Biting off more than one should chew...

My LJ activity is pretty much restricted to the BtVS/AtS fandom, which is fine as few of my RL friends or colleagues pay any attention to what I consider to be a fascinating program. Particularly, I've been fascinated by the ways in which many of the characters and storylines transcend the genre and provide some insights into real life.

I'm about to enter some very controversial space here, because I'm going to discuss the subject of rape. Primarily, some opinions and observations I've developed and refined in the wake of Spike's sexual assault upon Buffy in the episode "Seeing Red". It's a hot-button issue. A lot of people have very passionate opinions, both about the subject and the characters. My friends list is by-and-large restricted to a certain subset of the fandom, and I suspect I'm not likely to get flamed, but you never know.

I'm a 27 year old single male. I do not have personal or professional experience with Rape or Rape counseling. My understanding of the psychological factors and pathologies that influence rape are secondhand. Information I picked up from rape awareness seminars, or through friends of mine in the University of Michigan School of Social Work. I'd consider myself somewhat informed, but I'm not an authority on the subject.

There have been many a kerfluffle on the subject of Joss Whedon's portrayal of rape, and after some reflection, I wanted to clarify my own opinions on the subject.

( My thoughts on Whedon's message on rape and the redemption of Spike... )

Biting off more than one should chew...

My LJ activity is pretty much restricted to the BtVS/AtS fandom, which is fine as few of my RL friends or colleagues pay any attention to what I consider to be a fascinating program. Particularly, I've been fascinated by the ways in which many of the characters and storylines transcend the genre and provide some insights into real life.

I'm about to enter some very controversial space here, because I'm going to discuss the subject of rape. Primarily, some opinions and observations I've developed and refined in the wake of Spike's sexual assault upon Buffy in the episode "Seeing Red". It's a hot-button issue. A lot of people have very passionate opinions, both about the subject and the characters. My friends list is by-and-large restricted to a certain subset of the fandom, and I suspect I'm not likely to get flamed, but you never know.

I'm a 27 year old single male. I do not have personal or professional experience with Rape or Rape counseling. My understanding of the psychological factors and pathologies that influence rape are secondhand. Information I picked up from rape awareness seminars, or through friends of mine in the University of Michigan School of Social Work. I'd consider myself somewhat informed, but I'm not an authority on the subject.

There have been many a kerfluffle on the subject of Joss Whedon's portrayal of rape, and after some reflection, I wanted to clarify my own opinions on the subject.

( My thoughts on Whedon's message on rape and the redemption of Spike... )