Annika VanSandtRed Group
Women should be afforded the legal protection of a minority
group because, as a group, they are constantly denied the same
rights as men and are sometimes though of as property. Susan
Brownmiller, the author of Against Our Will, explained some of the
situations in which women were treated differently from men in the
1970s. She specifically focused on the topic of rape and how men
used their higher status to force themselves upon women. Women were
reluctant to seek legal justice because of the complex double
standard that makes the female feel responsible for and act of
social aggression committed against her (Brownmiller [Page #381]).
Women are not protected from men who view women as their property.
They see women as merely sexual objects. This mindset allows the
Court to see rape as a womens problem rather than a societal
problem resulting from a distorted masculine philosophy of
aggression (Brownmiller [Page #400]). Not only was rape easily
dismissed, but also the pornography industry was starting to rise.
Porn was another topic that gave men the idea that it was
acceptable to assert dominance over women. Since 90 percent of
pornographic material is geared toward the male heterosexual,
(Brownmiller [Page #393]) it is very obvious that the target
audience shows resemblance to the common rapists that are described
by Brownmiller. Women are being objectified and their naked bodies
are seen as tools to pleasure men with. Women feel dehumanized by
this propaganda that promotes acts of sexual hostility against
women (Brownmiller [Page 395]). Brownmillers strong, radical
viewpoints on gender equality leads one to believe she would
support the Equal Rights Amendment. The Equal Rights Amendment
(ERA) states that the equality of rights under the law shall not be
denied or abridged by the US or by any state on an account of sex
(The ERA: A Brief). Brownmiller supported the integration of women
in police department, seeing it as a revolutionary goal of the
utmost importance to womens rights (Brownmiller [Page #388]). She
believed that women should be able to fight as well. Since girls
are taught to be prim and proper when they are growing up, men
would automatically assume they are weak. Ignorant men thought a
womens ultimate security lies in being accompanied by men at all
times (Brownmiller [Page #399]). Women like Brownmiller pointed out
that often times they were told by the same ignorant men that they
should hide from men to avoid being raped. She also explained how
she had learned to use her body as a weapon when she was in danger.
Opposing Brownmillers views was Phyllis Schlafly. The ERA was just
five states away from ratifying the amendment until Schafly stepped
forward and led the Stop ERA campaign. She thought that instead of
giving women more rights, the ERA would take away rights. Women
would be drafted into military combat any time men were
conscripted, abolish the presumption that the husband should
support his wife and take away Social Security benefits of wives
and widows (Schlafly). Schlafly was a hypocrite by leading a solo
career of her own when she campaigned across the country to stop
the ERA. Essentially Schlafly was a feminist. When questioned about
this she replied the feminist movement is not about success for
women but rather treating women as victims (Schlafly). Due to
Schlaflys heavy influence, the ERA was not ratified because the
remaining states chose not to vote in favor before the time limit
ended.Compared to the 1970s, men have become more sensitive to the
rights of women. Before female athletes struggled to be recognized
as a star amongst male athletes, now they broadcast leagues
dedicated to women on national television. The definition of rape
used to be the forcible perpetration of an act of sexual
intercourse on the body of a woman not ones wife, (Brownmiller
[Page #380]) now rape is not tolerated under any circumstances.
That being said, rape is still one of the most unreported crimes.
Women today still feel scared to speak out against rapists in fear
of being victim-blamed. Men are able to walk free when they have
committed a rape crime. With the Internets easy accessibility, many
view porn daily. On social media there are double standards
presented constantly. The media shames females for wearing short
shorts or tight tops while fan girls go crazy if their favorite
male celebritys nudes leak. Women still need the legal protection
of a minority group and, even more, they need acceptance from
society. Work Cited:Brownmiller, Susan. "Chapter 12: Women Fight
Back."Against Our Will. N.p.:n.p., 1975. 375-404. Print.
"The ERA: A Brief Introduction."Equal Rights Amendment. Alice
Paul Institute,n.d. Web. 3 May 2015. .
Schlafly, Phyllis. "'Equal Rights' for Women: Wrong Then, Wrong
Now."LA Times.LA Times, 8 Apr. 2007. Web. 3 May 2015. .
- - -. Interview by Andrea Sachs. 7 Apr. 2009.
