Is this Man a Threat?

I recently attended (24 April) a forum on rape, in the Union Hall. For about an hour I was told that I was not only responsible for the actions of all male rapists because I was of the same sex, but also that I was, in effect, a potential sexual threat to my sister, mother, grandmother, my girl friend's grandmother, and even the President of VUWSA!

A fellow member of the human race, who also happened to be a member of the male branch of that race, dared to question these accusations, and their result. He felt that many sympathetic males (a contradiction, you think?) were alienated by such silly talk.

I agreed, and for the first time that afternoon I found myself clapping sincerely. When the ladies on the dais had finished with my unknown friend, another male (gasp! horror!) spoke up. However, he ended the forum on a sour note for me, when his remarks questioned my motives for clapping and cheering the previous speaker.

I should have thought that appreciation of common sense was motive enough.

Anyway, my unknown friend was right. As I walked past the group of seven female protestors at the Cenotaph at 9 o'clock, on Anzac Eve, I felt no temptation to join them. Neither, so it seems, had the small, mainly female, group that had so eagerly clapped these same seven people earlier on that day (24 April).

Here's to People's Lib. Yours,

Oscar Wilde