SLUT WALK MINNEAPOLIS (for real)

slut walk by angela faz via the daily omnivore

I was immediately intrigued when a client of mine mentioned a quickly-approaching event here in Minneapolis that is literally called the Slut Walk Minneapolis.

Now, before you get your boxers in a twist, read on to hear the interesting premise of this walk that is open to the public and occurring this Saturday, October 1^st at Hennepin Island Park.

Slut Walk is not, as many might speculate, founded on the premise of encouraging women to be promiscuous, dress “provocatively”, or anything else you may have already presumed. Instead, the walk exists to address the common and unacceptable reoccurrence of the suggestion that a woman can ‘get herself raped’ because she dresses ‘slutty’ or acts like a ‘slut’.

The walk concerns the dissection of rape culture (for men and women) in America—why is it that our society focuses so much on the actions a woman or man allegedly took to incite or entice their rape? How is this even possible?!

And how about the ubiquitous use of the word “slut”? How many times have you been called this, heard another person called this, or called someone else this word?

Warning: there is some serious cultural ideology and gender-role challenging involved in such pondering.

Kimberia of http://slutwalkminneapolis.tumblr.com explains,

“Let me spell it out real clear. This Slut Walk is about putting a spotlight on piss poor behavior. It’s calling out the bullshit. It’s saying, we’ve had enough.

Whether you choose to do it dressed in a t shirt and jeans, garter belts, stockings, and a corset, or leather pants, that’s up to you.

It’s most important that you choose to Walk with us. Raise your voice. Support the people who have been sexually assaulted/raped. Help us take the word, “slut” and break its back, its power, and its message. Help give a voice to the ones who have felt voiceless for so long.”

Very interesting concept, non?

Consider joining me this Saturday for the reclamation of the word “slut”, the dispelling of a cultural message concerning rape (“she had it coming”), and the continuation of a very interesting and necessary dialogue about violence, sexuality, and physical appearance in the United States today.

Tags: Event in Minneapolis, Hennepin Island Park, McKenzie Malanaphy, Minneapolis, Rape Culture in America, Slut Walk