Date: 6 Mar 2008 10:08:47 -0000 From: "jane gillian rodrigues" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > the way, all Goans feel, which is - "why should I bother, not my problem, someone else has raped the woman". But, unless, we all unitedly make a noise, the atrocities against all women in Goa will continue. > Mario responds: > Dear Jane, > You and I are on the same side on this issue though I disagree with you on several details which may distract from your worthy objective. For example, I disagree that a) all Goans need to be ashamed, and b) all Goans feel that "why should I bother, not my problem, someone else has raped the woman". > To begin with, I have no idea how you know how "all Goans" feel. That's a pretty broad brush. Besides, I had no idea that "our Goan culture, guarantees the freedom, respect and dignity of all women." > There are atrocities taking place against women, and men, in every society. > GUARANTEES? We haven't even been able to guarantee that Goans will not be discriminated against because of the families they were born into. > How do you impose such a cultural guarantee? I am not aware of any such guarantees, though I believe that women, as well as men, should be treated with respect and dignity and not have to worry about being assaulted. > Secondly, wouldn't the constructive approach be to first establish the facts? If you have followed this story, there is some doubt as to exactly how this young British girl was killed, while you have jumped to the conclusion that she was raped. > What if the second autopsy finds that she was not raped? > Thirdly, instead of indicting all Goans, male and female, accusing them of being callous and trying to put a guilt trip on an entire community, which will lead many of them to tune you out, I think you will do women a greater and more practical service by making noise and warning them to be careful, not just in Goa, but wherever they happen to be, and to also learn some of the fundamentals of self-defense. > I will certainly join you in making noise about that. >
