The National Review & the Assault of Lena Dunham or How US Rape Culture Works

"This whole Lena Dunham as abuser is really fucking infuriating me by equating child body exploration with sexual abuse. I want to stomp heads. Stop with the hype!! Why are people so quick to bandwagon jump??? WTF??.... *breathes" - my immediate reaction

1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed rape; 2.8% attempted rape).17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape.

  

A conservative magazine, the National Review, accused Lena Dunham of sexually abusing her sister and internet bandwagoners jump gleefully aboard omitting any semblance of criticality. Without even looking at the motivations of a conservative publication, this "hot button issue" gets massively repeated by blindly enraging people as the successful method of diversion it was designed to be. 

Child body exploration is not abuse. 

It is very emotionally challenging for me to tackle this issue because of the extent to which sexual abuse has impacted my life including but not exclusive to the age the body exploration episode involving Lena's sister Grace as a toddler occurred. But it is important for me to address this despite it being difficult as a survivor. Before I get to why I believe the right wing is doing this, let me point to the issue of child sexual exploration.  Child body exploration is something which commonly occurs with children. This is something that most children take part in while they learn about themselves as human beings in this world. This is a part of human development process and is not sexual abuse. Children are naturally sexually curious and children exhibiting this curiosity does not mean that they are being abusive or being abused. However the  reaction that childhood body exploration and sexual curiosity is depraved comes out of the ideology of sexual repression as an inherent part of patriarchy of which the New Republic is an ardent advocate. There is a direct link between this conservative publication's ideology and the attempt to dismiss Lena Dunham by characterizing her as a sexual abuser. 

"The issue of children exploring sexuality is one that can be uncomfortable and confusing to talk about for many people. Children do have a natural curiosity about their own bodies and about others’ bodies. They do not experience sexual desire the way adults do, but many (if not most) enjoy touching their own bodies and being touched by others. Even newborn babies enjoy touching their genitals in pleasurable ways and show evidence of experiencing physiological arousal (vaginal lubrication and erection, for example). All throughout childhood, masturbation and sexual exploration with others of the same or different gender is quite common. Behaviors may include playing “doctor,” curiosity about “where babies come from,” “show me yours and I’ll show you mine” games, telling sexual jokes, and role playing relationships." - Dr. A Smith. 

In Lena's memoir, she comes out as an anti-Zionist, pro-Palestinian liberation, Jew who is heavily interested in destroying patriarchy. Yes, she was born to upper middle class parents. Yes, she has perpetuated a white washing of New York via television through her show, which is deserving of all of the critique it has garnered with regards to erasing people of color and perpetuating white supremacy. Yes she is 20 something. And yes she has admitted to all of these things and continues to work to address them, particularly the lack of diversity on her show, at least she claims as much. Most recently, Lena has tweeted multiple times about the Mike Brown murder in Ferguson, Missouri calling for an immediate arrest of Darren Wilson and asking all of her fans to send donations to the Mike Brown family and local funds. In addition, she has been a part of specific voting campaigns to galvanize young women to vote against right wing politicians' assault on women's bodies. Most specifically, she has hooked up with Planned Parenthood as part of her book tour and used every opportunity to discuss the ways in which ring wing politicians have enacted draconian attacks on women's bodies and that it is the responsibility of all people, particularly the young women who are her fans, to stand up and make their voices heard. This is why this right wing attack has come out  now, just a days before the nation will move to vote in midterm elections. The timing of this smear campaign should not go unnoticed. 

Instead of an organized response pointing this out, I have instead  seen this story being re-posted in an uproarious hysteria. The hysteria that it was carefully designed to invoke. The hysteria which has been absent from the right wing when it comes to the Oklahoma City police officer who was charged with raping and sexually abusing six women he allegedly threatened to arrest, or the accusations against State Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Roberts for kidnapping and raping three women while on duty, or Palm Beach Police Officer Stephen J. Maiorino who allegedly raped a 20 year old woman at gunpoint, or R.Kelly, or Sandusky or Bill Cosby or Former Police Commander John Burge who tortured over a 100 Black men in Chicago including electrocuting their genitals, or Former Police Chief Gregory who is charged with stalking two underage molestation victims and following their school buses and parking outside of their schools to watch them, or Former Police Commander Glen Ellen from Chicago who is accused of tasering a man's testicles , or Woody Allen or the abusive priests within the Catholic Church... or the countless other cases which highlight the epidemic of sexual violence in the United States and also highlight the ways in which it is structurally reinforced. 

