Admit One

[Bridge]

Look, when you are assaulted day in and day about how imperfect your body is, then you'll understand.

It's the women that do most of the assaulting, right? Is it "our" fault that there are internal disputes? I have never and will never criticize a woman for her appearance. I may judge, but I do so silently.

When, you get blamed for being cat called and not 'taking it as a compliment', then you'll understand.

Where exactly do you live? Even in the most chauvinistic of societies females are expected to ignore that.

When you you get threatened with rape by standing up for yourself, then you'll understand.

How is this even relevant to the debate? Yes, it is entirely possible for a woman to be raped anywhere in the world - by rapists. Are you saying that all men are rapists?

When you have someone grab and try to corner and kiss you and then have everyone around you blame it on the sweater you're wearing, then you'll get it.

Yes, I suppose I will. In the meantime I reiterate my question: How is that my fault? See, where I live that would be considered a gross invasion of privacy and sexual harassment. Hell, if that were to happen to you while I was in the vicinity, I might even step in to help.

When your co-worker graphically describes sex with a virgin and tells you how housework is 'women's work', then you'll understand.

Whoever said that is free to say it, just as you are free to disregard it.

When you have to schedule your workout around when you're less likely to be attacked, then you'll understand.

I have, and I do understand. If you go to Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo you are likely to get mugged the minute you step out of the taxi, and if you are stupid enough to loiter around after midnight you will almost certainly be killed. Do people whine about how unsafe it is to wander the streets there at night? No, they simply stay indoors. Simple as. It's a rough world and you have to adapt. I am truly sorry, and I say this totally without hyperbole, that you have had such bad experiences with "men", but it isn't anybody's fault. This is how the world is. Some men are horrible, but I'd wager that the majority are not. How is it fair to lump me, or anybody else, in with the bad guys simply because we share common characteristics? It's akin to calling German citizens living under the Third Reich Nazis by association.

I'm not accusing anyone here, but what I'm saying is that, being male, these things are much less likely to happen to you.

You are accusing "us" of being emotionally unable to understand. I don't have to deal with any of the shit you do, but I recognize that it is bad and I do not support it. Why is my opinion not good enough for you?