when i am confused i often go back to basics. i am confused at the irritation i feel when i read people's posts and poems around the delhi gang rape. they like me are now searching for ways in which they can be involved in change. but even the best written ones feel shallow. examining the surface or focusing on one part of the roots of the problem. its hard to see the whole sometimes.
violence exists in a continuum. violence against women is not just sexual and to focus on just that is insufficient. women are discriminated against in every possible way and to change the rape culture without really pulling apart the other prejudicial structures is meaningless. yet its impossible sometimes to change the whole without beginning work on some of the parts.
everybody knows all this. but still the whole is more than just the sum of parts. i need to find a way to see whole pictures today - or at least more parts in one frame.
so i turn to peace and conflict theory.
conflict - a contradiction, an incompatibility of goals. conflict also a call for transformation.
the contradiction is on many levels on some levels its more like a war - a war on women. but simply described the contradiction comes from men/patriarchy wanting to retain control of the public domain and keep women locked up inside their homes.
conflict ----> polarisation, dehumanisation ----> violence
the level of violence against women we are witnessing implies dehumanisation, degradation, objectification (of women) has already occurred and is deep seated.
conflict + attitudes ----> behaviour (seen violence)
direct/physical violence is the tip of the iceberg, the visible part
violent structures and violent cultures underneath make up the rest. the violence triangle.
to change behaviour is not enough - attitudes that come from prevalent structures and culture need to change.
but changing behaviour is sometimes easier - and sometimes changing behaviour would lead to attitudinal changes but this needs testing. how?
violent structures resist change. those benefitting from those structures resist it the most.
the structures are deeply entrenched in law and order. which is corrupted and needs detoxification.
cultural violence - religion, myths and stories. the core of many things.
the picture is emerging - need to keep adding details and depth
better done perhaps on a large blank sheet
violence exists in a continuum. violence against women is not just sexual and to focus on just that is insufficient. women are discriminated against in every possible way and to change the rape culture without really pulling apart the other prejudicial structures is meaningless. yet its impossible sometimes to change the whole without beginning work on some of the parts.
everybody knows all this. but still the whole is more than just the sum of parts. i need to find a way to see whole pictures today - or at least more parts in one frame.
so i turn to peace and conflict theory.
conflict - a contradiction, an incompatibility of goals. conflict also a call for transformation.
the contradiction is on many levels on some levels its more like a war - a war on women. but simply described the contradiction comes from men/patriarchy wanting to retain control of the public domain and keep women locked up inside their homes.
conflict ----> polarisation, dehumanisation ----> violence
the level of violence against women we are witnessing implies dehumanisation, degradation, objectification (of women) has already occurred and is deep seated.
conflict + attitudes ----> behaviour (seen violence)
direct/physical violence is the tip of the iceberg, the visible part
violent structures and violent cultures underneath make up the rest. the violence triangle.
to change behaviour is not enough - attitudes that come from prevalent structures and culture need to change.
but changing behaviour is sometimes easier - and sometimes changing behaviour would lead to attitudinal changes but this needs testing. how?
violent structures resist change. those benefitting from those structures resist it the most.
the structures are deeply entrenched in law and order. which is corrupted and needs detoxification.
cultural violence - religion, myths and stories. the core of many things.
the picture is emerging - need to keep adding details and depth
better done perhaps on a large blank sheet
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