The hysteria over this right wing article's accusations are an affront to actual victims of sexual assault who like me, have to stomach the outrage of twisting what is life altering trauma deserving of mass attention and outrage, into a successful manipulation of people's natural inclination to be against harm, in order to accomplish a right wing political gain. And all of this is juxtaposed with knowing what actual abuse is- is triggering and simultaneously infuriating to say the least. 

What I have not seen mentioned at all, is the article's complete dismissal of Lena's own rape which she details in her memoir. Lena very touchingly explores through multiple pieces within the book, her own repression of the rape and her gradual ability to accept what occurred to her as actual rape. This is a very moving and challenging process which she takes the reader through, and is one of the most powerful aspects of the book, particularly because of  how revealing it is in detailing acquaintance rape. Instead of dealing with this, which is one of the most common kinds of rape that women experience, the National Review writer, Kevin D. Williamson, calls Lena "dishonest" and accuses her of failing to accept "intellectual or moral responsibility". This is victim blaming 101, yet there has been absolutely no outcry that I have seen at these sexist, misogynist statements. Kevin D. Williamson then goes on to contact the rapist and proceeds to paint him as a victim by calling Lena "passive aggressive".  THIS is abuser behavior. THIS is where the outcry should be. THIS is how rape culture is perpetuated and THIS is how US culture continues to be hostile to survivors telling their/our own stories. Any outcry related to the National Review's article, should be placed on the author, Kevin D. Williamson, and the victim blaming and rape apologizing he represents. 

There are ways we can end sexual assault and treat survivors. There are systemic ways in which we can target our outrage to reduce and ultimately eliminate places in which sexual assault is rampant. There are mechanisms we can create to enable treatment so as to eradicate this epidemic. But we must first be willing to be honest about what sexual assault is and to honor survivors' voices by not getting sucked into slickly packaged propaganda seeking to ultimately, enable more abuse by enacting right wing legislation which attacks women's reproductive rights, women's healthcare and critically important, de-funds the already massively financially strapped rape crisis centers across the country. 

If you are genuinely interested in working to assist survivors and end sexual assault, I urge you to donate to RAINN, the YWCA,  and any other organization working with and for survivors. 

Upsetting Rape Culture - List of Resources

National Sexual Assault Hotline

RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE in partnership with 1,100 rape crisis centers across the nation, providing free, confidential advice 24/7.

 

Students participating in a nationwide demonstration today, known as the #carrytheweight Day of Action by carrying mattresses to support sexual assault survivors. 

Ten Things I've Learned From My Mother: 

1. Fight for your freedom with everything in your power. 

2. Seeking therapy is an act of strength. 

3. Walking away doesn't necessarily mean giving up. Walking away can mean walking into a place of safety, walking into a place where you can be cared for and can administer self-care.Walking away can be an act of self-care.

4. Women are strong and fierce warriors when we decide to be, and sometimes even when we don't decide to be.

5. A life partner is not necessary in order to obtain joy in life. A heterosexual woman is not defined by a man or a partner.

6. Learning is life long. 

7. Reading is a gateway to opening up our minds and imaginations. It allows us to experience worlds beyond our physical reach. 

8. Be smart in how and who you love. 

9. We are often stronger than we realize and than we give ourselves credit for. 

10. True beauty. 

From Chicago to Ferguson - 104 People Killed by Police in August

September 23, 2014

This morning, the memorial dedicated to Mike Brown on Canfield Drive, the street where he was murdered by Officer Darren Wilson, was set on fire. This follows over 45 days of continued harassment and intimidation experienced by the people in Ferguson by local authorities. In contrast, the immediate community response reflects the resilience and strength of the people of Ferguson, as people immediately went to work to remove the ash and debris in order to rebuild the memorial. One example of this incredible community support is of a young community member who works at a local grocery store and used his store discount to purchase food for community members who are rebuilding and standing vigil at the recreated memorial on what they are now calling Mike Brown Lane. This vigilant selfless and dedicated resilience is indicative of the fighting spirit I encountered while there.

