Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

US Ignores Rising Danger of Misogyny

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 8, 2009 2:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – The gunman in this week's Pittsburgh shooting hated women, but the nation seems not to care much about the rising number of such cases fueled by misogyny, Bob Herbert writes in the New York Times. He recalls the similarly motivated 2006 slayings in an Amish schoolhouse: “There would have been thunderous outrage if someone had separated potential victims by race or religion,” he writes. “But if you shoot only the girls or only the women—not so much of an uproar.”

“We’ve seen this tragic ritual so often that it has the feel of a formula,” Herbert says. “The rape, murder and humiliation of females is not only a staple of the news, but an important cornerstone of the nation’s entertainment.” A healthy dose of introspection would do the nation—and the nation’s women—a world of good. “Misogyny is a serious and pervasive problem,” Herbert writes; that, and the ubiquity of guns, “is a toxic mix of the most tragic proportions.”

Police officers stand at the front door of an LA Fitness location in Bridgeville, Pa., after the shooting.
Police officers stand at the front door of an LA Fitness location in Bridgeville, Pa., after the shooting.   (AP Photo)
George Sodini.
George Sodini.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We should take particular notice of the staggering amounts of violence brought down on the nation’s women and girls each and every day for no other reason than who they are. They are attacked because they are female. - Bob Herbert

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 33 comments
Spudsy
Aug 10, 2009 3:05 AM CDT
He did separate by religion. Just about every modern religion says women are dirty or worse. Not just Islam my friends. Check out 1 Corinthians 14:35 ......... If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church......That's right American mothers and fathers, just keep taking your daughters to church so they can find out how shameful and stupid they are. Then wonder why she ends up on the pole or turning tricks. I have yet to meet an atheist stripper. And I intend to continue my research as long as I can afford it.
ChickenChopper
Aug 9, 2009 12:45 PM CDT
i digress....he's ALWAYS got a point, albeit seriously shitty ones.
Fiskebolle
Aug 9, 2009 12:45 PM CDT
To deliberately misread his post and say that his correction of the original poster's theory is an argument FOR racism, is stupid. Perhaps you should process your thoughts a few more times before sharing them publicly.

More Newser Stories

Pa. Gym Shooter Left Behind Video Diary

Top City for Working Moms: Minneapolis

Lonely Pa. Gym Shooter Blogged About Attack Plans

Domesticated Swedes Make Best Husbands

Save Some Outrage for Gun Violence


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne