Thanks for setting women back Ms. Lanker-Simons

I'm about to get a little political right now. I'm outraged to find out that a recent incident involving threat of sexual violence against a student based on her political views was in fact initiated by the student who the threat was directed. I'm assuming the motive behind such an absurd move was to raise tensions for a rally against rape culture that was held yesterday on campus. After reading her blog, her outrage at the comment, and the responses to her outrage, the only conclusion I can reach is she's off her rocker. I don't like her political views, they don't match mine. I would never in a million years imagine advocating violence against women by any means. Surprisingly I have seen women on her side of the proverbial fence advocate violence against women who don't share the same views as they do (see Ravelry discussion circa 2008, I think one woman said she would like to see Sarah Palin raped with a hockey stick). I would also like to point out that our society's numbness to and propagation of violence appalls me. As a society we need to view everyone as equals, by race, religion, political beliefs, gender and sexual orientation. Yet the very people who are claiming to be fighting against such violence and hatred are at the same time advancing it. That is exactly what this young lady has done. She has lost all her credibility by being the source of the comment, and in doing so has set back the fight to end rape culture; not that protesting by angry feminists achieves that goal. So here is what I have to say about the protest against rape culture. It seems to me that as of late I see more protest by women who are seeming to attempt to make themselves a target for rape. Yes there are actually bat shit crazy girls who fantasize about this stuff if only to get the poor baby response. I'm sure it is a very interesting area of psychology that I wish I had the knowledge to delve into. So how do we end rape culture? I don't have a freaking clue. But I'm sure the best way to start is to quit being the victim. Show would be rapists that we won't take the violence by fighting back, not by throwing protests. As my husband's cousin (former police officer) said, learn some pressure points, carry a means of leveling the playing field and take a little time to learn how to use it (mace, tasers and my personal choice a handgun). I know that I can't always carry my gun with me, but I can learn measures to minimize my risk. I shouldn't have to be afraid, but if I take away the opportunity and hopefully make that potential rapist afraid of me, then I fell like I win. Think of it this way, rapists feed on fear, power and control. Take that away from them and they have nothing. After that we need to be a little nicer to other women. If you advocate violence against a woman you don't like you are essentially advocating violence against all women. Stop it.