Rape is not a joke

A DJ in Cleveland, during his radio show last week, suggested to a parent that he should have his (the parent calling in) daughter, "screwed straight". The parent had concerns when he saw his daughter kissing another young woman. I sent an e-mail to the station manager. I saw the story on facebook. I copied-pasted the article to the FEC FB page. Below is the e-mail I sent to the radio station.

To the Station manager

Upon reading that DJ Domminic Deiter suggested that the father of a young woman should be "screwed straight" I was not just sickened but outraged. How and why would any human being, unless they are truly mentally ill, suggest that a parent let someone rape their child.

My e-mail was going to ask you to terminate Mr Deiter's employment. I realized that would not happen, after I found you on the web. And the list of mini links beneath the main. There I saw, "thong of the day" and "babe of the day". This is a station that finds humor and pleasure in demeaning women. Exploiting and degrading women is encouraged, and Mr Deiter's comments must have earned him some kind of citation for being the most vile-putrid staff of the month.

Asking you as station manager appears to be futile. This based on your web site and "thong of the day". I will take my concerns to the FEC. Your staff adocated sexual violence against a minor. And I can't imagine the FEC finding any humor in his statement. I found the story and shared it/reposted it on Facebook. I will be forwarding the story on to several of the "list serves", to which I am apart.

David Stewart

Regional Director; National Organization for Women

 

Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.

Take Back the Night.......

Quad Cities NOW was at  the local Take Back the Night event tonight.  It was a last minute decision. I saw an article in the newspaper Wednesday afternoon. Called this morning to Family Resources, got the okay from Megan. She was identified as the person setting up who would have a table at the event.

I got to the event, set up my stuff.  I did not look at the close at the material for TBN. Truthfully I did not think any brochure would be inappropriate. I was incorrect. The  brochures I packed featured reproductive rights. The word abortion did not appear on the front of the flyer.

About 15 minutes after I set up the Director of Fam Resources approached. She asked how I knew of the event and whom I spoke, to get an invite.

Then came the discussion of the materials. As glad as she was that NOW was at the event, (I did mention, NOW had been at most of the previous TBN events) the materials I brought seemed to the Director, contrary to the theme of the TBN event.  There was also an issue with some old NARAL bumper stickers I had out as "give-aways"  There were the, "I vote and I'm pro-choice". I was asked to  put the bumper stickers aways and turn the reproductive rights brochures over. .

At all the past Take Back the Night events NOW was invited to or at one time was part of the planning, the material offered by NOW were never questioned.  NOW in the 1990's helped or practically wrote the Violence Against Women act with Joe Bidens senate staff.

I did as requested. Many people came up and took materials, spoke highly of NOW and  gave me the feeling they were glad NOW was at the event.  The crowd was not as big as I expected. Parking at Mark S park is limited.  Most of the attendees seemed to be part of groups already invited.

I see this as an opportunity for NOW to work with sister organizations and show how all the issues of oppression, violence, health care ( including reproductive rights) equal pay  and GLBT rights are all inter-connected.

In Unity

david s