The Intersection » Silence Is The Enemy

“Strengthening Public Interest In Science?”

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:02:21 +0000

The following recent comments on the “Pharyngula” blog have been brought to my attention via multple emails from readers–some of them victims of rape and sexual abuse:

Fuck them [my co-blogger, our commenters, and I] all sideways with a rusty fucking knife.

Later:

The commenters are basically wetting themselves hoping Kirshenbaum comes down hard because people are saying she should be raped with a rusty knife, and Myers “likes it that way”.

I am a big proponent of free speech, however, this thread crosses the line by advocating sexual and physical violence. I have become accustomed to ignoring much of the ridicule I receive online, but keeping silent on this particular issue, is, in my mind, acceptance. Those who contacted me do not have a platform to publicly express their disgust, but I can. Rape is not a joke or game and the fact that these remarks were not removed perpetuates the notion that they’re okay.

Adam Bly and I shared a panel in 2008 at the AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy where he discussed the values of Seed Media Group. Further, as a former Seed blogger with many friends still on the network, I’m quite familiar with their stated mission:

Seed Media Group is committed to strengthening public interest in science and improving public understanding of science around the world.

I cannot see how the tone of commentary contributes to this goal. However, given the volume of emails I’ve already received, I’m certain it reflects poorly on Seed, science blogging, and science broadly.

How Many Ways To Interpret “No”? Just One

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:23:01 +0000

So a ‘survey‘ (via online polling) of over 1,000 people in London supposedly reports:

‘a majority of women believe some rape victims should take responsibility for what happened.’

But considering:

- how frequently we blame the victim rather than taking the time to address the real social and cultural norms that allow this mentality to persist…

- how many victims of sexual violence already do not report the crime out of shame, fear, or public embarrassment…

- Silence Is The Enemy…

It’s necessary to speak up. And the truth is relatively simple: Regardless of how a person dresses or behaves, there is only one way to interpret “No.” Case closed.

That said, I’m skeptical that the results of this so-called survey reflect reality.

An Armistice In The Religious Wars

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:17:52 +0000

Nicholas Kristof–co-author of the moving book Half The Sky and voice that inspired Silence Is The Enemy–has a thoughtful Op-Ed in last week’s NYTimes entitled The Religious Wars. He touches on a topic that we’ve discussed for years here at The Intersection and in the most controversial chapter of Unscientific America:

Traditionally, religious wars were fought with swords and sieges; today, they often are fought with books. And in literary circles, these battles have usually been fought at the extremes.

* * * * *

Whatever one’s take on God, there’s no doubt that religion remains one of the most powerful forces in the world. Today, millions of people will be giving thanks to Him — or Her or It.

Another new book, “The Faith Instinct,” by my Times colleague Nicholas Wade, suggests a reason for the durability of faith: humans may be programmed for religious belief, because faith conferred evolutionary advantages in primitive times. That doesn’t go to the question of whether God exists, but it suggests that religion in some form may be with us for eons to come.

Science indeed proves that earth is billions of old, that evolution explains biodiversity, and that impulses in our brain can account for behavior. Yet science also has its limitations. ‘Faith‘ is not synonymous Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or the teachings of any specific religion.

In the end, despite all of the clamor from both extremes–and perpetual insistence that there is one way to live, to think, and to be–the truth is that we can only define faith for ourselves. I share Kristof’s hope that the coming crop of books marks an armistice in the religious wars moving away from both religious intolerance and irreligious intolerance.

Silence

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:55:59 +0000

Is The Enemy:

Richmond, California (CNN) — Investigators say as many as 20 people were involved in or stood and watched the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl outside a California high school homecoming dance Saturday night.

…..

As many as 10 people were involved in the assault in a dimly lighted back alley at the school, while another 10 people watched without calling 911 to report it, police said.

…..

The victim was found unconscious under a bench shortly before midnight Saturday, after police received a call from someone in the area who had overheard people at the assault scene “reminiscing about the incident,” Richmond Police Lt. Mark Gagan said.

This initiative continues until the silence stops.

