20 Men of Action

Though we conceptualized this project as a response to Dan Turner’s terrible letter holding up his son as a likable fool who just happens to be a little rapey, our analysis and desire for men to speak out is not disconnected from the context of white supremacy and the way people in power use police, the courts, and other tools to punish and oppress people of color.   This site will not be disconnected from the need to shout out that Jasmine Richards should never have been convicted, should not serve another day in jail, and that those responsible for her arrest and incarceration are responsible for creating the same culture that let’s men, usually white men, believe they should have control over peoples’ bodies.   Jasmine Richards is in jail because of the same good-ol-boys oppressive misogynist and white supremacist culture that has Brock Turner walking.   Our original idea for this site was not enough.  

tw Dear Dan A. Turner, I am calling on you to immediately retract the full text of your letter to Judge Aaron Persky, apologize to the world, beg forgiveness, and become an advocate for Persky’s removal.  This is in everyone’s best interest.   The unmitigated arrogance of the letter you sent the judge is reprehensible. Do you think the court needs to know that Brock Turner used to eat steak and now has trouble eating?  That Brock Turner is shattered and would do better being an educator than serving time because he raped someone?   Do you really believe that Brock’s becoming an educator and that his efforts would be a “net positive” for society?   That’s heartbreaking.  You have patriarchy on the brain and it’s got a bad grip on you.  As a fellow man, I have to wonder how you got to this point.  Where you can go on and on about how much your son suffered after he sexually assaulted a woman and how you chalk that up to campus climates where drinking is prevalent?   Your letter was careless, invested only in Brock and showed no regard, regret, care, or concern.   I’m asking you: -to become clear right now on the difference between “20 minutes of action” and raping a woman and to state to the court and the world that this was a dramatically disconnected and thoughtless statement -to retract the full text of your letter in deference to its deep disregard for human life and its considerable failure to show regard for anyone but Brock - to specifically disavow your victim-blaming statements throughout the letter and to join other men in calling for a recall of Judge Aaron Persky whose sentence was both a product of sick “good ol’ boys” leniency and patriarchal toxicity.  As men, we have an obligation to speak up when other men are creating a culture of violence, inequality, injustice, fear, and misogyny. You, Brock, and Judge Persky can only contribute to a safer, more just world by renouncing your letter, holding Brock fully accountable, and apologizing with both words and justice-centered action for this terrible crime.   In resistance,  “20 Men of Action”

June 7, 2016 - We are 20 Men of Action - a group built specifically to resist the horrific statement of Dan A. Turner who referred to the sexual assault his son committed as “20 minutes of action.”   We are here to speak and act in the practice of defiance of misogyny, rape culture, and the pointless and vile systemic cycles of fear, oppression, and disregard for the humanity of others. This is not about glory, saving anyone, wanting praise, or pats on the back. We invite men, male-identified folks, and anyone who wishes to speak man-to-man in an effort to end male entitlement to the destruction of others.*   Submissions are reviewed and moderated. Submissions should take the form of the following: 1.  Your letter to Dan. A. Turner.  2.  Your letter to Judge Aaron Persky. 3.  Your actions or actions you learn about resisting a culture that says Turner’s comments and Persky’s sentence are tolerable.  This will be an intersectional space resisting men’s entitlement to violence. Save time by not submitting if you don’t believe that’s essential. *Why men? Women have been leading efforts to end men’s violence forever. What are we doing? How are we building something better? How do we call people out and in?