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From: mpr@mb2c.UUCP (Mark Reina)
Newsgroups: net.legal
Subject: Re: pornography, women, ERA
Message-ID: <345@mb2c.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 2-Dec-85 13:36:58 EST
Article-I.D.: mb2c.345
Posted: Mon Dec  2 13:36:58 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Dec-85 05:30:57 EST
References: <7762@ucla-cs.ARPA>
Distribution: net.legal
Organization: Michigan Bell, Southfield, MI
Lines: 31

> 
> Yes, it's too bad the ERA didn't pass.  But it didn't.  Our society remains
> one in which women are legally inferior to men.  Add to this the constant 
> depiction of violence against women as valid social or sexual intercourse
> and it becomes apparent that we have institutional and personal subjection of
> women.  What is wrong with changing that?
> 
> Hasn't anybody else male noticed all these examples from, say a.i., of the 
> John hit Mary variety?  If you are not aware of the physical, social, and 
> economic persecution of women in this society you are not looking, and chances
> are, you are male.
> 
> Peter Berke

Peter Berke, you are making several bad assumptions.  First, ERA would not
significantly affect the rights of women.  There are already many laws on the
books, both federal and state, that give women enforced equality with men.
There is really nothing to be gained by a new Constitutional Amendment.
Secondly, I do not see a continual depiction of violence against women.
I guess that in your eyes I must be a male.  However, the national crime
statistics bear me out.  Most crimes are committed by men.  There is no
clear majority for either female or male victims.  Finally, economic persecution
is on the decline.  Our society has placed women at a different position than
men for sure.  But this position is changing.  I see women becoming more
involved politically and in business.  Four of my last seven bosses have
been female.  I can understand that some people, like yourself, have deep
emotions about pornography.  But in attacking pornography, you should stick
to that issue; and not draw in your subjective predelictions on other issues.

		     Mark Reina