SlutWalk: Act of Empowerment or Costume Party

Back in April, a group of young women began what has become a huge demonstration against the notion that girls are raped because they asked for it or because of how they dress: the SlutWalk. It has become a big movement, mostly comprised of young college women, and has spread not only throughout Toronto and the Unites States, but also in other countries, like India.

The leaders of this demonstration, Sonya Barnett and Heather Jarvis, began this march to combat the stereotypes associated with rape and sexual assaults wherein the girls are blamed either for the way they dress or behave. After a Toronto Police was quoted in responding to an assault with “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized,” Barnett and Jarvis began what has become a revolutionary response to “we had enough!”

Since the advent of this SlutWalk demonstrations, which are taking place everywhere, including NY, there has been a great divide as to its relevancy. Feminists are divided and conflicted about what it means. A march to dispute and dissolve certain stereotypes that vilify women for the assaults that take place against them — blaming the victim — is of greatest importance for every woman, feminist or not. Men attack and destroy the lives of girls and women, and they continue to be seen as innocent — the burden of proof lies in the victim’s testimony — and the defense attorney for the perpetrator attempts to prove that she asked for it, dressed for it, danced with it, knew what she was doing, had a history of it, and now feels guilty. The victim is depicted as a slut — someone to whom this kind of thing was inevitable. And while she has to prove that she is not a slut –even if she is sexually active — the criminal — the rapist sits back and enjoys the show. Nothing has changed in the laws that surround rape — it’s how it has always been. Except now.

The SlutWalk phenomenon is an important one for women — it unites men, women, girls of all ages and backgrounds in a fight that concerns them all. But the term “slut” is what causes the divide — the rift — and although I see the positive responses — the uniting factor of this — I cannot be part of it. I cannot be part of or support any kind of movement that necessitates calling women sluts — no matter how much merit such a movement has.

I am a feminist — but perhaps I am also an old feminist. I am not a slut nor do I wish to be categorized as a slut. I don’t even want to march to the tune of a slut — even if it is to make a point. I do not believe that by taking a historically charged term like “slut” — used to define the overt sexuality of women — we can redefine it. We have not seen the “N” word change in its definition, and it is the same for slut, ho, bitch, c–t, and so on.

I want to see marches and walks and pickets and demonstrations full of chanting men and women advocating for the rights of women, but not as sluts. By using this term to define the movements’ intent, it is devalued — to the men, we are all a bunch of crazed sluts. The term is fun and youthful — but women will not be taken seriously by the gender that dominates it still.

And what makes it worse are signs that read, “I’m a Slut!”

What makes it ridiculous and Halloweenish is dressing like sluts — it’s a costume party with young girls dressing provocatively to make a point, to take a stand. But it’s the dream of the rebellious young to believe that any of this will make a difference in the long run — women will still be raped — they will still be turned into criminals when they are raped –and they will continue to be labeled horrific terms designed to prove our incompetence and silliness. Dressing up like sluts and screaming “I am a slut” will not make men respect us, see us as valuable members of society, as equal members. They will see us as they have always seen us — shrilly, silly girls, willing to do anything for a little bit of attention — even dress like sluts.

We need to take a higher road — marches can still take place — but dressed as women — professional adults, not young vamps. How can I take my daughter to a SlutWalk? How can I expose her to scantily clad nymphettes — patriarchy’s oldest  denomination of women — and tell her, this is what we are fighting for — this is what’s going to make us equal — this is what’s going to shatter the glass ceiling of misogyny that you will undoubtedly face when you enter the workforce.

We have to be models of empowerment — and we have to establish models of empowerment for our young daughters.  The SlutWalk, no matter its merits and no matter how hard it attempts to justify its intent — is NOT empowering  – and it is NOT and act of empowerment.

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