Susan Brison's "Aftermath"

I found Brison's writings in "Aftermath" to be very poignant and well-written. I have to admit that I was a little weary when I began the reading because I didn't feel quite in the mood to read about sexual violence, but I now realize how much of a privilege it is that I felt that way. That I am extremely lucky that sexual violence has not personally affected me and my occasional lack of desire to learn more about it is both ignorant and fortunate. Brison's last sentence in the first chapter really hit me. She describes how she feels when she sees a woman jogging alone, and her urge to protect her, but "I catch myself, like a mother learning to let go, and cheer her on, thinking, may she aways be so carefree, so at home in her world. She has every right to be"(Brison 20). And it is so true. Women have every right to feel comfortable and safe in this world, and how sad it is that it is not the case. I feel mostly comfortable to jog alone in my neighborhood, but the thought or fear (however small it may be) of being attacked still exists.
It also struck me when Brison discussed her family's lack of or inability to console after her attack, which is due to our society's lack of the ability to sympathize and express appropriate concern. Brison used clever wording when she says, "... a symptom of our society's widespread emotional illiteracy that prevents most people from conveying any feeling that can't be expressed in a Hallmark card" (Brison 12).
Also, I almost couldn't believe the absurdity of the college's denial to grant credit for the self-defense and rape prevention course because it discriminated against men (even though giving credit to men on the football team was okay!!!) What!!!! I applaud women like Susan Brison for her strength, knowledge, and determination to work against our twisted, sexist society.