Same As It Ever Was? Connecting the Dots Between Ancient Rome and #MeToo
“Throughout history, some men have justified their domination of women by simultaneously relishing and deploring an image of the dangerous…
“Throughout history, some men have justified their domination of women by simultaneously relishing and deploring an image of the dangerous and transgressive female, who’s largely imaginary crimes (sexual promiscuity) with the uncomfortable question marks this poses over any child’s paternity and irresponsible drunkenness demonstrate the need for tight male control.”
– An excerpt from “SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome” by Mary Beard
Been reading this book about ancient Rome. This passage about male domination of women struck me as especially poignant in light of the current #MeToo meme spreading like wildfire around the internet.
On one hand it’s depressing to see how many modern women have had to deal with sexual harassment and rape in what we expect to be more “enlightened” times. On the other hand one cannot help but appreciate how far we’ve come as a species. Rome’s foundational is based (in part) on a mass rape. Now we take it for granted that women are equal to men (at least in principle), and that sexual aggression toward females is never acceptable.
But just believing in the tenant of gender equality is not enough. Clearly sexual aggression toward women is still a major problem in our modern society. It’s not a thing of the past. It’s less violent (in general) and a lot less blatant than in the past, but it’s still here. So now we have to put our principles or equality into action – and keep our hands to ourselves.