I turn on the TV and switch on the news. Yes, I'm sure you got where I'm going with this.
Um, just WHAT is happening in this country?
That girl, Damini/Nirbhaya/Delhi's brave heart, call her what you like. She wasn't my sister; no she wasn't even distantly related to me. As much as I am shocked and appalled on learning about the turn of events on the night of December 16, I am also saddened with the thinking and mentality of people in this place. Just today I saw some minister say on TV (and let me clarify, I heard this with my own ears) that we must ban skirts in school uniform. So was he suggesting that rapes take place because of skirts? Or that men cannot control their desperation? Or both?
According to me, the root problem is the male domination in our Indian society. Let's accept it, no matter what caste or religion, every one has it in the back of their minds that if you are a man, you have an upper hand over a woman. Everyone thinks like that - from young boys to drivers and even policemen. They think they can get away with anything. Also, the fact that we have such a weak and corrupt judiciary, makes it very believable that you'll get away Scott free for the most heinous crime.
One more thing I reflect upon is if a similar crime was committed where a man was a victim (just so you know, women are not the only ones who get raped), would it have been a similar situation? Would it have taken 13 agonizing days of protests to get the government to listen to us? I don't know, really, because it is the Indian government we are talking about. But then again, I'm sure action would've been speedy in this case.
Call me a feminist, but I really think change can begin at home. Teach your sons to behave. Teach them that every girl is not a disposable piece of glass that can be used and thrown around. Teach them to respect, not just women, but everyone.
Let us make sure that her death does not go in vain. Let us make sure that justice is served not just to her, but also to every other victim of this inhumanity. We have taken the first step, it's just about keeping the momentum up.
Um, just WHAT is happening in this country?
That girl, Damini/Nirbhaya/Delhi's brave heart, call her what you like. She wasn't my sister; no she wasn't even distantly related to me. As much as I am shocked and appalled on learning about the turn of events on the night of December 16, I am also saddened with the thinking and mentality of people in this place. Just today I saw some minister say on TV (and let me clarify, I heard this with my own ears) that we must ban skirts in school uniform. So was he suggesting that rapes take place because of skirts? Or that men cannot control their desperation? Or both?
According to me, the root problem is the male domination in our Indian society. Let's accept it, no matter what caste or religion, every one has it in the back of their minds that if you are a man, you have an upper hand over a woman. Everyone thinks like that - from young boys to drivers and even policemen. They think they can get away with anything. Also, the fact that we have such a weak and corrupt judiciary, makes it very believable that you'll get away Scott free for the most heinous crime.
One more thing I reflect upon is if a similar crime was committed where a man was a victim (just so you know, women are not the only ones who get raped), would it have been a similar situation? Would it have taken 13 agonizing days of protests to get the government to listen to us? I don't know, really, because it is the Indian government we are talking about. But then again, I'm sure action would've been speedy in this case.
Call me a feminist, but I really think change can begin at home. Teach your sons to behave. Teach them that every girl is not a disposable piece of glass that can be used and thrown around. Teach them to respect, not just women, but everyone.
Let us make sure that her death does not go in vain. Let us make sure that justice is served not just to her, but also to every other victim of this inhumanity. We have taken the first step, it's just about keeping the momentum up.
