Jessica Valenti’s (of Feministing) new book called Full Frontal Feminism.  I totally love the title. I read an interview she linked to on Feministing with Rebecca Traister of Salon.

What I like about Valenti’s style is that she is so honest and nothing is sugar coated.  Like her, I have been unsettled by women who believe in equal pay, equal rights, voting rights, are prochoice etc etc but would rather die than call themselves a feminist.

The most meanigful parts of the interview for me occurs when Traister asks Valenti about her opinions toward rape, rapists and their unfortunate victims:

You write about your frustration with critics who say rape and murder victims like Imette St. Guillen should not have been out so late alone at a bar, but I presume that you also want to teach women how to be safer.

All people should be taught to be safe and make smart decisions. But when you say, “Of course she was raped and murdered,” because she was transgressing by being in a bar having a drink … [Fellow feminist blogger] Shakespeare’s Sister did an amazing post on this pointing out that women aren’t raped because they’re drunk or dress a certain way, women are raped because they’re in the presence of a rapist.

Not to sound lame but you GO GIRL!