.

In this quaint little Texas town, a little girl of 11 was gang raped by at least 18 boys and men. Not just in one house.  They started raping her in one house and then once an adult arrived, they MOVED HER to an abandoned trailer and continued to rape her. They told her that if she didn't submit, she would be beaten.

In the article, of course, we have to blame the victim for this.  "Why was she in that part of town?" "Where was her mother?" "She wore so much makeup and dressed trashy." "She looked at least 20."

All of these things tell us certain factors about those who made the statements.

1. If someone dresses over the age, it's okay to rape them.
2. If someone is hanging out with the boys, it's okay to rape them.
3. If someone isn't being supervises on a constant basis by parents, it's okay to rape them.
4. If someone is in the wrong place, it's okay to rape them.

This is all bullshit. And we know it's all bullshit. At least, I hope we do.

Is it wise to keep yourself away from the bad places and the bad people? Yeah, it is.  But you know what? Even if you do, those people will rape someone.  It may not be you, but it will happen.

Because in countries where women are kept completely away from men, they still get raped. In places where women are forced to dress modestly, they still get raped.  In places where people are under constant supervision of their parents, they still get raped. In places where girls are never allowed out of the house unless with man companions, they still get raped.

In fact, I would venture to say they probably get raped more often in places like that.

If we have to ask ourselves questions, let's look at these instead.

1. Why would you think it's okay to rape someone?
2. Why would you think it's okay to rape a child?
3. Why would you think it's okay to inflict misery and destruction on someone's life just so you can have an orgasm?
4. When you see other people harming someone, why would you not stop them? Or call the police?
5. After you did this to someone, how could you live with yourself? Why would you not just end your own life?

The boys who raped this girl should be put to death.  They destroyed the person she was and the life she had.  If they believe they can get away with this, they will do it again.  Maybe not in a group, but again. And again. And again. They are monsters and should be put down.