A Time To Speak Out

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:53:58 +0000

In 2009, it is legal in eight states and D.C. for health insurance companies to reject applicants who are survivors of domestic violence. Read more at Corpus Callosum, The Jackson Free Press, The Huffington Post, and The Primate Diaries.

Get outraged. Speak out. End the silence.

Silence Is The Enemy Continues

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:45:34 +0000

I started Tuesday by donating last month’s blog proceeds to Doctors Without Borders.

Silence Is The Enemy, which began in June, was only the beginning. It’s one effort in the long and continued crusade to end sexual violence around the world.

Join us on facebook, Twitter, and become a part of our growing coalition. Contribute through blog entries, letters, Op-Eds, donations, and any means you can.

Rage against the silence.

Silence Is The Enemy: Seeking Volunteers

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:46:23 +0000

In the first month Silence Is The Enemy has grown exponentially. We can already measure success in the thousands of dollars that will be donated through blogs and more support than I could have imagined. Thanks especially to Arikia Millika, who voluntarily build us a website (http://www.stopsilence.com/).

Now we need a few good men or women to help us run some of the nuts and bolts as we grow. We’re looking for assistance in managing the initiative’s Twitter account @StopSilence and Facebook group where membership approaches 5,200. If you’re interested to help, email me at srkirshenbaum@yahoo.com with a few sentences about why you would you like to be chosen.

I’ve already explained that June was only the beginning. Silence Is The Enemy lives on, drawing attention to sexual abuse globally and we encourage everyone to join us, talk about it, and act. We will continue…

until the silence stops!

End The Silence And Turn Up Your Speakers!

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:35:36 +0000

Once upon a time I was drumming in a pretty sweet band called Pistil with Megan Dawson on bass and Ann Starling and guitar. But they were practicing every week and booking shows around the Triangle, while I was sporadically in town between traveling and work commitments. We agreed that the very talented Ian Kleinfeld should take my place and now Pistil is better than ever…

Since this marks the final day that Silence Is The Enemy is raising funds for Doctors Without Borders, we’ll end the month with a bang–a song about two perspectives of rape called Mouse and Monster from the band. And remember, June was only the beginning. Momentum continues to build and our goal remains to draw attention to sexual abuse globally and encourage everyone to talk about it and act.

Megan explains why she wrote the song:

I’d been reading a lot of justifications for victim blaming, most specifically the term “Gray Rape” at the time. I was so sick of hearing that there were legitimate reasons, under certain circumstances to coerce, force, or intimidate another person into sex. There isn’t. The line is always consent, and if its unclear, there isn’t consent.

In our society, we go around pretending like women bare the burden of sexual restraint, we refuse to place the blame on men to control themselves and allow them room to wiggle their way our of accountability. Which means that blame falls on women. I’m sick of feeling like if I dress a certain way, then some men get a free pass to behave a certain way. I’m sick of feeling like if I drink too much, I am at fault for someone else’s behavior. I’m sick of being a sexual gatekeeper. I’m sick of our society not holding men accountable for their actions. I’m sick of the lack of outrage regarding the made-up concept of “Gray Rape.” I’m sick of patronizing leaders assuming that the answer to rape culture is to corral women into behaving in a certain way.

The song is written from both a victim and perpetrator’s perspective; from a man who is making all the stereotypical excuses and from a woman who is sick of taking blame. Its both social commentary and narrative of a rape culture and the ambiguity surrounding it.

