#svam

[s-vam]

Day 8: pumpkin butcher I dare you to call them hairy

[ifelten]

Tøndersvamp (Fomes fomentarius)

Genbesøgt efter et år (fra november 2018: https://tmblr.co/ZhRBrn2dYGvLW)

Tinder Conc (Fomes fomentarius)

Revisited after a year (from november 2018: https://tmblr.co/ZhRBrn2dYGvLW)

[likeclockwork-or-not]

Headlines

"Bill Cosby found guilty in sexual assault [re]trial in milestone for #MeToo era"

"Incel, the misogynist ideology that inspired the deadly Toronto attack, explained"

I'm not quite sure what to do with these headlines. It's a snapshot of an historic cultural moment. I get that. But they triggered something deeper this week.

It's funny (not funny-haha, but sardonically funny) how a few phrases can illuminate so plainly how f***ed up this culture is.

Apparently, we need an era in order for people (primarily women) to be validated for saying assault and harassment are happening and are harmful. Clearly no one was paying attention to the previous 2000 years that they were a problem. 

Apparently we also need an era for men to be held accountable. In Cosby’s case, 57 women FIFTY-SEVEN have come forward.

The “statute of limitations” have run out for many of these cases so they can’t be prosecuted (because, you know, if someone doesn’t come forward right away the incident is null and void. The perpetrator shouldn’t have to deal with the fallout later. If the incident even happened at all, of course). But Cosby was, finally, convicted on three counts.

(Feeling cynical, the conviction is more symbolic than anything because he will likely only serve 3-5 years on house arrest.)

At the same time, grossly heteronormative, entitled dudes are escalating their whiny temper tantrums over not "getting" sex from women into acts of terrorism. Seriously?

Officials won't call it terrorism, but it is. And we are enmeshed in a terroristic culture.

ter·ror·ism 

NOUN

the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

These aren’t just tragedies. Abuse, sexual assault, harassment, the “incel rebellion,” I mean. They are also not isolated incidents.

They are deliberate acts; symptoms of a broader cultural system.

Sometimes it takes turning something on its head, looking at it from a different angle, to really see it for what it is. Point of view matters.

Right vs wrong. Acceptable vs. unacceptable. Sustainable vs. Unsustainable. These things don’t change -- our interpretations of them do.

The headlines at the top illustrate cultural expectations and norms. I think that’s what got under my skin. This is just a moment in time. We are so deeply ingrained in cultural norms - regardless of whether they’re good for us or not.

And if my tone sounds a little less than gracious, it’s because, as a human being who has experienced these things first-, second-, and third-hand on micro and macro levels, I am unapologetically over it.

Some people are uncomfortable when I say things like this. By the attitude I bring to this conversation. Don’t rock the boat, right?

But speaking up isn’t what’s rocking this boat. And that discomfort is entirely misdirected.

It is not my job to placate, to make anyone a little more comfortable by glossing over or ignoring the realities that exist - no matter how long they’ve been hidden or how strongly they are denied. #wakeupcall

For the record, it isn’t your job either.

[hardcore-cupcakes]

We're ladies who like to brunch ☕️💜 #gracetagram #svam #zigzagyoungwomensresourcecentre (at Grace College)

[gurlbi89-blog]

Planned Parenthood sent me this text. How'd they get my number? Anyway, this is important. #svam #sexualviolenceawarenessmonth #consent is #fries🍟 https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL3xP1jlf1jgJRkChwVOlwQcV0-UqcWiFV&v=qNN3nAevQKY