The following is a great article by a feminist male friend of mine I had the pleasure to meet at the Men Can Stop Rape Conference in DC in April 2009.
The men who kill women - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News
By Ben Atherton Zeman/Local columnist
GHS
Posted Aug 09, 2009 @ 12:20 AM
An excerpt:
We may never know why George Sodini killed three women and wounded nine others this week.
George Sodini clearly had anger and contempt for women. He objectified girls and women, seeming to see them only as potential sex partners for him. In his online blog, he called them "hoez," "hottie" and "very edible." He lamented that he was lonely and isolated.
We may never know what caused George Sodini to shoot twelve women at the LA Fitness Gym outside Pittsburg on July 4. But after reading his writings, it comes as no surprise to me. He wrote about how "a man needs a woman for confidence," and lamented that no woman would date him.
On the same day, Barack Obama celebrated his 48th birthday. It was also veteran White House journalist Helen Thomas' 89th birthday. Obama chose to celebrate his birthday by bringing cupcakes to Thomas and singing "Happy Birthday" to her, along with the rest of the White House press corps.
We may never know what caused Barack Obama to give that gift to Helen Thomas. But after reading his writings and hearing him speak, it comes as no surprise to me. Barack Obama clearly has respect, kindness and good humor for women. George Sodini clearly had hatred, self-pity and contempt for women.
Both men were in their late 40s. Both were surely influenced by how their parents raised them, and by their own choices. Both men took their actions based on a set of beliefs built up over their lives.
To my fellow men I ask: which man do you want to emulate?
...Misogyny and men's violence against women need fertile soil in which to grow. That fertile soil is sexism. By respecting women, we can dry up that soil. We can hasten the day when this kind of violence never happens again.
Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)
Monday, August 10, 2009
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