The Problem of Reliance on Government in Regards to Violence Against Women

Throughout this course, I have found that each article we read does not neatly link with the others in a chronological or causal chain, but instead, each new article serves to complicate and enhance the complexity of the feminist analyses of sexual assault. Before reading Angela Davis' keynote address, "The Color of Violence Against Women," I was in agreement with her statement that “we should applaud the courageous efforts of the many activists who are responsible for a new popular consciousness of violence against women, for a range of legal remedies, and for a network of shelters, crisis centers, and other sites where survivors are able to find support”—and, satisfied, I left it at that. However, Angela Davis makes it clear that we cannot simply pat ourselves on the back for these developments, because there remains a framework which continues to bolster the interplay of racism and sexism and disadvantages those caught in the cross-hairs, namely black women. Davis highlights this contradiction: “Can a state that is thoroughly infused with racism, male dominance, class-bias, and homophobia and that constructs itself in and through violence act to minimize violence in the lives of women? Should we rely on the state as the answer to the problem of violence against women?” Along the same line of advice that my mother would give—that we “cannot fight fire with fire”—Davis’ query has left me feeling that any government involvement is inherently problematic, contradictory, and perhaps entirely harmful. So what do we do right now, in this moment, when the legal system and police forces are so terribly flawed? Davis suggests that “we need to come together to work toward a far more nuanced framework and strategy than the anti-violence movement has ever yet been able to elaborate,” but what does this entail? What does this look like? Davis links the abolition of the prison system as a possible factor, but is complete abolition possible? I’m once again brought back to the notion of proactive tactics such as education and training reform, which seem to be the best possible strategies for nearly every issue posed by the articles we’ve read, but will these be enough? While I’m now left feeling unsatisfied, perplexed, and maybe even a little frustrated, Davis has provided me with a lot to think about over the weekend.