Louis C.K., The Daily Show, 7/16/12. (via hulksmashes)

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I think people who refuse to see the problem feel somehow threatened. As a white man I can never experience my society as does someone of another gender or colour, all I can do is be aware of the problems and act accordingly.

I distinctly remember as a teenager realising how threatening it was for a woman, walking at night, to have a man walk behind her. I think I was coming back from a gig or a nightclub, all denim and long hair, stomping along to the music echoing in my head and all oblivious to my surroundings. I realised there was a woman walking some way in front of me, speeding up and casting worried glances back, and I had a flash of realisation and empathy. I know I am not a rapist, but that is not the point. I realised that, for her and for her sex, there were so many situations where they had to live with that fear. So I let myself drop back and crossed the road.

Men shouldn’t feel threatened by this realisation. I used to get annoyed at the “all men are potential rapists” line, until I realised it is not an accusation but a statement of fact; from the point of view of someone living with that threat it is, unfortunately, a reasonable assumption. But denying the fact, pretending that there is no problem or that we are not part of it is to reinforce it.

(via pezski)

You know, I’m glad he’s willing to admit that reading what women were saying affected him. I’m tired of all the apologists. And I do admire when people publicly admit they’ve changed their mind. 

(via spastasmagoria)

(Source: charliebronsons-moved, via strangeasanjles)