Discussion: Down with Molestia (Assigning Blame and Analyzing #354)

I’ve found some posts under #Down with Molestia that cite statistics that show that rape jokes are correlated with rape culture (blaming the victim, trivializing, etc.). I’m not doubting that. But does this really justify action against “Ask Princess Molestia”?

Think about this question: When someone gets raped, who’s to blame? The rapist, of course!

This blog and other rape jokes are not to blame for rape, and I think John Joseco is trying to draw the comparison to campaigns to limit fast food in #354. That is, just as fast food is not to blame for obesity, APM is not to blame for rape.

Of course, that does not mean nothing should be done about rape culture (or “fast-food culture,” for that matter). I would encourage people to speak out against rape culture, just as I would encourage healthy-eating campaigns. But shutting down a blog or a fast-food place isn’t the solution.