I arrived in Ferguson, on Labor Day weekend as part of the Chicago contingent of the Black Lives Matter Ride, fashioned in the spirit of the 1960’s Freedom Rides to end segregation. Our mission was to work in solidarity with Ferguson residents, participate in a Saturday march, and provide opportunity for those of us across the country to meet and address what feels like an increase in state sanctioned violence against Black bodies.

Since Mike Brown’s murder, there have been at least three more killings by police in Chicago, that of Roshad McIntosh, Darius Cole-Garrit and Desean Pittman. On September 3^rd, the family of Marlon Horton filed a civil rights lawsuit over his murder, almost a year after his death, after CCTV footage was finally released showing Chicago Housing Authority officers shooting and killing the man.  Since Mike Brown’s death, hundreds of neighbors and community members joined the mother of Roshad McIntosh in protesting her son’s murder and demanding the name of the police officers involved with his killing, as well as demanding a copy of the police report and autopsy. His mother, Cynthia Lane, along with her supporters, has marched to the police precinct everyday requesting the information regarding the death of her son. Friday, September 5^th a neighborhood fundraiser was held, despite the rain, to raise money to pay for the Roshad’s funeral. Saturday, September 6^th the funeral was held even though the remaining $4,500 due to the funeral home remained outstanding. Thankfully, the home’s proprietors allowed for late payment. Monday, September 8^th was Roshad’s birthday where he would have turned 20 years old.

It has now been over 45 days since the killing of Mike Brown.

Based on data compiled from more than 161 news sources[1], there were 104 people in the United States killed by law enforcement within the month of August. Of this count, 29 were Black, 37 were white, 25 were Latino, 2 were APIA, 9 were of unknown ethnic origin and 6 were white police/correction/or parole officers who committed suicide as part of suicide/homicides. Of these August totals, 6 other non-white individuals were known to be suicidal and 11 suffered from mental illnesses including PTSD. One such young man was killed a mere three hours after being released from a psychiatric hospital[2]. Of these 104 deaths, the majority seemingly came from working class backgrounds What becomes clear is that for the month of August, police killings were not exclusive to Black and Brown bodies but occurred at an increased rate in comparison to that of white bodies. Blacks and Latinos collectively resulted in 51% of police murders in August yet comprise only 30% of the US population[3]. While whites comprised 36% of total police killings in August, whites comprise a total of 63% of the total population. The numbers of Blacks and Latinos killed by police in the month of August reflect highly disproportionate rate of killings on bodies of color. Yet, it also reveals the high rate of deadly force representative of police departments nationwide which stand in stark contrast to global rates of police killings among other industrialized/first world/global north nations. Iceland for example, experienced its first police killing ever, in December.

While I walked the streets of Ferguson, many commented on the smallness of the sidewalks. In Chicago, our sidewalks are wide enough to fit two to ten people (depending on where in the City one is). But the residential sidewalks in Ferguson were more akin to what are considered lawn pathways in Chicago, sufficient space for one person to walk comfortably. Coupled with this, Canfield Drive, the street in which Mike Brown was killed, is extremely wide, something I from Chicago, am jealous of given the narrowness of my neighborhood’s residential streets caused by street parking (which is unnecessary in Ferguson as most people have garages and/or parking lot), often requiring one car to pull over to one side in order to let another vehicle through. In echoing sentiments many have already shared, it is no wonder Mike Brown and his friend, Dorian Johnson, were walking in the street when Officer Darren Wilson approached them. There simply isn’t room on the sidewalk for more than one person. This spacial reality makes it clearly suggestive that when Officer Darren Wilson told Mike Brown to “get out of the street,” he was doing so not out of concern for street obstruction, but rather as an excuse to harass two young Black teenagers. It was about Darren Wilson weaponizing his power through his police badge. It was about the psychosis of power that is produced within an ideology of Blackness as inherently criminal. It is the brutality that is routinized within occupying forces as they make distinctions between themselves and those they are occupying. It is an example of how the banality of evil is entrenched in the police system. It is Nazi Germany, it is Jim Crow South, it is occupied Gaza, it is apartheid South Africa. It is the behavioral systematizing of oppression through police forces.

