I am concerned by the generalised implication that feminism is the root cause of male pain, family disempowerment/loss and eventually violence towards women; as articulated by M Mizzi (letters February 3).
No one in their right mind can justify violence of any kind. Violence is violence – no matter the institution that may ‘spawn, create, cause or apply’ it. Contained within violence exist many layered emotions: frustration, despair, low self-esteem, power etc. The effect is always the same: pain for the victims and pain for the perpetrators.
Feminists have a right to stand up and object to the weekly death of a woman in Australia due to domestic violence – and to continue to campaign to reduce such a phenomenon.
We witness historically/currently the violence of warfare, the effects of violence upon innocent cultures and the recent rise of Warfare Ecologists who are attempting to remedy the dire effects of violent warfare upon the innocent victims/ecology of warfare in Vietnam.
Violence wears many faces. Militarism depends upon violence. Should we not earnestly condemn it?
Nor do I believe that incarceration is the answer for violence, however, the law recognises that incarceration can be safer for some perpetrators of violence – and certainly safer for victims living in constant fear. But violence also exists in prisons. Having taught in them for several decades, this issue of violence has always concerned me.
I believe that all humans are capable of violence. The issue is to recognise that we must earnestly create more social structures to address potential/existing violence. Let us not overlook the ghastly social pressures that people are experiencing in this commodified society. Let us promote anger management programs, men/women groups, progressive ways to deal with pressure/violence for all humans. Let us attempt to dilute all violence and encourage greater understanding of human pain and work for realistic remedies.
Many lives will be saved by moving our consciousness towards a remedy. We owe it to future generations. Communities can and do create same. I question that the remedy exists within current political institutions. I maybe wrong.
I applaud M Mizzi, for opening this sharing of opinions. The struggle, it would seem, is to not personalise the issue but create social structures that recognise the existence of violence as a very harmful reality in all of its features.
That is why I was thrilled to see Rosie get the Australian of the Year award. She honoured her son who died at the hands of his violent/disturbed father. Perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided if we had more social structures for men and women and children that offered ongoing support for individuals and families.
The 21st century can be a time of great alternatives and achievements when addressing violence.
Jo Faith, Newtown
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
