Just words.

Author: [US] Catherine A. MacKinnon, translated by Wang Xiaohong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The author describes a cruel and hypocritical society where the laws of equality and freedom of speech are in conflict. The author analyzes cases related to sexual harassment, group defamation, hate speech, and pornographic literature, demonstrating that as long as discriminatory practices are protected as freedom of speech, the law continues to suppress and reject the voices of women who suffer. Equality will remain just words. MacKinnon has made outstanding contributions to feminist jurisprudence. She is not only a teacher and expert in academia but also a lawyer and activist who practices what she preaches. The concept of "sexual harassment" was first proposed by her and she actively promoted related legislative efforts. This book is a collection of her lectures, divided into three parts, with sharp thinking, a unique perspective, and incisive language. It attempts to draw attention to the harm caused by so-called speech: its impact on women, children, and oppressed groups, particularly its effects on women's human rights. Years of activism and research have shown that, as women who are objectified in pornography describe, the reality of harm enters pornography from their experiences. From this perspective, the discussion in this book attempts to define and explore the forms of legal and social inequality through expressions such as hate speech, racial harassment, sexual harassment, and written defamation. The book aims to understand the role of speech in perpetuating inequality and to elaborate on the position of equality in speech. The author's argument is to stop harm and to create space for the voices of the oppressed, who are isolated and rejected under unequal expressions.