I am aware that this blog post will be hurtful and perhaps a little over my head, but the topic came up tonight when speaking with a friend and I have been ruminating on it...so I thought I would write my thoughts. I want to preface this with: I have never been raped, but know someone very very dear to me that has and so I am not the be all end all of this subject, but I realize how real and scary it is. I also have no data whatsoever...
That being said, I want to address this new "nail polish" that was created by 4 college students from North Caroline State University. Just recently these 4 gentlepeople invented a nail polish that detects several known date rape drugs including Rohypnol, xanax, and GHB. Essentially, this polish when worn by a person can detect the presence of these drugs by dipping the finger in the drink. It turns the polish black indicating the presence of said drug.
When I first heard about this drug, I was elated. I thought, "Wow...here are 4 guys that have created a means for girls to be more aware of their surroundings." What my friend added was that this polish was just another tool that could be added to the "arsenal" of date rape deterrents. But, as the story continued to unfold, I was introduced to more sides of this story. Most of the press that is being put out is articles against this polish. I have read a few articles that pretty much demean this new invention. Why? Because it goes against the very nature of what we should be trying to prevent. It still makes the woman in charge of the situation. When they say it should be stopped altogether.
And...your point? This is what was brought up tonight. My friend said something along the lines of: "If you or I were in a position to be raped we would fight to the enth degree for ourselves." And she is true. We would. However, we both realize that these particular drugs inhibit the victim to fight for themselves. What we couldn't figure out is why anyone would be opposed to this new invention. I mean come on! Isn't the feminist point of view to put all power in the hands of yourself? Doesn't the feministic point of view demand that women be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve? Yes, they should, but everyday people should not diminish the fact that there are psychotic crazies out in this world that steal that respect and dignity.
The other argument is that women already have to watch themselves. We have to make sure we go together in pairs, not stay out too late at night, be only around people we trust...why do we now have to test our drinks when we are at the bar? Well...why the hell not? Do we not deserve to have all means necessary to combat this most heinous crime? Do we not deserve the opportunity to add another weapon to our arsenal? It isn't that I don't think there should be education of what is the date rape drug and teaching men and women that they are at a danger of this happening to them...education is all fine and dandy. But...there are STILL people out there who are going to use these drugs to rape men and women.
It just frustrates me that someone would think this is a bad idea because it deters the entire culture. No! What this does is add a little more empowerment to the men and women who are being raped. It perhaps gives them the opportunity (after perhaps ending up in a situation they didn't want to be in) to stop this crime. I am not saying this is the be-all-end-all of date rapes, but if it can stop just one person from being raped by these drugs...it has worked.
I applaud these gentlepersons. All 4 of them have had someone close to them experience this crime, and it was their contribution to the greater society as a whole. I think that those people out there that want to focus on the negative concerning this being a "fad that deters from the greater issue" seriously rethink their stance. With inventions like this we are truly getting closer to perhaps stopping such a serious crime from happening.
Good job, gentlepeople! You. Are. Awesome!
That being said, I want to address this new "nail polish" that was created by 4 college students from North Caroline State University. Just recently these 4 gentlepeople invented a nail polish that detects several known date rape drugs including Rohypnol, xanax, and GHB. Essentially, this polish when worn by a person can detect the presence of these drugs by dipping the finger in the drink. It turns the polish black indicating the presence of said drug.
When I first heard about this drug, I was elated. I thought, "Wow...here are 4 guys that have created a means for girls to be more aware of their surroundings." What my friend added was that this polish was just another tool that could be added to the "arsenal" of date rape deterrents. But, as the story continued to unfold, I was introduced to more sides of this story. Most of the press that is being put out is articles against this polish. I have read a few articles that pretty much demean this new invention. Why? Because it goes against the very nature of what we should be trying to prevent. It still makes the woman in charge of the situation. When they say it should be stopped altogether.
And...your point? This is what was brought up tonight. My friend said something along the lines of: "If you or I were in a position to be raped we would fight to the enth degree for ourselves." And she is true. We would. However, we both realize that these particular drugs inhibit the victim to fight for themselves. What we couldn't figure out is why anyone would be opposed to this new invention. I mean come on! Isn't the feminist point of view to put all power in the hands of yourself? Doesn't the feministic point of view demand that women be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve? Yes, they should, but everyday people should not diminish the fact that there are psychotic crazies out in this world that steal that respect and dignity.
The other argument is that women already have to watch themselves. We have to make sure we go together in pairs, not stay out too late at night, be only around people we trust...why do we now have to test our drinks when we are at the bar? Well...why the hell not? Do we not deserve to have all means necessary to combat this most heinous crime? Do we not deserve the opportunity to add another weapon to our arsenal? It isn't that I don't think there should be education of what is the date rape drug and teaching men and women that they are at a danger of this happening to them...education is all fine and dandy. But...there are STILL people out there who are going to use these drugs to rape men and women.
It just frustrates me that someone would think this is a bad idea because it deters the entire culture. No! What this does is add a little more empowerment to the men and women who are being raped. It perhaps gives them the opportunity (after perhaps ending up in a situation they didn't want to be in) to stop this crime. I am not saying this is the be-all-end-all of date rapes, but if it can stop just one person from being raped by these drugs...it has worked.
I applaud these gentlepersons. All 4 of them have had someone close to them experience this crime, and it was their contribution to the greater society as a whole. I think that those people out there that want to focus on the negative concerning this being a "fad that deters from the greater issue" seriously rethink their stance. With inventions like this we are truly getting closer to perhaps stopping such a serious crime from happening.
Good job, gentlepeople! You. Are. Awesome!
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