When asked “What would you do if you only had 5 hours to live?”, numerous TikTokers recently answered on TikTok: “I’m going to do a Griffith.” Of course, each with their own “literary” prose.
My first reaction? What is this thing? A skydive? A new type of life insurance? A recipe for Halloween?
What was my surprise at discovering “Griffith”? A rather fascinating character of great complexity, portrayed in the manga Bersek by Kentarō Miura. The kind of tortured character, torn by the absurdity of life, torn between good and evil.
A warrior in search of an absurd dream who, during a demonic transformation, rapes Casca, one of his traveling companions (the only woman in the group), in front of the confused eyes of her lover Guts.
The scene is very violent and clearly expresses Griffith's love/hate (we don't remember exactly) towards Guts. A hate whose vessel is once again a woman's body.
You will have understood that the hidden meaning of “doing a Griffith” means “committing a rape”. Some even associate this “expression” with a photo of the potential victim or the one in their imagination.
Rape culture
Are you one of those who believe that rape culture is a hysterical and demagogic utopia invented by uptight, radical left-wing feminists? Take a deep breath and think about medication.
First, let’s ask the question: What is rape culture?
To be honest, let's not get involved in the big sociological debates, but rather stay down to earth. Let's say that if you make a post on Instagram using the phrase “doing a griffith,” you are contributing to the trivialization of rape, even if you say you are joking.
Comments like “She says no but she means yes”, “A man can force his wife to sleep with him, it's her marital right”, “She screams like a wolf but she dresses like an S” and so on, also part of the lot.
In other words, rape culture consists of words, behaviors, thoughts, beliefs, practices, and fantasies that justify and normalize rape while blaming the victim.
Male victims
Although they are the main victims, this form of toxic masculinity does not only affect women. In 2022, around 14% of victims of sexual crimes reported to the police were men. A value that is far from reality.
In fact, men are less likely to report their victimization, and this trend is even more pronounced among gay and bisexual men. Note that in Canada only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to the police.
Regardless, this rape culture exists and will continue to exist. Laughing at it or raising the specter of feminism will not make it go away.
Change starts with yourself.