>
> Of the three things that you mention as responses to these threats, two of them sound like valid, useful, and imminently necessary responses to the problem at hand, and the other sounds like a feel-good, we-gotta-do-*something*-we-can't-just-sit-here-but-since-we-can't-think-of-anything-useful-to-do-we'll-do-something-that-will-at-least-make-us-feel-good-about-ourselves response. Guess which is which? ;-)
>

At my school we've got blue emergency poles, a police presence, student-run escort services that'll come and walk people from one place to another across campus, and Take Back the Night marches. I think all of these actually do some good, including the student protests. For example, a lot of the people who work in the escort service are only there because of what they learned about the issue from other Feminist Student Organization activities. Those kinds of demonstrations raise awareness -- and raising awareness can do some good. It can inspire others. And just doing _anything_ will make those who are involved in the march itself take the issue more seriously and make it a bigger part of their lives, and that could have positive repercussions.

As for the argument that they should go to New York and see what rape is _really_ like -- well, that's part of the problem. The attitude that rape or other crimes against women only take place in big cities or "dangerous" areas is one of the things that tends to discourage any more practical action against them. Besides, Take Back the Night is an organized National (and maybe international) activity. So they probably have it in big cities too.

And yes, it also does make people feel good -- and that is also not necessarily worthless. And I think this sort of narrow Utilitarian evaluation of the marches is probably not the best way to approach the question anyway, but nobody wants to read my babbling about ethics. :)But the protest doesn't necessarily have to be about accomplishing something. Besides, what else would you like these people to be doing?

> >
> > Sil"do I really have to write something
> >here?"vercup
>
> No. Be a rebel non-conformist, like me. I only just recently started *signing* my posts.
>

T "I almost never write anything here because this version of my name is three letters long" om