Peter Smith, writing for TIME on When Will Men Say Something?
Last week, the female president of Amherst, Carolyn A. Martin issued a statement declaring that “things must change, and change immediately,” followed by a pledge of support by the Board of Trustees. Now, make no mistake: It’s great that the influencers at Amherst acted so decisively and responsibly. The question that did not come up — the question that in fact, never comes up when “women’s issues” hit the news — is this: Why don’t men come forward and say something?
What are you talking about Peter? (sigh) I am a man who talks about sexual violence on a regular basis. I've paid a price for it in friendships and professionally. Speak for you yourself and don't assume that all of us are silent bystanders. I know many men, from a variety of perspectives, who have invested their time, emotion and resources into ending sexual violence and tending to the aftermath. It is beyond nervy and quite inaccurate to assume that only women are involved in this kind of advocacy work. Further, the overwhelming vast majority of women, like men, are also silent bystanders. Those of us – men and women – who speak out are a tiny minority regardless of gender.
By the way, your piece is written from the perspective of a man who seems to believe that only women are subjected to sexual violence. Time to expand your world view a bit. There are millions of male survivors out there and many of us are quite vocal on behalf of our hurt brothers and sisters.
The problem is not a lack of men speaking. The problem is that some people need to shut the fuck up and listen once in a while.
For those who are listening, this is where I speak out:
- https://jameslandrith.com/content/category/8/181/79/
- http://goodmenproject.com/author/james-a-landrith
Other Men Who Have A Lot To Say:
- Kenneth Followell of MaleSurvivor
- Jacob Taylor of Toy Soldiers
- Neil Irvin of Men Can Stop Rape
- Matthew Atkinson, author of Resurrection After Rape and Letters to Survivors
- Howard R. Fradkin, author of Joining Forces: Empowering Male Survivors to Thrive
- Mike Domitrz of the Date Safe Project
About James Landrith
James Landrith is a healing rape survivor, public speaker, internationally syndicated blogger, civil liberties activist and the notorious editor and publisher of The Multiracial Activist (ISSN: 1552-3446) and The Abolitionist Examiner (ISSN: 1552-2881). Landrith can be reached by email at: james@jameslandrith.com or at his personal website/blog.