Throughout our time there, discussions returned to repeated themes of widening the definition of state violence and the necessity to catalogue atrocities to Black bodies. We need to count how many indeed are dying with the consent of the state both in terms of killings by police as well as vigilante murders like that of Trayvon Martin and Renisha McBride. We need to know how many have occurred. We need to make visible the lives of all those taken away. We need to know who has died, why and how, and who they were. We need to see, feel, remember and honor their humanity.  We need to count. We need to make tangible the humanity of our erased. We will not allow them to remain invisible. We will not silence the pain of the bereaved. We will listen and we will shout and we will show. We will make it impossible to look away and deny their/our humanity.

Ferguson, like a heart beating, pounding through my body, pointing me to look into the mirror of privilege in which I live, where straightening my hair with a flat iron allows me to “pass”, to lessen my Blackness and make my environment feel less hostile, less threatening, lessening the likelihood of white violence on my non-white body. Black Lives Matter Ride to Ferguson, where I was able to rejoice in loving all of our colors and sizes and manifestations. Where resistance is embedded within a community loving itself and knowing that loving themselves is a risk in which they are willing to die. Ferguson, the skeleton of resistance in which we, outsiders, honor and seek to learn and replicate their heroism. Ferguson, a place in which the blood of Mike Brown’s body remains stained into the stones and grit of Canfield Drive where his lifeless body laid for four and a half hours. Where the Nation’s Fruit of Islam guard the memorial and family from further police terrorism after police dogs urinated on vigil candles and mementos. Ferguson, where we see the United States’ economy of racial oppression lay bare.

I have been wrestling with a question which has only become heightened since Mike Brown’s death, what does Black freedom look like on this tainted and bloody soil? Can this country exist without the billions of dollars that Black oppression produces for capitalists, from the booming private prison industry to the high costs associated with living poor? I am also asking, what does a de-militarized and de-weaponized US police force look like? What does civilian freedom from deadly routinized police violence look like? Iceland?

I come away from our Black Lives Matter Freedom Ride to Ferguson empowered, motivated and ready to work. But I also come away with more questions, with more confusion, with more pain. There is a strange jarring disconnect created from the contrast of being where police behaved as an occupying military force, terrorizing the community with tear gas, flash grenades, LRAD, and rubber bullets and coming home to Chicago were the mother of Desean Pittman was arrested for “mob action” after the Chicago Police trampled her son’s memorial on August 25^th, tore down his posters, kicked the vigil candles and said that her son deserved to die. She was arrested and held on $7,500 bond which she needed paid in order to attend her son’s funeral. She was finally released Friday morning, September 5^th after the community came together to raise the bail amount. Yet the morning of my return to Chicago, there was no mention of this in the local news. Again Black lives, Black pain, poor people’s pain was rendered invisible.

I will strive to help raise the remaining amount owed to the funeral parlor; I plan to march with the mother of Roshad McIntosh who is asking for the name of the officer who murdered her son on August 24^th, who is simply asking for a copy of the autopsy report and incident report. I will attend actions on October 22^nd against police brutality and I will work to dismantle this unjust system. But I am mourning too. I am healing too. I am not forgetting that part of being human is to feel pain inflicted and that in ending these systems of oppression, we must make them clearly visible so that it is impossible for them to hide. We must tell our truths as best we can. We must never silence our humanity. We must resist any urge to quiet the truth of our realities in fear that those with systemic privileges are not made uncomfortable, for when they are uncomfortable they are often violent. It is this assuasion which helps them ignore the reality of both their privilege as well as the violent and painful consequences their privilege necessitates. It is this assuasion which hides the experience of the working class and poor amidst deadly weaponized police forces who shoot to kill, not to maim. It is this assuasion which has hidden the fact that suicidal persons often seek out police in order to assist with their suicides, because they are well aware of a social contract which assures the public that the police will shoot and kill in lieu of the state providing for emergency mental health professional responses. In resisting, in reasserting our right to life, in rejecting deadly militarized police forces as acceptable to life within this country, we will reveal our pain, and bleed. We will not be denied our humanity. We will be heard. We will be seen. We will resist, we will fight and we will be free.

