This letter is a response to Harlen L. Johnston's opinion piece on rape (\The act of rape is a stain on society,"" Dec. 1). First, I wish to express my sincerest condolences to your friend. It takes an amazingly strong person to overcome such a violation, and I wish her the best.
I recognize and understand your frustration and rage, I also embody these sentiments. When my friend told me about her rape, it took everything in me to not buy a plane ticket to this guy's house and beat the shit out of him. I wanted him to pay, but I respected my friend's decision to not go to the authorities, and have been trying to be supportive in her recovery.
What I wanted to address in your article was your statement that ""men have a duty to protect women and society, feminism be damned."" There is nothing unfeminist about doing everything you can to prevent rape. You do, as a man, have a duty to society to work towards a more egalitarian, equal society in which women do not have to fear for their safety. This is the ultimate goal of feminism, in my opinion. Though, you do not have the capacity or right to protect me.
Women need to take their safety into their own hands, we cannot be equal or free if we live in fear. Your job, as a man, is to change society, not be my bodyguard. Please take into consideration your role in the prevention of rape and the struggle for equality. I admire your dedication to change and hope that you act on your convictions, but always keep in mind that your feminist efforts should be focused on changing society, not playing bodyguard.
