This is an individual response.
*When I refer to women I am referring to all self-identified women.
Dear Community:
An Open Letter to SlutWalk NYC and its Critiques, from One of Your Own.
First, let me situate myself. When I say I am one of your own, here is what…
We Are SlutWalk NYC (by SlutwalkNYC)
Join SlutwalkNYC and other members of the community on August 23rd, as we protest the victim blaming and rape culture surrounding this case and stand in solidarity with and in support of Nafi Diallo.
Slutwalk NYC Mission Statement
Slutwalk NYC Coalition allies itself with the diverse communities, activists and survivors who live with and fight the effects of rape culture.
The fight against rape culture includes the fight against
Racism
Homophobia
Transphobia
Classism
Ableism
Fatphobia
Xenophobia
Colonialism
Imperialism
Poverty
Police Brutality
Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence
Street Harassment
The fight for a culture without rape is a fight for:
Sex positivity
Body positivity
Sexual freedom
Free and creative gender expression
On demand access to abortion and reproductive health services
Respect in the workplace
Respect on the street
Safer, consensual, informed sex
Safe homes
Safe campuses
Slutwalk NYC Does Not Accept Esquire’s Apology
Dear Esquire,
On July 25th, your magazine decided to use the Newsweek account of the accuser in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case as an introduction to an article about how to get a blowjob. While your tweets have been deleted, you stated: “According to the famous maid who’s suddenly talking, Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s sexual request was anything but polite…” Your publication has also since apologized by tweeting “Sometimes our sense of humor doesn’t come out the way we intend. Sorry if an earlier tweet offended anyone.”
We, the organizers of SlutWalk NYC, a march set for October 1st, as part of a movement dedicated to eradicating gender-based oppression and violence, do not accept your apology, which merely states that you are sorry that anyone was offended and not sorry that you find sexual assault to be an appropriate and witty introduction to an fluff article about oral sex. Your actions directly contribute to a rape culture in this country and the world, which teaches sexual assault survivors that if they dare to speak out they risk, among rampant victim-blaming, being derided, being made fun of, and being used as fodder by a tasteless, unapologetic magazine such as yourself. We understood your sense of humor, loud and clear, Esquire. We heard that you think rape is not to be taken seriously and that sexual assault should be mocked. We are not sorry you offended us, and we think your magazine should write an article about one of the many organizations of men working to stop rape in order to counter the misogynistic, degrading voice you put forth today.
Sincerely,
SlutWalk NYC believes that no one has a right to put their hands on you without your consent. We are part of a grassroots worldwide movement, working to challenge mindsets and stereotypes of victim-blaming and slut-shaming.
Slutwalk NYC is having its second organizing meeting this Thursday from 7-9pm in the Puck Building, 295 Lafayette St (at Houston). 4th Floor. If you’d had enough of slut shaming, victim blaming, and rape cops escaping justice, then come help us plan a march to end sexual violence and oppression. If you can’t make it, but want to be involved email fightsexismnyc@gmail.com. Date of the march TBA (early fall).
