Angry Mobs, Synced Periods & The Female Voltron Evolution

Honestly y'all, I did it to myself.  I should have known what to expect before I joined a GroupMe dedicated to “Game of Thrones,” especially one full of Southern black people.  Out of pocket comments about incest, the ladies of Dorne, and who really deserves to sit on the Iron Throne (*whispers* Lil’ Lady Mormont) should have been anticipated.

However, I did NOT expect to have to explain to a grown ass man that Sansa’s rape by Ramsay Bolton was not justified, no matter what she did or didn’t do. 

I remember the conversation so vividly. We were all watching the episode and providing live commentary in the GroupMe as we usually did. The graphic rape scene happened at the very end of the episode, and I remember how appalled I was at what was occurring on my screen.

Other women in the group echoed my sentiments, and we all came to the conclusion that it was purely unnecessary. And then it happened. One guy lost his damn mind and said, “I don’t feel sorry for Sansa. She’s a shitty person.”

Simultaneously, every woman in the GroupMe proceeded to lose every bit of chill left in her body. “Excuse me?,” “Are you fucking shitting me?,” “Please tell me you’re not serious?," “What the fuck is wrong with you?,” were all sentences that flew across the chat while the guys proceeded to metaphorically distance themselves from the conversation.

We tried to explain that no one deserves to be sexually assaulted or raped, no matter what kind of person he or she might be. We gave a brief lesson on rape culture in the United States, explained the long lasting impact of sexual assault on a person, and basically tried to enlighten this simpleton.

The man remained firm and tried to justify his point of view. He said what he said and he meant it. And, he had the audacity to follow that up by claiming that he was being attacked by an angry mob of women. Oh yeah, he went there.

Is not allowing you to spew whatever ignorance comes to your mind without repercussion an attack? And why are we an angry mob when we’re simply trying to educate you and help you be a better person?  

“In your mind, have our periods synced up and thus, when we get angry, we transform into one big Black Woman Voltron? ”

In your mind, have our periods synced up and thus, when we get angry, we transform into one big Black Woman Voltron? Or is it more like with our menstrual powers combined we are Captain Not-On-My Planet? Is that what we are? Is it like when Jon Snow faced a hoard of men on horseback by his damn self in the Bastard Bowl? Are we that intimidating? I honestly want to know.

I wish I could say that this was the first time I have been involved in situations like this. It has even happened again in the same GroupMe, and every time, the women are accused of turning into the Big Black Feminist Power Ranger.

“It’s almost inconceivable that our points are actually valid and that a man is in the wrong.”

It’s almost inconceivable that our points are actually valid and that a man is in the wrong. Practically impossible for a man to take an opportunity to learn and grow, instead of resorting to childish name calling and mudslinging. We simply are not intelligent, young women just trying help you get your shit together. Instead, we are a flight of devastating Valkyries descending from the heavens to eviscerate them with our long sharp hot pink talons and leave their bloody carcasses on the battlefield as a warning to their male comrades. (I’m not exaggerating, this is how some of them really feel.)

In any case, I have come to the conclusion that it does not really matter how you may see me or my fellow Pink Rangers in these situations. Your ignorance cannot be allowed to stand. Furthermore, comments such as these are the main reason why sexual assault survivors do not report their attackers. A culture that places the blame on the victim rather than the perpetrator does nothing but further the pervasive rape culture in our society.

“A culture that places the blame on the victim rather than the perpetrator does nothing but further the pervasive rape culture in our society.”

So no, we will not let you slip under the radar when you open your mouth without thinking. No, you will not being given a pass to  backtrack when you realize that you’ve fucked up without attempting to fully understand why you’re in the wrong will not be tolerated either. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. End of story.