TRIGGER WARNING - Themes of rape, sexual harassment and ads of a sexually suggestive nature.  Be advised.

 

Repashy, a company based in California that specializes in pet food for reptiles, amphibians and fish, sells a fish food called "Morning Wood" with the description, "Our Super Firm, Long Lasting Formula for Fish that like to Suck Hard Wood."

https://www.shop.repashy.com/products/repashy-morning-wood

This name and its description promote Rape Culture.  The name "Morning wood" and its description suggest:

1. men's erections and performing oral sex on men;
2. subliminal messaging that the "fish" in question is actually a "cold fish", a derogatory term used to describe a woman or a girl who refuses to reciprocate the sexual advances of men; and
3. subliminal messaging that the "formula" in question is a pill for erectile dysfunction in men, or a pill men can use to drug women and girls who refuse their sexual advances into having sex with them -- a common tactic of rapists.

The product "Morning Wood" promotes:

1. sexual harassment, misogyny and gender discrimination;
2. invalidating women and girls when their rights are violated;
3. sexual jokes that degrade and demean women and girls;
4. toxic masculinity and the "Good 'ol boys club";
5. the objectification and domination of women and girls; and
6. actions such as drugging women and girls that lead to RAPE.

These are all elements of Rape Culture, and they are what Repashy promotes with this product.  Repashy makes products not only for fish, but is also a recognized brand in the field of herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians.  Rape Culture dominates herpetology, and many women have stopped working in that scientific profession because of the sexual harassment and sexually abusive behavior from their male colleagues. 

All of this has to stop.

Exposing women, girls, families and children to this kind of advertising is abusive.  Normalizing Rape Culture attitudes towards women and girls is NOT okay.  Demand that Repashy Ventures Inc. change the name of this pet food product and remove its references to oral sex, drugging, the promotion of sexual abuse towards women and girls and other elements of Rape Culture. 

Please support this petition and share it on social media.  To learn more about rape culture and how to stop it, please consult our updates which include a video and articles.  Thank you for your support.  Safety and respect for all.

CC Teal

 

 

 

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can seek help by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). For more resources on sexual assault, visit RAINN, End Rape on Campus, Know Your IX, and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

If you or someone you care about is thinking about suicide there are ways to get help.  For immediate assistance call 911.  Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or chat online using the Lifeline Crisis Chat anytime, 24/7.

What is "Rape Culture"?  Please read the following resources to learn more:

"Rape culture is the social environment that allows sexual violence to be normalized and justified, fueled by the persistent gender inequalities and attitudes about gender and sexuality. Naming it is the first step to dismantling rape culture.  Every day we have the opportunity to examine our behaviours and beliefs for biases that permit rape culture to continue. From the attitudes we have about gender identities to the policies we support in our communities, we can all take action to stand against rape culture."  -- from U.N. Women https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2019/11/compilation-ways-you-can-stand-against-rape-culture

"Rape doesn't happen in isolation -- it's the manifestation of gender inequality in a society.  It all starts with unequal attitudes and behaviors, so don't ever say 'it was just a joke'." -- from The Equality Institute https://mobile.twitter.com/theeqi/status/961838320681615360

"Herpetology has historically had a 'macho, bro culture'... [one female scientist] had routinely witnessed obscene photographs and sexual innuendos in herpetology talks, though she said it had become less common in recent years.  Still, she said that culture had made her less inclined to attend professional herpetology conferences. Others who spoke out on social media said they, too, avoided such meetings or switched career paths."  -- from the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/16/us/turtle-researcher-women-bikinis-richard-vogt.html

"Misogynistic culture at conferences jeopardizes TSA’s (Turtle Survival Alliance) core mission of promoting global conservation of turtles and tortoises; this culture has driven numerous women from herpetology." -- from Inclusive Herpetology https://inclusiveherpetology.wordpress.com/

Please watch the testimony given by Charlie Coleman in the YouTube link below.  Commenting on rape culture, Coleman talks about his sister, Daisy Coleman, and her rape at age 14 (that trauma eventually led to her suicide in 2020, followed by the suicide of their mother four months later).  Coleman says in the video, "We see comments being made about women, saying, ‘Oh, it’s just locker room talk -- boys will be boys.’  That’s accepting the culture as it is and allowing it to grow. ...If the kid comes home at thirteen years old and talking with his friends about, 'Oh my God!  Did you see her butt today in social studies?', or the volleyball team will go on their daily run past the field and they'll be like, 'Oh my gosh!  Those spandex!', kind of thing, it's...it's...  People talk like that.  It's actually more disgusting than we see it as.  And it happens all too often because we haven't been taught.  It is up to the parents, the role models, the older brothers, the older sisters to start putting these ideas in kids' heads that THIS IS NOT A THING THAT'S OKAY." -- from Teen Vogue https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=VzC_Ss5oO4Q