With the release of the elevator video displaying (now) former NFL player Ray Rice committing violence on his now spouse, we hear NFL people (including Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith) saying things like "We don't treat women that way. We protect them."
While I abhor violence and am willing to accept that domestic violence is different from other types of violence (spouses often feel trapped and there are numerous instances of it not being reported or the victims of domestic violence protecting their assailants) but his attitude continues to treat women as lesser than men, doesn't it?
In some of my mischievous moments, I advocate for equal rights for women saying they should hold doors open for me or men should go first. But I wonder, does chivalry support equal rights or is chivalry a way for women to receive some of the benefits of womanhood while still fighting for equal rights?
It seems like Janay Rice, the victim in this domestic violence that was caught on tape, is defined by her gender, needs to be protected by the male gender. Perhaps I am mis-reading the situation, but maybe not, what do you think?
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