Transforming a Rape Culture (Paperback)

by Emilie Buchwald (Editor), Pamela Fletcher (Editor), Martha Roth (Editor) "In addition to the numbers and facts included here, stories of sexual violence, of tragedy and survival, could have filled these pages..." (more)
Key Phrases: rape culture, rape crisis movement, profeminist men, New York, United States, Native American (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The contributors to this invaluable sourcebook share the conviction that rape is epidemic because our society encourages male aggression and tacitly or overtly supports violence against women. Cumulatively, these 34 essays by such figures as Gloria Steinem, Andrea Dworkin, Ntozake Shange, Michael Kimmel and Louise Erdrich situate rape on a continuum extending from sexist language to pornography, sexual harassment in schools and the workplace, wife battering and date and marital rape. Most of the selections were written for this volume. Highlights include a proposal to make rape a presidential election issue, an analysis of the churches' ambivalent response to societal violence, guidelines for raising boys to view themselves as nurturing, nonviolent fathers and inspirational visions of personal or institutional change. Buchwald is publisher/editor of Milkweed, Fletcher an English professor at North Hennepin Community College in Minnesota and Roth edits the feminist quarterly, Hurricane Alice.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews
Well-edited, worthy compendium of writings about sex and violence in our culture. In 34 essays--some reprinted, many published here first--well- known feminist activists, university professors, theologians, novelists, editors, and politicians diagnose and prescribe remedies for a society that daily demeans and circumscribes women with the threat of rape. Andrea Dworkin's famous ``I Want a Twenty-Four Hour Truce'' opens the collection: It's a 1983 speech to a ``men's movement'' seminar in which Dworkin passionately challenges men to begin to shun and punish each other for the act of rape. In ``Erotica vs. Pornography,'' Gloria Steinem makes an early (1977) version of the now-familiar argument for banning pornography as tool of male dominance. In ``Radical Heterosexuality,'' reprinted from Ms., Naomi Wolf analyzes ``relationships'' in light (or gloom) of rape. More positively, in ``What Women Want,'' Milkweed's editor-in-chief Buchwald proposes specific principles that women impart to their daughters as a means to avoid but not fear rape; and in ``How Rape is Encouraged in American Boys,'' sociologist Myriam Miedzian prescribes a curriculum to train boys not to attain gender identity through misogyny and rape. Other essays offer first-person accounts of sexual harassment, enforced subordination, and rape; explore the psychology of gender cruelty; report on sexual intimidation and violence within American churches and on college campuses; and devise new tactics for changing laws and language that normalize sexual aggression. The book closes with a section of ``visions'' of a better world, including Louise Erdrich's a beautiful meditation on women's spiritual liberation from ``The Veils.'' An impressive collection on a subject that should be of wider interest and concern. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Milkweed Editions; 2nd edition (February 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571312692
• ISBN-13: 978-1571312693
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #256,027 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #35 in

  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Rape

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most important books you will ever read, November 15, 2002

By	Oceana - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transforming a Rape Culture (Paperback)

This is a compilation of essays written by many prominent (female and male) feminist activists against sexual violence. I was inspired by all of the essays. A few of them were presented in a way that I did not particularly agree with, but even then I still agreed with the essence of what they were saying (and found it extremely important and eye opening). If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, rape, any kind of sexual violence (we all have experienced some aspect of the sexual violence that pervades our culture), or you care about ending sexual violence then this book will help. Transforming a Rape Culture can help teach young women that they are worth being protected from sexual violence. This book is original and truly ground breaking. These writers are saying extremely important things that have often been overlooked; they are opening our eyes to our entire society, and they have real solutions. The message of these authors speak to both men and women, but it is also intended to help men see the importance of these issues that have previously been considered only part of women's agenda. The point is clearly made by this book that the most important aspect of the women's movement has not yet been achieved, but it is possible to achieve if it is given the priority that it deserves. I believe that it is possible for the day to arrive that acts of sexual violence will be less prevalent, and people will talk openly about it without shame or fear.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recomend, January 2, 2003

By	cyndi-lou-who (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transforming a Rape Culture (Paperback)

Transforming a Rape Culture, by Milkweed Editions is a book that has input from thirty-seven active feminists; twenty-five women and twelve men, who all play different roles in life. Their occupations range from book and article writers, to psychologists, speakers, teachers, parents, and more. Having many authors, instead of just one, gives this book an advantage over one author's opinion. It was definitely written to spark an emotion in everybody to make change. The book's topic effects and influences everybody in some way in life to make a change, even if it's just within themselves. It succeeded in doing so. The book analyzes the factors in our culture, which promote and support not only rape, but also sexual assault, and harassment. It also presents ideas and methods to end it. All the sections throughout this book are linked nicely together giving it a strong analytical flow from all the authors - all seeking nothing less than a fundamental culture change with a method achieve it through the change of power, gender, race, and religion.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Book, June 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Transforming a Rape Culture (Paperback)

This anthology should be read by anyone, male or female, who is disgusted living in a world of violence. The individual essays are drawn from a wide band of opinions, experiences, and ideas making the entire book a powerful case for the end of violence (esspecially violence against women). It is esspecially eye-opening for men (like myself) who after reading this anthology will find themselves questioning thier own ideas and relationships with women.