I wish to inquire what a "Rape Article" is doing in the 'Newbie Guide' section? Should that article, perhaps, be in the Sociological/Pathological or Personal Agenda Section? Also, I saw a quote from Macallister that said "...rape jokes aren't welcome here..."---and my follow up question is; "But rape articles are welcomed..."...in the Newbie Guide Section?? I don't understand? Also, the Links sent me to articles promoting Feminism. Is that appropriate?? I've been out of the online loop for quite awhile but things may have sincerely changed. I hope we can discuss these points in a civil and respectful way? Thank You for allowing me to post and to be a contributing member. TB
Because people often and unthinkingly bring along the cultures they're used to from other online sites. In many cases, those sites tolerate or even welcome casual references to rape, rape jokes, and general acceptance of sexual intimidation and harassment.
Over the years, I've had to explain in great detail, again and again, why that's just not okay here. I've had to explain over and over again why rape jokes aren't okay, sexual intimidation, unwanted and unwelcome online sexual advances, and casual misogyny aren't acceptable nor welcome.
In many of those cases, people have protested that they had no way to know, and they've never even heard of "rape culture" or they flat-out disbelieve in its existence.
Now nobody can pretend they weren't warned well ahead of time.
So yes. It's entirely appropriate to my way of thinking to hit everyone registering with a big "don't-be-a-pig" stick.
What's really interesting to me that the only people who've ever protested or made negative or confused objections to that post being included in the newbie guide are guys -- as opposed to the many, many women (and occasional man) who write PMs thanking me for including it.
And if you have issues with articles promoting Feminism, you're frankly on the wrong site. You're on a site privately owned and administered by an Out Lesbian Feminist. I don't give a crap whether or not you personally think it's appropriate, as long as you realize where you are and behave accordingly. And if that's a problem for you, there are a number of excellent writing sites on the Web. It may be that AW isn't the site for you.
If you
can deal with all of that and moderate your own expectations and behavior as needed, then we'll all get along just fine.