Despite the lack of a formal class in Science Lab Center 120, the seats were filled last Thursday with students, faculty and Winona community members who all gathered to hear author Pamela Fletcher discuss the book “Transforming a Rape Culture.”
The book, which includes work from famous feminist activists Andrea Dworkin and poet bell hooks, is a collection of essays about the origins of sexual violence and intimidation in American culture.
Fletcher, one of three co-editors of “Transforming a Rape Culture,” discussed the four main points of what constitutes a rape culture; Power, privilege, sexism and patriarchy.
Fletcher stressed that everyone who gathered in the lecture hall that night had some sort of privilege. Whether it was the color of their skin or how much money they make a year, Fletcher believes privilege can present danger.
“When privilege is exercised to the detriment of others, that’s when it becomes a problem,” said Fletcher.
Fletcher, an associate professor of English and Women’s Studies at the College of St. Catherine in Minneapolis, gave the attentive audience an example of how her students have struggled when they hear our society is patriarchal.
“When we talk about hatred of females, people get nervous,” said Fletcher. “’How can you say women are hated?’ students ask. I ask them ‘Look at what’s going on in our culture; do you consider that loving?’”
Fletcher also discussed what she considers misconceived notions of sexual violence in our culture.
According to Fletcher it’s largely assumed that sexual violence is when “people jump out of bushes and attack people they don’t know.”
Fletcher encourages people to look closer at domestic situations.
“By in large, most of us who are assaulted are assaulted in safe places by people we know,” said Fletcher.
Throughout her presentation, Fletcher stimulated conversation between audience members and herself.
After playing a recording of a graphic poem by playwright Ntozake Shange displaying statistics of how often women are battered and murdered every day, Fletcher asked the audience why everyone should care about assault towards women.
“People have mothers,” said Winona State University senior Courtney Ault. “Women aren’t second class citizens.”
Fletcher then led the audience into making connections about the portrayal of women in television and movies which she calls the allegiance of patriarchy.
“(Women) tend to judge other women,” said Fletcher. “There’s a construction of a bad girl versus the good girl.”
At the end of her presentation, Fletcher encouraged audience members to help create a less violent society.
“Not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something,” said Fletcher.

Contact Dana at DJKudelk7481@winona.edu