First World Problems
Let’s compare two stories…
Masoud is from Iran. There were 285 people in his boat, people were afraid and crying, and the smugglers tried to put more and more people in the boat. Someone fell into the ocean, and the smuggler took all their luggage and threw it into the sea. All of Masoud’s papers, family photos, his clothes, everything was lost in the journey.[1]
John owns a classic sailboat which he paid $40,000 for, and has since spent $100,000 on renovations on it, restoring it to great beauty. While sailing in the beautiful Waitemata Harbour, his sailboat was collided into by Charles, John’s boat, The Gypsy sunk into the harbour, and he lost everything, on the boat, his credit card, his house keys and his cellphone.
So, woke up this morning to the horrific news of Jill Meagher in Melbourne. Police are calling it a “a genuinely random, opportunistic attack”[1] Immediately there are calls for women to partake in self-defense courses and even horribly insensitive suggestions that Jill should’ve accepted the offer of being “walked home” by her male colleague.
You may have heard about the ‘women-only’ art exhibit at the Dowse Art Gallery (which opened last weekend) It’s had a bit of light press over the last few weeks, ever since they announced it.
The Green Party and SAFE have made making a submission super easy, and I suggest you all go and do it! NOW!