En Passant

  Old white men dominate our news, our economy, our politics and our lives. Harvey Weinstein is but the latest example of rich white male ruling-class overlordship. Me in Independent Australia today. Weinstein exercised his power in society to prey on women. He could only do so – and go unchallenged for decades – because […]

Electing Hillary Clinton won’t challenge let alone change the system of oppression or the positions of power that give some powerful men what they think is (and because of their positions of power often is) sexual power over women. Indeed, like Obama before her, as President Hillary Clinton will reinforce the oppressions of capitalism, the oppressions of gender and race on which capitalism has been and is built and reinforced.

Having more women as bosses will not challenge the system that gives rise to women’s oppression. It will only reinforce it. In the meantime, women workers, including junior doctors, could join unions and turn them into organisations that defend their interests. In the words of the famous song, don’t be too polite girls, don’t be too polite.

How can we achieve a world without rape or any form of sexual violence? Elizabeth Schulte in Socialist Worker US in June 2011 explains what socialists have to say about the question. Sexual assault is the product of a class society in which sexual relationships between men and women are shaped by alienation from their own bodies and emotions, and from one another.

‘A campaign against rape in isolation from all other aspects of women’s oppression will not serve the purpose. Rape, like domestic violence and sexual harassment, is a symptom of a deeply unequal class-based society that leads some men to think they can control women, including sexually. This is reinforced by women’s material inequality and lower status in society. We must challenge sexism and through the process of struggle will see millions of people questioning the brutal, sexist and exploitative capitlaist society in which we live and look for alternatives beyond capitalism.’

Sexism and the devaluation of women are inherent to of our class society. Let’s all work now to stop violence against women. But let’s also work for a future society in which all human beings are treated with respect.

Some of us love rugby league. Or used to. The season starts on Friday. Over the weekend police questioned Brett Stewart – a star player – over an alleged sexual assault. They have taken DNA samples from him and expect the results next week. The player denies the allegations. [Update: At 7.30 pm on Tuesday 10 March, […]