Susan Brownmiller, notable for her influential book 'Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape,' has died at the age of 90. Her 1975 work was significant for challenging the narrative around sexual assault, asserting that victims are not to blame. Historian Claire Bond Potter remarked on its broad impact, emphasizing the exploration of rape as a tool of male dominance. Brownmiller's extensive research uncovered cultural biases and myths surrounding rape, which are still relevant today. Although celebrated by feminists, her treatment of race within the context of rape sparked controversy, illustrating the complexities of her legacy.
"Against Our Will was the first book about sexual assault written for a general audience, asking readers to think broadly about it as a mechanism for enforcing male dominance through fear."
"I believe, rape has played a critical function... It is nothing more or less than a conscious process of intimidation by which all men keep all women in a state of fear."
Collection
[
|
...
]