" However, when a lynch mob begins to gather, it is always wise not to jump in and participate. Everyone deserves a trial in which he or she can mount a self-defense "
Excellent moral advice. I am reminded of Bertrand Russell's recalling his protest against the First World War . The voice of conscience whispered to him : " Don't follow a crowd to do evil ".
Too many FIRST STONE throwers enraged with hypocritical bourgeois moralia.
The old socialist feminists had a keener insight into male sexual depravity: it all began centuries ago with downfall of the matriarchy and the triumph of " private property " soon leading to aggressive wars and human slavery.
As for " prostitution " it does assume many forms in capitalist society. I just read an amusing essay by the inimitable H.L. Mencken on the commonplace reality of American journalists as " prostitutes ". A kind hearted Mencken does suggest that they often try hard not to be. But the capitalist newspaper " culture " corrupts them sooner or later.
Zola's " Nana " is a portrait of a prostitute from the lowest of the low French working class who avenges herself and her family on French royalty and the French bourgeoisie . So many wealthy males ruined themselves for a taste of beautiful Nana's voluptuous flesh. But her final hours in the " sin " bed are best described by Edgar Allan Poe : there remained only a mass of " loathsome , detestable putrescence " A metaphor for social decay ? Zola was described as a " socialist ".He was also heroic in the famous Dreyfus case - involving anti-Semitism.
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