RE: Culture, Has Anybody Ever Noticed

We live in a rape culture. To me, this is shown by the fact that the posters and ads with rape prevention tips are directed at women - the fact that women are given the responsibility for preventing rape. Clearly women cannot prevent rape without the help of society. Of course, our society is not completely neutral - there are, after all, ads and posters aiming to cut down on rape incidents. I imagine the posters in the bathroom were in the bathroom of a female dorm hall, but I don't know. If that's the case it might explain why there wasn't anything directed at males. But I do think there is a distinct absence of media directed at males to tell them not to rape. Of course our culture affects the rate of rape crimes. I don't know if our sexually permissive culture will increase the amount of negative sexual experiences we as Americans have. It may very well do the opposite. But because there are warnings to women, tips on how to be safe, it is implied that rape will without-a-doubt exist. When society is telling women how to avoid sexual violence, it shows that sexual violence has been accepted as something which simply exists as a natural danger. And maybe it does. But I agree that there should be more "no-rape" campaigns directed at extinguishing rape and fewer "no-rape" campaigns directed at the women, fewer campaigns aimed at shirking the responsibility and laying the burden on individual women. However there is a point to be made for the fact that "no-rape" campaigns directed at women are probably very helpful in our society - one which does have rape. So, while it might be better to have the other type of campaign, eliminating the type directed at potential victims would probably have negative consequences. This leaves everyone unsure of the best move to make and that's why we react to rape as a society in the ways we do.

Also, I'd like to mention Andrea's description of the cement wasteland. I think it's a strong image and to me it shows prolific talent. Multiple times Andrea has described the cement desert soaking up the blood of an attack or scraping her skin. It's where she interacted with Nino and so many others. I think it works well to help deliver Andrea's message. It is a very effective technique. The cement wasteland highlights the fact that no one is around. No one to help. No one to watch. It is stone and black for as far as the eye can see in every direction. At least, that is what I picture. I just thought that device deserved mentioning here.