In remembrance[4]:

8/3/2014 Abrego, Omar California (Los Angeles)

8/22/2014 Alvarado, Alex (38) California (San Bernardino)

8/3/2014 Armstrong, Justin (28) Arizona (Pinetop)

 
8/10/2014 Bandy, Tyrone “Ty” (45) Washington (Burien)

8/11/2014 Brennan, Daniel (51) New York (Palenville)

8/23/2014 Brown, Lamar Anthony (39) Florida (West Palm Beach)

8/9/2014 Brown, Michael (18) Missouri (Ferguson)

8/18/2014 Bukowiecki, Richard (47) California (Norwalk)

8/31/2014 Burch, Justin (21) Mississippi (Hattiesburg)

8/3/2014 Calhoun, JaCorey (23) California (Oakland)

8/1/2014 Calloway, Anthony (27) Georgia (Atlanta)

8/19/2014 Cole-Garrit, Darius (21) Illinois (Chicago)

8/9/2014 Cornelio Morales, Alberto (41) California (Walnut Park)

8/5/2014 Crawford, John (22) Ohio (Beavercreek)

 
8/25/2014 Crawford, Joshua Matthew (29) Colorado (Grand Junction)

8/13/2014 Cusseaux, Michelle (50) Arizona (Phoenix)

8/11/2014 Davis, Eddie Texas (DeKalb)

8/26/2014 Dion, Bryce (38) Nebraska (Omaha)

8/3/2014 Doll, Steve Matthew (40) California (Stockton)

8/25/2014 Douglas, Steven (29) Texas (Dallas)

8/6/2014 Dozer, Michael (26) California (Bakersfield)

8/19/2014 Ellis, David (29) Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)

8/25/2014 Esquivel, Guadalupe (51) Texas (Lubbock)

8/6/2014 Farias, Rudolph (51) Texas (Houston)

8/4/2014 Flores, Manuel (28) New Mexico (Albuquerque)

8/11/2014 Ford, Ezell (24) California (Los Angeles)

8/22/2014 Fowler, James Matthew (41) Georgia (Adairsville)

8/20/2014 Friedman, Darren (45) Maryland (Ellicott City)

8/29/2014 Garcia, Enebelio (45) Texas (Guadalupe County)

8/31/2014 Garza, José Walter (30) Texas (Laredo)

8/10/2014 Gaynier, Andrew Scott (26) Texas (Dallas)

8/19/2014 Godinez, Maria Fernada (22) Florida (Orlando)

8/11/2014 Gonzalez, Jose Manuel (18) Texas (Dallas)

8/24/2014 Griffis, Timothy (35) Florida (Lake City)

8/19/2014 Guy, Miranda (28) Tennessee (Harriman)

8/11/2014 Harris, Torrez (52) Mississippi (Canton)

8/28/2014 Havenor, Chaz Michael (21) Minnesota (Ramsey)

8/24/2014 Herrera-Garcia, Mauricio (39) Arizona (Phoenix)

8/8/2014 Higgins, Justin Wayne (23) Arkansas, (Fort Smith)

8/5/2014 Hudson, Tommy (53) Virginia (Hudgins)

8/14/2014 Jennings, Alvin Curtis (61) Iowa (Davenport)

8/24/2014 Jennings, Joseph (18) Kansas (Ottawa)

8/18/2014 Jones, Andre Maurice (37) California (Los Angeles)

8/13/2014 Jones, Reagan Alabama (Muscle Shoals)

8/6/2014 Lake, Jeremy (19) Oklahoma (Tulsa)

8/3/2014 Lanza, Mark (23) Arizona (Phoenix)

8/29/2014 Lebak, Erik Charles (32) California (Redding)

8/27/2014 LeBlanc, Freddie (48) Louisiana (Albany)

8/19/2014 Leichardt, Chad (40) Kansas (Haysville)

8/29/2014 Lewis, Jeremy (33) Florida (Orlando)

8/12/2014 Lopez-Gonzalez, Gabriel (22) California (San Fernando)

8/17/2014 Love, Levon Leroy (44) Texas (San Antonio)

8/25/2014 Matheny, Randy (31) West Virginia (Dingess)

8/24/2014 McIntosh, Roshad (19) Illinois (Chicago)

8/24/2014 McMilon, Stephen Andrew (52) Oregon (Medford)

