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Greydon Square as an Example of Exclusivity

Every so often, I see blog posts crop up asking where all the atheist women are at, or why our presence is so lacking. Aside from the factors of who the media paints as
"the face of new atheism", there are things that prominent atheists say and do, that at least to me, make it seem like the atheist activist movement may not as progressive as it's made out to be.

*TRIGGER WARNING*

*SCREENSHOTS ARE INCLUDED*

On his Facebook/Twitter, rapper Greydon Square posted that he had "raped four tacos". Out of the 31 comments that ensued, only 3 people found this problematic (myself, a woman and a man-yay). Everyone in opposition to us was male. Everyone else was basically offended that we were offended, which Greydon went on to quote from an Eminem song. He also went on to say that,

You havent been truly offended until someone starts shooting at you. Then you've been offended

He basically decided to not engage at all and try to shut down dialogue by offering his own conclusion about being offensive, and not addressing anything else.

In instances like this, is it really any wonder why more women aren't crawling out of the woodwork? I'm fine publicly identifying myself as an atheist. But why would I want to stand with anyone who makes lights of rape jokes and who people will just run to their defense when I have a problem with it? Also, why wouldn't I question whether all atheists are critical thinkers when so many publicly have such knee-jerk reactions that they'll defend examples of rape culture in action, (or whatever prejudice may pop up from an atheist) just because it's an atheist being questioned?

I just wanted to get this out there and provide an example of why women like myself may/do not feel inclusion in this community/movement.

Tags: culture, greydon

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Permalink Reply by The Nerd on September 12, 2011 at 8:03am

Also known as	Apocalypse Greydon Cubed Super Gross The Black Carl Sagan

I think I like the "super gross" nickname the best.

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Permalink Reply by Greydon Square on September 12, 2011 at 4:42pm

Thanks man, i'm also adding Duck Butter and Mr. X, and relinquish the Black Carl Sagan title to one Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson(as if i really had a choice).

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Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on September 12, 2011 at 6:10pm

Neil Degrasse Tyson is undisputed! He knew Carl Sagan and is going to remake Cosmos!

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Permalink Reply by Greydon Square on September 12, 2011 at 3:30pm

I just really didnt understand the association of "rape" to include things that weren't capable of sex. This wasn't a "rape" joke, like you are making it out to be, this is simply me describing what I was doing to hardshell tacos and filled with beef. REALLY saying I just raped four tacos is a "rape" joke???

To whoever I offended I am sorry, but I do wonder how someone could think i meant something malicious by this.

Sigh.

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Permalink Reply by The Nerd on September 12, 2011 at 5:59pm

I followed your lead and lynched a couple burritos after work. It's a great pick-me-up.

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Permalink Reply by Greydon Square on September 12, 2011 at 6:58pm

As long as you don't commit genocide on the burritos we are straight.

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Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on September 12, 2011 at 6:17pm

At the first description I thought "tacos" was slang actually for Hispanic women or something, so actually I was relieved that you were literally eating tacos.

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Permalink Reply by Greydon Square on September 12, 2011 at 3:34pm

Not only that, but you made it seem like I made the statement on behalf of all atheists. I did not. If any women had a problem with what I said, they shouldn't associate it with atheism, they should associate with a personality flaw I may have. Also you make it seem like women are the only ones who get raped. I made no association to any gender in reference to my comments. Terms like rape are used to describe things other than forced sexual intercourse. Like the raping of ones homeland or something like that. I really don't understand why you are assuming that I'm making light of rape culture, when in the context of what I said, i was doing nothing of the kind.

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Permalink Reply by Cet on September 12, 2011 at 4:55pm

I never said you made the statement on behalf of all atheists. I also never said men are the only victims of rape, either.
What I am
saying is that figureheads within the community can say bs that they should answer for that is exclusive to women [and other groups] and people will rush to their defense, without critically thinking about what they're defending.

And what I'm also saying is that when that bs happens, it shouldn't be any wonder why Group A, B, C seems to be absent from atheist discourse. I'm speaking as a woman who is tired of people minimizing rape like the phrase "raped four tacos" does, and so I addressed the statement and ensuing ones in that context. And the only reason that you Greydon are even addressing this is in my opinion is because, I took it outside of Facebook, and made it visible to more people. Otherwise you'd probably have continued on your "I find you offensive or finding me offensive" way and made your Taco Rape song.
If you don't consider what you said a joke, then we'll have a difference of opinion, but I surely consider it minimizing rape.
You don't have to be a rapist to participate in rape culture. Victim-blaming and minimizing rape are all a part of it.

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Permalink Reply by Greydon Square on September 12, 2011 at 5:14pm

Im still not sure what you are saying, you are saying that you slip and say you "killed it". As a combat vet, i could "take" offense to this statement. I would have to analyze the context in which you used it. Honestly, i didnt COME here to address this, i got a notification because my name was mentioned. Like I do ANYTIME my name is mentioned on the web. You are the one of the few, who took what I said in the context you did. Minimizing rape, like you are saying I did, is not what I was doing. I just think you have an axe to grind my friend. You even stated "I'm speaking as a woman who is tired of people minimizing rape" Once again, I WAS NOT MINIMIZING RAPING SOMEONE. What was I describing that was being raped? A piece of food. Not a place. Not a group. Not a sex. Not a religion. A food. SO with that, im minimizing rape?

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Permalink Reply by Cet on September 12, 2011 at 7:59pm

If I said someone "killed it" and you were in my presence and checked me on it, I'd honestly take into consideration that I might not be saying what I mean. Believe that or don't. Food doesn't get raped and "rape" has a finite meaning, but you're gonna use it how you're gonna use it and I still think using it in that context is minimizing it. Maybe I just can't see past my axe.

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Permalink Reply by Fan of OHair on September 12, 2011 at 8:18pm

man did you see that vid of Hatian man getting raped by Uruguaian UN soldier/police?? the vid was found when the phone which it was taped on was being looked at for music by a local who recognized it was his cousin!? democracynow.org week back or so. crazy. fubar. and Austrailia has story about navy having issues with... on bbc noticed story. frikin' guy wanted to be 'accepted' or whatever by his peers? idiot was ging thumbs up while raping women while they were sleeping?

figures of speech can affect certain folks ineed; it's the gamble of the english language perhaps
. . . imho, this is a sign of a growing community; extended families etc. sisters brothers always fight especially at peak ages. nah mean!?

thanks for the CD mailed totally hits nice in any stereo!