The Rapist Is You

Here is a link to a video showing women protesting femicide, in the form of a performance. The women speak in Spanish and cry out, "the patriarchy is a judge who tries us for being born and our punishment is the violence you see now." They collectively protest against the institutionalized misogyny ingrained within their justice system by saying, "it's the police, the judges, the state, the president. The oppressive state us a macho rapist."

While the women in the video were protesting against the Mexican government, I feel this message is applicable to other countries, the U.S. included. Especially in a time when victims of sexual assault are victim-blamed and their choice of undergarments are used against them in court, this message needs to be heard. The women bring up an excellent point, how can women fully achieve equality when their own government willingly overlooks their oppression? Not only this, but when will women finally be able to take control of their lives without the constant fear of retaliation? At this point in time, societal norms can't take full responsibility for the oppression of women--  governments who refuse to call out the injustices committed against their own women are equally to blame.

Feel free to watch the video and comment your thoughts.