Say What?: Rape Culture
Rape culture is a term used to describe a culture where sexual violence is excused, accepted, and sometimes even given approval. Violence is normalized because it is seen in media and pop culture. People become desensitized to it.
Marshall University does a great job of explaining rape culture, as well as providing examples of how rape culture works in society.
In Dream Worlds 3: Desire, Sex & Power in Music Videos, we are shown how men and women are portrayed in pop culture. Women are often portrayed as passive, while men are dominators.
The video then considers the effect of music videos on the behavior of women and men.
Video clips of the 2000 National Puerto Rican Day Parade are show, where women are sexually assaulted by groups of men. While extremely disturbing, this is a powerful example of the effects of rape culture.
Simpson College Drag Show
Photo courtesy of Alejandro Caballero of Avid Visuals.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allied (LGBTQA) of Simpson College hosted its annual campus drag show on April 3, 2012.
“There was an amazing turnout,” said Tierney Israel, senior and LGBTQA president. “The Drag Show is usually our biggest event, but I would definitely say it was the most people I’ve seen there.”
Israel credited the host of the event, Simpson alumnus Drew Riebhoff, as well as the other “professional queens” that performed at the event for making the night a success.
Performers chose songs that represented the “Music Through the Decades” theme, and the top three student groups were awarded cash prizes.
Junior Casey Coppess – aka Alyssa Savage – took home $100 for first place.
“I decided to do the drag show as a way to stand up in front of everyone and say I am proud to be a part of this community, and I am proud to be a homosexual man,” Coppess said. “I’ve always felt that society is bound by useless rules and standards.”
The night marked sophomore Erin Gerken’s first attendance to a drag show.
“I thought it was amazing,” Gerken said. “I was so impressed by all the performers. I had never been to a drag show before so I didn’t really know what to expect, and I was completely blown away by the talent.”
“The crowd was great as far as participating, cheering for their friends, and – of course – tipping our performers who came down here for free,” Israel said.
While the event ended in celebration, Coppess reminds everyone that there is a compelling idea behind drag shows.
“I think society puts unnecessary pressure on people to follow gender roles, and until we stop looking at certain things as feminine or masculine, we can’t grow into a more accepting and open-minded society,” Coppess said.
Second place went to the group LezSync, who received $75. ABBA took third place with a $50 prize.
