victimization, culture of
in commenting on the "recent spate of letters, books, and columns blaming feminism for creating a 'culture of victimization' in which women are supposedly wallowing every time they stand up for their right not to be raped, beaten, sexually harassed, or denied employment or a promotion on the basis of their gender," TV anchor Brian Ashley says, "It would seem rather obvious that when a person fights back when others attempt to make her a victim that she is not 'wallowing in victimhood'; she is, in fact, fighting against it. [The very people] who are having such fun castigating women are the ones who've consistently promoted attitudes, lifestyles, and even laws that not only victimize women but establish barriers preventing women from being able to speak against their oppressors. This 'culture of victimization' baloney is nothing more than another such barrier created by these people in their attempt to recreate a 'natural order' in society. A 'natural order' in which white men are on top and everyone else, especially women, is on the bottom." Those complaining about the "culture of victimization" say that when women resort to the law for redress in sexual harassment or other such suits it only shows they are weak and need to be protected. But letter-to-the-editor writer Jodie L. Ahern says we never think that when men go to law. Is the man who sues his neighbor for a tree overhanging his property weak and in need of protection? Why doesn't he just go tell the guy to cut down his tree?
