This past week at Kutztown University was move in week for students. Students were welcomed back to campus by the usual slew of move in day events, smiling faces of friends, and lots of traffic. One thing students weren’t anticipating seeing on move in day however was a degrading banner hanging on Main Street. The sign read “WelKUm ladies, we’re your daddies now”.
While many students laughed at the banner, the rhetoric used here is something that goes far beyond joking. Regardless of how harmless the intent of this banner was, this type of thing is so so so not okay. This type of language further perpetuates the cycle of rape culture, even when that is not the original intent of the “joke”. For it to be hung before the first day of the semester makes matters worse. It is setting a precedent that Kutztown believes it is funny and furthermore, they feel it is acceptable.
Rape culture is the societal environment in which sexual assault and abuse is excused through language, social media, or jokes. While our society as a whole does not outwardly support the idea of rape or sexual violence, we are continuing it through the use of misogynistic and objectifying language.
By making jokes or using language that supports the idea of women as objects creates a space for sexual violence and rape to exist. This is occurring regardless of someone’s original intent. It is important to understand the implicit actions behind rape culture in order to stop the cycle.
How can you disrupt the narrative?
When you hear misogynistic or objectifying language being used, ask the user their intent. It is also important to speak out when you see this kind of thing occurring on social media. This can come in the form of victim blaming, “slut shaming”, or defending athletes who have committed sexually violent crimes. The line I usually use is “Are you aware that the rhetoric you are using is supporting rape culture?” Most often people will tell you that’s not what they meant, which opens the door for you to have a nice educational discussion with them.