Apparently, Rape is Fashionable

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-01-20 09:12:00 UTC
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Judging by the array of pro-rape T-shirts on the market, assaulting and violating a woman makes a fantastic fashion statement.

First, I came across this post on Australian vendors marketing pro-rape T-shirts. Melinda Tankard Reist has pics for a collection of the shirts, which includes such charming tag-lines as "it's not rape: it's surprise sex," "sometimes no means yes," and "it's not rape if you yell SURPRISE!"

My response to these statements, in order: no it's not, no it doesn't, and WTF? People have actually asked online, "I herd its [sic] not technically rape if you yell 'SURPRISE' before you do it? is that true?" I know dumb things get posted on the internet, but really? One sarcastic response: "Yes. Just like before you commmit [sic] a murder if you yell 'LOOK OUT HERE I COME,' it is not really murder." It's surprise death!

Unfortunately, I quickly discovered that these rape advocacy T-shirts aren't confined to the Land Down Under, and they've been around for a while. I'm especially fond/frightened of the description for this "sometimes no means yes" shirt from the UK's Lush T-shirts: "In a nightclub, trying to get a girl to go home with you but she says "no". Sometimes that could mean yes ... " The sound of that "dot dot dot" gives me shivers.

For more in depressing fashion, Cracked.com has a round-up of oh-so-charming rape T-shirts, including "Anti-Abortion! But Pro-Date-Rape" and "NO means YES" (who needs that silly "sometimes" qualifier anyway?). The blog toomuchtosayformyself.com highlights shirts promoting both rape and violence against women, including "dead women don't say no" (promotes rape, murder, and necrophilia -- triple win!) and "I still miss my ex but my aim is getting better."

On a positive note, Zazzle actually has a pretty great collection of anti-rape shirts, such as "NO means NO, men CAN STOP rape" and "She's only 'asking for it' if she's asking for it. Real Consent is verbal consent." Hey guys -- why not try one of those on for size? (In my own closet, I have a progressive and stylish  "Consensual Sex is Hot" T-shirt, free courtesy of my college's Consent Day.) Sadly, it's mixed in with some disturbing rape advocacy apparel, including the apparently ever-popular "surprise" shirt.

The only positive aspect I can find for these shirts is that they warn women to run in the opposite direction when they see a guy wearing one of these charmers. Unfortunately, that doesn't outweigh the damage they do in broadcasting the message that rape is fashionable, funny, and fun -- people hold on to the message without sporting the shirt. And, for the record, rape is one "surprise" that no woman wants.

Photo credit: infrared

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.
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