I have been immersed in the Steubenville story since I wrote on the court verdict earlier this week. We’ve read about the death threats to the victim, we’ve watched the media coverage, and we’re deeply saddened by the reactions. It’s all unfortunate proof that when it comes to rape, this country is still ass-backwards.
So enter Henry Rollins, punk pioneer, outspoken activist, and the most commanding presence I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing on stage. This focused ball of red-hot rage has a few things to say and a knack for saying them well. His thoughts on the Steubenville verdict have been making the rounds on Facebook and Tumblr, and they’re definitely worth a read. Some choice snippets:
It’s a situation where you would like to be able to point a finger and say, that’s the reason and be done. You have to be careful when you do this because it’s easy to miss.
I think to a great degree, we humans still divide ourselves into two species, even though we are monotypic. There are males and females. We see them as different and not equal. Things get better when women get more equality. That is a bit obvious but I think it leads to better results up the road. If it’s a man’s world as they say, then men, your world is a poorly run carnage fest.
Imagine Henry in his exhaustingly enthusiastic manner with the microphone cable wrapped around his fist, reading this on stage in front of all of those people who think that what happened in Ohio is okay. If anyone can make those people shut up and listen, it is Henry Rollins.
Henry Rollins is at the top of my list. Gold Star. Seriously, this is a man who is living proof that men can be great feminists.
Images via: Vice.com, Londonist.com
