During my daily walks I often pass a cookware store that prominently displays "The Ex". It is a knife holder in the shape of a male figure. There are five knives thrust through this man. One is directly in the centre of his head. The others take aim at his other body parts but not the genitals, though one knife does come very close to his nether regions.
Whenever I see this figure, I wonder. What if this was a woman? Would the joke be as funny? What if the figure was a child? Or an animal? Would we still smile? I understand the concept. That there is such a level of animosity directed towards an ex-husband, ex-boyfriend, ex-whatever that "stabbing" them repeatedly is considered humorous.
But is it really? Violence aimed at either sex is not a reason for mirth. Women have fought very hard to stop violence against women. And it should not be treated as a joke. Joking about violence dismisses its impact on its victims. It takes it out of the realm of real hurt and turns it into something that is worth a passing smile.
If we can learn not to laugh at a woman being hurt, then we should also learn not to laugh at a man as well.
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Linda Seccaspina
Kerry Lauerman
walmart wag
Willow in the Winds
Jodi Kasten
Dorinda D.
Salon.com
Comments
Good point, Fred. If it were an animal/child/women you can bet your whiskers there would be a huge protest over it.