id OAA04530; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 14:06:46 -0500 (EST) Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 14:06:46 -0500 (EST) From: Andrew Wayne Austin To: PROGRESSIVE SOCIOLOGISTS NETWORK Subject: Re: Gender Violence in Jonesboro In-Reply-To: List, What has impressed me is the degree to which patriarchal relations have been obscured in the mass media. Yes, it was reported that females were the victims. But it has not been discussed very much that they were targeted, particularly in a way that would force the public to ask the larger question. And the voices who are heard are likely to be treated as on the fringe. In my conversations with students on this, I have had difficulty in explaining to them why gender is an issue. I get the same reaction from them that I suppose exists at the larger societal level: they just don't see it even if you bring it out. So I have developed a thought project that I think reveals the elusive patriarchal elements of the event. I ask students - and I ask you - to imagine the situation as it is except change one fact: the fact of gender. Substitute race for gender. Two white boys with scoped rifles, marksmen, in gun clubs, raised in the South, shot five blacks boys and a black teacher. One of the boys was overheard saying just prior to the event, "No nigger talks to me that way and gets away with it." What might be the conclusion? I have watched the posts on this matter on this and other lists. Very interesting and important contributions have been made. I was reminded of many important things that must be considered in trying to understand such dramatic events. That men are victims of violence, even if we accept the (patriarchal) definition of what constitutes violent, does not obviate sexism in society because this is also an instance of gender socialization was an outstanding point. I would just note the hidden motive in justifying violence against women with statistics concerning violence against men. This troubles me. Thanks, Andy