'Filling the Gaps' - the 'calling out' culture and feminist blogs
You have a right to be respected in feminist spaces, but you do not have the right to constant and full validation. It is not the job of any blogger to cater fully and comprehensively to your particular interests and perspectives. It is not their job to represent Feminism exactly as you want it represented; it is not their job to do Feminism
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On one hand, I don't see how callouts not being the "best" activist tool doesn't mean they're a good thing, or necessary. Yes, there are more effective ways to share ideas - and it's easy to sit behind a computer and talk about everything and never have to take action IRL. But I don't see why we can't do both... the author here says we are shutting down voices rather than raising each other up, but I do think it's possible (and necessary) to shut down ignorant voices while still allowing non-ignorant (can't think of a better word) voices to be heard. I *like* knowing that people are going to be called out, and that it's safe to call people out, because in real life it rarely happens and it's frustrating.
But on the other hand, sometimes I see things along the lines of "you should shut up and learn," and I definitely find it problematic to tell women to "shut up" in a feminist space. I'm not talking about women who are speaking from a position of privilege in a particular discussion. I think it's hurtful when women are trying to share their experiences with issues that affect them in their own lives and are shut down because of mis-wording and what not. I think we can discuss internalized misogyny without treating women like they're bad or stupid for being influenced to think that way. I understand that intent is not magic and that people don't have to respond "nicely." But I think there is a difference between telling a woman in a feminist space to shut up and leave and calling out a privileged person on their ignorance.
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