Violence against women is never funny

The following column is solely the writer's opinion and not that of the Downtown Women's Club.

I was going to refrain from writing about the current Massachusetts special election until after Tuesday (and even then it would be limited to discussions about the role of social media), because the Downtown Women's Club is a nonpartisan group and I am proud of all our members, advisors and supporters who are involved in politics on BOTH sides of tomorrow's election and in other political campaigns across the country. The more women get involved, the more likely issues affecting women will be decided by people who have actually had the experience of being a woman.  Besides, we'd probably get a whole lot more done on behalf of the whole country.

That being said.  After going to bed last night keeping my personal pledge to not write anything critical of Scott Brown, I woke up this morning with a guilty conscience and asked myself: if the following situation occurred at a corporate rally or retreat, would I stay quiet?  The answer is clearly, no. 

The following is a Huffington Post report of an incident occurring at a Brown rally in Worcester yesterday.

The most jarring moment, however, came during a rally Brown held with a cadre of famous Massachusetts athletes in which one attendee called for Coakley to have a "curling iron" shoved "up her butt."

The reference was to an assault case that Coakley's office oversaw, in which she was late to press charges against a man who had raped a toddler (Coakley later won grand jury indictments charging rape and assault and battery).

Democratic Party officials were quick to jump on reports of the comment as evidence of "bullying tactics" by Brown himself. Usually, tying a candidate to the angry screams of his or her crowd can be a difficult proposition. But on Sunday night, video emerged that seemed to show the state senator acknowledging the curling iron remark as it transpired. Hotline On Call was the first to post the footage but the Huffington Post obtained it separately as well.

[Click here to see the video].

I agree with the writer's statement that, in general, we cannot tie angry screams to a speaker. But, this was not the first "rape" joke I've heard/read during this campaign.  In fact, I never even knew there were such things as "rape jokes."  I'm not even sure how anyone can find them amusing because violence against women, or anyone for that matter, is never funny.  While this clearly does not reflect the opinion of all of Brown's supporters, or, I'm sure Brown himself, corporate executives are called to the carpet for encouraging locker room antics and I think politicians should be as well - regardless of party.

Please note, I did not like the negative campaigning that took place in ads and online from either candidate or their supporters during this election.  I don't believe it was helpful in encouraging women and younger generations to get more involved in politics.  The US has dropped to 31st in the world when it comes to the Global Gender Gap. The two main reasons are the lack of women in higher office in politics and in corporations. This is a trend I would like to see reversed.

Looking back over the past few months, I feel like I have been told by both sides of the political spectrum that women's issues are not important right now (i.e. "this is about health care and taxes, not about women").  As a woman and a representative of 50% of the population, I reserve my right to wholeheartedly disagree that women's issues are separate from those two hot-button issues, or that they need to take a "back seat."  This is why I'm asking everyone (men and women):

• Get informed; 
  
• Vote whenever you have a chance; and
  
• Get involved so that you can help politicians run campaigns that are inclusive and of which we all can be proud.

Comments

[Mary Rettig]

Glad, I saw your article. It is ashamed about our nation we are so behind the times compared to other Western nations I hope in my life time that changes.

[Diane K. Danielson]

Well, it doesn't sound like we're going to make a lot of progress real soon. I just finished reading Anne Kornblut's book: Notes from the Cracked Ceiling which focuses on why the US has so many problems electing women. Review coming soon Regardless of the outcome in MA, while clearly the locker-room antics of some of the Brown supporters was a negative, I think this election had less glass ceiling issues than any race so far.

[RightKlik]

Are you absolutely sure the infamous rape joke came from a Coakley supporter? Think about it.

[RightKlik]

Are you sure Brown heard what was said. I had a hard time hearing it.

[Diane K. Danielson]

Hi RightKlik -

I reported that it was said at a Brown rally and that we really can't hold him accountable for what was said. I also stated that this was not an isolated incident. Therefore, just like in the corporate world, such behavior needs to be discouraged by senior management.

Diane