8/2/2014 Mendoza, Frank Al (54) California (Los Angeles)

8/16/2014 Miller, Fred (38) Maryland (Fort Washington)

8/11/2014 Mroczek, Pammi (49) New York (Palenville)

8/11/2014 Mroczek, Robert (46) New York (Palenville)

8/23/2014 Ossorio, Hernan Milton (61) Maryland (Ellicott City)

8/14/2014 Parker, Dante (36) California (Victorville)

Joshua Paul, front, pictured here with his fiance, Jeff Bolek

8/18/2014 Paul, Joshua (31) Illinois (Carpentersville)

8/9/2014 Paulino, Jose, Jr. (38) Pennsylvania (Tamaqua)

8/9/2014 Penderghest, Joseph (40) Pennsylvania (Springfield Township)

8/6/2014 Pickard Jr., James (51) Hawaii (Pearl City)

8/1/2014 Pierre, Daniel (42) New Jersey (Winslow Township)

8/12/2014 Pifer, Ronald (54) Michigan (Fairfield Township)

8/17/2014 Piirainen, Steven (52) Maine (Mexico)

8/24/2014 Pittman, Desean (17) Illinois (Chicago)

8/19/2014 Powell, Kajieme (25) Missouri (St. Louis)

8/2/2014 Ramirez, Cedric Oscar (24) California (Los Angeles)

8/27/2014 Ramos, Sergio (18) Texas (Dallas)

8/7/2014 Reyes-Torres, Jose (20) California (Folsom)

8/4/2014 Rodriguez, Maria (42) California (Bakersfield)

8/27/2014 Rogers, John (61) New Mexico (Bloomfield)

8/5/2014 Rowe, Donyale (37) Ohio (Cincinnati)

8/25/2014 Salazar, Mark (22) Oklahoma (Oklahoma City)

8/28/2014 Sellars, Terry (31) Florida (Manatee)

8/28/2014 Sharpe, Mark Jeffery (54) California (Sutter County)

Diana Showman with her mother.

8/14/2014 Showman, Diana (19) California (San Jose)

8/3/2014 Swearingen, Ryan (27) Iowa (Fort Madison)

8/11/2014 Taylor, Dillon Utah (South Salt Lake)

8/18/2014 Towe, Jeffrey (53) California (Woodland)

8/31/2014 Turner, Eugene (28) Kansas (Kansas City)

8/8/2014 Uncles, Austin David (26) Colorado (Denver)

8/31/2014 Bingamen, Royal Shawn ,  (42) Nevada (Reno)

8/29/2014 O’Connell, John (44) Arizona (Littlefield)

8/28/2014 unidentified (??) Minnesota (St. Paul)

8/8/2014 unidentified (??) Michigan (Detroit)

8/3/2014 unidentified (??) Texas (Houston)

8/13/2014 unidentified male (??) Texas (Houston)

8/3/2014Vang, Yee (20)Minnesota (St. Paul)

8/28/2014 Villarreal, Raymond (43) Texas (Corpus Christi)

8/7/2014 Wagner, Regan (23) Texas (Longview)

8/14/2014 Wagner, Sonny (52) Kansas (Newton)

8/18/2014 Walker, Luther Lathron (38) California (Los Angeles)

8/26/2014 Washington, Cortez (32) Nebraska (Omaha)

8/16/2014 Wegener, Travis (28) Tennessee (Knoxville)

8/26/2014 Wesson, Kerry (45) California (Lynwood)

8/20/2014 Williams, Arvel Douglas (30) Maryland (Perry Hall)

8/29/2014 Withers, Jayson Matthew (26) Oregon (Pendleton)

8/22/2014 Woodard, Vernicia (26) Georgia (Atlanta)

8/13/2014 Zavala, Jacinto (21) Colorado (Greeley)

---

[1] (Wikipedia)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_killings_by_law_enforcement_officers_in_the_United_States,_August_2014#cite_note-1

[2] Aunt of teen shot by Ottawa, Kan., police says he didn't have to die (kansascity)

http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article1287028.html

[3] United States Census Bureau (USA QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau)

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html

[4] Killed by Police – August 2014 (Mental Health Association of Portland RSS)

http://www.mentalhealthportland.org/killed-by-police-august-2014/