Mouse and Monster by Pistil

(lyrics after the jump)

I’m fluctuating now between mouse and monster
I’m fluctuating now between mouse and monster
And I probably shouldn’t have chased her
But self control is not my virtue as you say sir

I’m fluctuating now between mouse and monster
And she probably shouldn’t have dressed so sexy
And she probably should’ve said no more vocally
And she probably shouldn’t have had so much to drink

But it’s not me, it’s not me, it’s not me, it’s not me, it’s not me, I won’t take the blame
Yeah it’s not me, it’s not me, it’s not me, it’s not me, it’s not me, I won’t take the blame
Nooo I won’t take the blame I won’t take the blame
I won’t take the blame

Her role as gatekeeper is wearing thin
All her liberation is failing
Lest be the scapegoat she best not leave the safety nest

Because her daddy gotta protect her
Politician gotta protect her
Jesse Helms gotta protect her
Sarah Palin gotta protect her

Oh daddy save her from herself
Oh preacher save her from herself
Oh pharmacy save her from herself
Oh doctor save her from herself

I’m fluctuating now between mouse and monster

* Those in the Triangle area can catch Pistil this Thursday at The Pinhook in Durham *

And make sure to click these links all day–it’s your last chance to contribute to Doctors Without Borders by visiting:

The Intersection
On Becoming A Domestic And Laboratory Goddess
Aetiology
Neurotopia
Bioephemera
The Questionable Authority
Adventures in Ethics and Science
DrugMonkey
Blog Of The Moderate Left
Seattle Grassroots Examiner
the rugbyologist
Sciencewomen

Twitter’s Not Silent

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:57:06 +0000

You’ve seen our beta website for Silence Is The Enemy, perhaps added your support to the growing Facebook group… Now you can join the movement on Twitter!

No, I’m still not ‘tweeting‘, but am appreciative that the lovely and talented Arikia has created an account which will feature details on new initiatives, questions to followers, ways to contribute, and more. And when you have important related news, tell us about it here.

As I wrote last week, June was only the beginning and momentum continues to build. Our goal remains to draw attention to sexual abuse globally and encourage everyone to talk about it and act. And we will rage against the silence.

Remember, there’s still one week to maximize blogospheric donations to Doctors Without Borders so keep clicking on these links since revenue is based on traffic:

Do You Know The Enemy?

Sheril Kirshenbaum — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:07:10 +0000

In just a few weeks Silence Is The Enemy has grown exponentially, with more support than I could have imagined. The Facebook group alone approaches 5,000 members. What comes next is up to you…

You see, June was only the beginning. The goal remains to draw attention to sexual abuse globally and encourage everyone to talk about it and act. We’re not focused on one gender or limited to a single specific region and now we must continue to bang the drum.

The lovely and talented Arikia Millikan of The Millikan Daily has voluntary started to build a website and the bare bones beta page is up and running! As you’ll see, there’s much work to be done, but the reason I want to announce the url now is because so many readers and bloggers are checking back throughout the month. So spread the word:

http://www.stopsilence.com/

Participating blogs linked on both sides of the main page demonstrate the strength of support this initiative has already received. Soon we’ll provide much more information with resources and links, and the site will serve to compile Silence Is The Enemy posts from across the blogosphere. Please join me in thanking Arikia for her wonderful work online in comments! Readers are also encouraged to leave suggestions and ideas on the design below and we’ll incorporate the best into the website.

In the mean time, several bloggers have pledged to donate their June revenue (based on traffic) to Doctors Without Borders. So remember you can support the effort with each click on:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/
http://scienceblogs.com/isisthescientist/
http://scienceblogs.com/aetiology/
http://scienceblogs.com/bioephemera/
http://scienceblogs.com/neurotopia/
http://scienceblogs.com/authority/
http://scienceblogs.com/drugmonkey/
http://scienceblogs.com/ethicsandscience/
http://www.examiner.com/x-6875-Seattle-Grassroots-Examiner
http://moderateleft.com
http://www.scientificblogging.com/rugbyologist/silence_enemy
http://scienceblogs.com/sciencewoman/

Thanks to everyone who has already joined the cause and contributed using their words, voice, mouse, and more. Since I’ve been traveling, the coalition list below is no longer up to date because new bloggers are taking up the call everyday. That said, consider this a sample:

The Intersection

On Becoming A Domestic And Laboratory Goddess

Aetiology

Neurotopia

Bioephemera

The Questionable Authority

Adventures in Ethics and Science

DrugMonkey

Blog Of The Moderate Left

Seattle Grassroots Examiner

the rugbyologist

Sciencewomen