I have copied and printed this article, and it's going into my Coursepac for next year's women's studies course! This line in particular hits me, about the "persistent, tiresome pronouncements of similitude" between men's and women's being objectified, sexually harrassed, etc. This happens all the time in classes and discussions -- inevitably someone will righteously cite a case they've read about in which a man was sexually harrassed by his female boss, as if the existence of one or even a hundred such examples cancels out any female complaints about the same thing. In the US, we get a lot of similar claims about racial issues. In Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, there's mention of black racism against other blacks, where lighter skin tone and straighter hair are valued over darker skin and kinkier hair. And every year, some (white) student will say that they don't really think it's fair to talk about white racist attitudes toward blacks when clearly blacks are prejudiced and discriminatory, too.
Totally agreed -- and on a similar note, there are people who insist that when a woman chooses to be a housewife, it's nothing different from her choosing to be, say, a plumber, and therefore it's disrespectful to talk about gender roles and expectations and societal conventions, because it's like saying she's not free to choose for herself. [insert obligatory disclaimer about having nothing against housewives here]
What an excellent article. Thanks for posting the link. I'm afraid it is recognizable, very much so. In my previous job, the 'other women are ... not technical, gossips, always pregnant, too emotional ...' was a constant factor. And each and every time you have to choose: voice a protest and you're a feminist superbitch, remain silent and you feel bad about yourself (but jobwise you're definitely more secure, and income is a factor to consider as well). Does it strike you, too, that 'feminist' is mostly used as an insult? Ugly, bra-burning man-haters? Even women, when asked, often say "Well, I wouldn't call myself a feminist ..."
Does it strike you, too, that 'feminist' is mostly used as an insult? Ugly, bra-burning man-haters?
Yeah, and it's interesting to note how efficient this tactic is -- even when faced with reasons why it's perfectly rational to be a feminist, many women will ignore these reasons for fear of being insulted. But then again, without the brave people who fought for progress despite their constantly being ridiculed, where would we be?
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Great link; thanks.
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You're welcome, I'm glad you found it useful.
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I'm afraid it is recognizable, very much so.
In my previous job, the 'other women are ... not technical, gossips, always pregnant, too emotional ...' was a constant factor. And each and every time you have to choose: voice a protest and you're a feminist superbitch, remain silent and you feel bad about yourself (but jobwise you're definitely more secure, and income is a factor to consider as well).
Does it strike you, too, that 'feminist' is mostly used as an insult? Ugly, bra-burning man-haters? Even women, when asked, often say "Well, I wouldn't call myself a feminist ..."
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Does it strike you, too, that 'feminist' is mostly used as an insult? Ugly, bra-burning man-haters?
Yeah, and it's interesting to note how efficient this tactic is -- even when faced with reasons why it's perfectly rational to be a feminist, many women will ignore these reasons for fear of being insulted. But then again, without the brave people who fought for progress despite their constantly being ridiculed, where would we be?
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