Next time you see something in the
media that bothers you about how violence and self-defense are portrayed, ask
yourself these questions to help you pinpoint what the problems are.
Social Context
___Does
the text and/or subtext communicate the social context of violence and/or
self-defense?For example:
●
The reality of violence—who, what,
where, when, why?
●
The reality of inequalities (e.g.
gender, class, disability, race, sexual orientation) in experiences of violence?
●
Violence as socially-produced rather
than natural and inevitable
Accountability
of Perpetrators
___Does the text
and/or subtext communicate that perpetrators, not victims, are responsible for
violence? For example does the text make it clear that:
●
Victims
of violence do not ask for, cause, invite, or deserve to be assaulted?
●
Attackers’ use of grooming,
manipulation, intimidation, or force is their responsibility?
●
Victims’ words and behavior are not
being judged?
●
Learning new skills or regretting one’s own
actions does not mean responsibility for violence?
Embodiment
of power and competence
____Does the text and/or subtext communicate that embodiment is
foundational to women’s empowerment? For example:
●
The worth of people’s bodies, regardless
of gender, disability, race, social class, sexual orientation, etc.
●
The importance of bodily integrity
and people’s right to make decisions about how their own bodies are treated
●
Developing respect for and loving
one’s own body
●
Self-defense is reclaiming one own’s
body
●
Finding the power and competence in
one’s own body
●
Physical self-defense is stance,
breath, body language, escaping, strikes, kicks
Comprehensive
Self-Defense Toolbox
___Does the text
and/or subtext communicate that self-defense is a range of tools. For example,
●
Knowledge of risks of violence
●
Recognizing danger signals
●
A continuum of verbal skills,
including de-escalation, assertiveness, confrontation
●
Projecting consistency in body
language and verbal content
●
Leaving unsafe situations
●
Speaking out against violence
●
Strikes and kicks are tools of last
resort
Checklist from Martha Thompson, IMPACT Chicago, and Alena Schaim, IMPACT Personal Safety New Mexico, "Media Portrayals of Violence and Implications for Self-Defense," National Women's Martial Arts Federation Self-Defense Instruction Conference.
