She's right, sometimes we don't even realize we're doing that to people, and I'm glad she was able to make him see that he was wrong. However, I have a problem with the argument she used, it really annoys me how when trying to prevent men from being physically or verbally abusive towards women some people will say "What if it was your daughter/mother/sister". I get that most people who use that argument mean well, they are trying to create empathy, bu at what expense? By erasing our value as individuals, and making it seem like we are only worthy as a women in relation to a male figure, and that can be extremely counter productive, in my opinion.
On the contrary, one of the best ways to connect with empathy and actually Impact people is by finding a common ground, and using that to expand to a more general understanding. If she had not approached it the way she did, it would likely not have had the impact of helping this individual,or people in general, understand the effect of their actions. We have to put things into context people can connect to, or they won't connect. This isn't devaluing anyone. And can we please, please, please dump the bullshit, dramatic, emotional and inappropriate use of the word 'erasure'?
I was referring to identity, our identities are often erased and that is a fact, because a lot of times women not only are not treated as individuals, but we are not even treated as human. There is this constant reification, this idea that we are objects meant to satisfy the desires of men and if we don't fulfil that expectation we are subject to all kinds of retaliation, from assault to having acid thrown on our faces, from revenge porn to rape. So it is not dramatic, it's the reality of a lot of women out there, if you disagree, that's your prerogative, but I stand by my opinion.
