This is not an easy blog to write. It comes from our collective shame and anger from recent rape case in India's capital city, Delhi. While this is not an isolated case and this is not the only city in the world where this happens. The question that is burning in our heart is that, "Why is this being allowed to happen all over the world, everyday, every minute?" Even while we are talking here, some one is getting raped somewhere. Why are we not teaching our boys at a grass root level that they must respect women by either a lesson in morals or by a lesson in making an example out of these criminals and showing that these monsters pay a heavy price for their crime? I am all for teaching them about this gruesome crime by even making them visit the hospital wards and observing the victims. When we can take the teens to hospitals and show them the aftermath of a drunk driving/ text driving why not for this? How about making a mandatory course that teaches kids humanity, compassion and empathy?
There is nothing new nothing, nothing revolutionary that I am going to say that has never been said before but I think it is time that all women start saying this loud and clear that, we will not tolerate this any more.
The heavy weight politicians/personalities who say that the girl's clothes or mannerism provoked this crime, can they say that countries that advocate their women to cover up, have no rape cases at all? Women are safer there?
And what about the US judge who ruled that the women did not resist enough, so the sentencing was reduced by 10 year.
Sadly, I feel no optimism today. Only anger and shame. Today I just need to close my mind and heal. Tomorrow will be different.
There is nothing new nothing, nothing revolutionary that I am going to say that has never been said before but I think it is time that all women start saying this loud and clear that, we will not tolerate this any more.
The heavy weight politicians/personalities who say that the girl's clothes or mannerism provoked this crime, can they say that countries that advocate their women to cover up, have no rape cases at all? Women are safer there?
And what about the US judge who ruled that the women did not resist enough, so the sentencing was reduced by 10 year.
Sadly, I feel no optimism today. Only anger and shame. Today I just need to close my mind and heal. Tomorrow will be different.
As parents it is as important to educated our boys to respect women as it is to teach our daughters decorum. But I think while the stress is on latter, "boys will be boys" is a common excuse parents give to not tame the wild instincts of their sons when they are young. Bullying, hitting, punching - yes, they are natural instincts. But one can be trained not to misuse it. If that control is brought into the boys early - reminding them where their rights end and respect for another human being begins - then to a large extent we can hope for some change. But this is a socio-cultural change needed across the globe amongst ALL parents.
ReplyDeleteI know, Meera, and the magnitude of such a crime committed so often and in every corners of the world, is overwhelming and so we just try to close our eyes and pretend otherwise.
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