Is “our thoughts are with the women and girls” becoming the new taking of the knee?

[Sidebeforeself]

I have heard that statement ( or variations on it) so much these past few days it’s beginning to sound like a gesture. I suppose you could argue well what else can people say, but it’s more about the way that it’s said. As if the speaker is the first person to point it out. It’s usually said in a lowered ,sombre tone too as if we really need to pay attention.

I dont know, Im probably over thinking it but Id prefer to see real action based on the fact that it should go without saying that victims of sexual abuse should not be forgotten.

Just a rant

Empty words.

And a valid one. The only real response is to give proper sentences, hold those who are guilty to account and pass more protective legislation.
But we know that won't happen

Genuflection to ward off the evil spirits of being "on the wrong side of history " without looking at wider picture

So much easier than actually doing anything useful to recognise women and girls as a unique sex group and protect them.

I think the only response I have to ‘my thoughts are with …’ right now is ‘what you going to do about it, then?’

It wasn't too long ago that a gay man ( self identified 'trans ally') snorted with derision at my saying 'women and girls' ( in relation to the female protected category, and the integrity of biological sex). Now it has caught on and all of the Lefties are using it to show how much they supposedly care about 'women's rights' and 'violence against women'.

It is absolutely a trend that was set in motion by what has come to be known as the Gender critical movement. But It is is just another virtual signalling meme by the same people who brought you 'TWAW'.

Most of the time I don't think the venue is right for anything like that. Political speeches, great. Prayers at church, great. Sports events, award shows? It isn't really the place in most instances.

I thought that it's being being used by the same bunch of hypocrites that want to throw out the rights of biological women and girls, in favour of men in dresses and lipstick.

Yes it's just verbal genuflecting, a platitude that is hollow and meaningless and profoundly insulting to whatever set of 'women and girls' they're using as the political pawns of the moment. 🤬

Another one that has me grinding my teeth, is 'I won't participate in the culture wars', a way to dismiss the concerns women have about the rights that have been taken off them. 🤬

And 'we're following the process' to excuse their inaction over doing the right thing and following the law. 🤬

followed with “lessons will be learnt”. Really? Have we not learnt these lessons? Empty words that sound like you are paying attention but then you don’t have to actively do anything

Empty words. That’s what they are.

they just say it but don’t really mean it

I think 'our thoughts..' etc is being used to deflect away from the subject, which is the abuse of girls by men.

Instead of saying something about how the sexual exploitation of girls is rife in this as well as other societies, and is perpetrated by men from all walks of life including the most privileged and the most powerful, they can say 'Our thoughts are with the victims', which is nice, but avoids the issue completely.

At least 'taking a knee' , even though it later morphed into clunky virtue-signalling, was originally a visually-striking gesture to draw attention to a brutal racist killing. Being non-verbal, it didn't deflect from the horror of what actually happened, whereas using words like 'our thoughts...' does.

It’s much easier to ‘remember the women and girls’ than it is to make the hard decisions of not appointing people/not associating yourself with people who do real and lasting damage to women and girls when that seems to be expedient. Or indeed to notice that your policies and other political behaviours are damaging to women and do the work to change that.

The old adage, actions speak louder