Fuck the High Road: The Upside of Sinking to Their (Misogynist) Level

[KitSileya]

40. I really don't like that saying.

I don't think it's one that should be kept alive in our language and culture. Silence does not equal consent, and that is one that we feminists are ardently fighting against. That is what many rape cases in the media recently is all about - victims who could not consent and rapists who use the 'they didn't say no, which means yes' defense.

In addition, women should not feel obligated to fight sexists, on the internet or elsewhere, or feel ashamed if they don't. Every woman has the right to judge for herself whether she feels safe enough, or even just has 'spoons' enough to engage in the fight against sexism. We have seen the consequences of standing up for feminism - on the internet, just look at the reaction to Anita Sarkeesian and Adria Richards - death threats, rape threats, photoshopped porn and violent pictures - and that just for starters. In real life, it is also fraught with danger, as any woman who has refused to engage in bus stop conversations with men who feel entitled to women's attention - they go from 'Hi, beautiful' to 'You fat b!tch' in ten seconds flat.

I know you are perfectly aware of this, but I still think it needs saying.