In his recent video “'Rape Culture'
is a MYTH” Steven Crowder relies on supposed empiricism in order to
articulate the view that the idea of “rape culture” is not real.
He defines “rape culture” as “the idea of a society or
patriarchal society where rape is encouraged and tolerated.”
Crowder's central argument is that because statistically rape does
not occur more often than other types of crimes and that rapists have
been criminally charged, it must mean that “rape culture” does
not exist. However, this line of reasoning is intellectually
dishonest and a strawman argument without any real substance.
Crowder's comparison argument is
completely arbitrary
First off, rape is underreported which
means it is more common than statistics will suggest. Also, just the
fact that rape is not more common than whatever crimes Crowder
arbitrarily chooses does not necessarily mean there are not
broad-based societal attitudes which condone and normalize rape of
women. Crowder does not state exactly which types of crimes he
arbitrarily chose to compare with rape occurrence statistics.
Additionally, societal attitudes regarding other types of crimes can
also cause the likelihood of those other crimes to be committed more
often, therefore making it seem like there is no societal bias
towards rape normalization compared to the normalization of other
types crimes.
Culture of speeding?
It is a giant leap of logic to simply
and uncritically compare data on the number of times a type of crime,
arbitrarily chosen, is committed and look at it side-by-side with the
number of rape occurrences and make any conclusion regarding societal
attitudes normalizing rape. For instance, one can compare the data
regarding the number of people who have received speeding tickets and
compare it to the number of times a rape has been reported. It will
likely show that there is a larger number of people who have received
speeding tickets compared to those who reported being raped. Does
that mean that we have a culture that normalizes driving over the
speed limit more than patriarchy? Obviously, it is a silly and
arbitrary comparison to make and the answer is: not necessarily.
Physical prerequisites of rape
Not only is Crowder's comparison of
rape with other arbitrarily chosen crimes on shaky logical ground,
his “analysis” of the physical nature of rape is non-existent. He
does not account for physically how much easier it is to commit
whatever crime he is using as a comparison when compared to rape.
Obviously, a person can drive faster than the speed limit at any time
as long as he or she has a car to drive. However, in order to rape
somebody one will need to actually have the presence of another human
being and one will also have to find a way to either forcefully hold
down, coerce or drug the victim. The perpetrator would also have to
likely commit the rape in a location and time where he will not be
seen by others. Given all of these prerequisites for committing rape,
the opportunities can be quite limited compared to opportunities to
commit many other crimes, such as driving faster than the speed limit
or even arson or financial fraud. Therefore, the basis of Crowder's
entire empiricist angle is nonsensical and a strawman argument
designed to provoke emotions and garner clicks on YouTube.
Rape culture is real, ask Christine
Blaisey Ford
In spite of
Crowder's nonsensical argument and intellectual dishonesty, rape
culture is real. Perhaps nothing illustrates this more than the
recent controversy surrounding the nomination of Justice Brett
Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States. This controversy
was mentioned multiple times in the Crowder video. Multiple students
on the video referenced, as evidence of rape culture, the fact that
Kavanaugh was nominated despite the serious possibility that he is
guilty of the rape of Dr. Christine Blaisey Ford.
Crowder, of course
disagrees with this assessment by arguing that Kavanaugh has not been
convicted in a criminal court proceeding and that he should be
assumed innocent until proven guilty. But the point is not whether or
not on a legal basis Kavanaugh is guilty. Determining whether rape
culture exists requires an examination of all aspects of society and
culture which includes but is not limited to the legal realm.
Clearly there are
some issues regarding Kavanaugh's potential guilt yet for political
points Republican senators decided it was not important enough to
stop this man from attaining a lifetime appointment to the highest
court of the land. If there really was no rape culture the senators
would have wanted to completely avoid even the perception that the
U.S. Supreme Court has been tainted by the nomination of a rapist.
Kavanaugh's nomination is an obvious and blatant example of the
normalization of rape, otherwise known as “rape culture.”
