It takes all kinds ...

[seraphcelene]

Hmmmm ...

So, I've been reading about feminism and all of its sundry categories and derivations. And ... wow ... Just ...

Radical feminism and feminist seperatism leave me totally floored. Although I recognize and deeply appreciate the necessity for radical extremes against which the center may be balanced, aiding, indeed inciting, the progression of social, political and economic change, I am stunned by the levels of pure-D hatred and intolerance.I always thought that I was a feminist, or at least had feminist leanings, but apparantly I am a brain washed, enslaved sheep complicit in the degradation and subservience that women are subject to.

I ought to be ashamed.

Too bad that I'm not.

Comments

Re: OMG!!!! LJ !!!

[katharine-b.livejournal.com]

Ah, I understand much better now what you mean and how you were feeling about reading radical feminist texts. Reading something and feeling pretty sure that the author would think unkindly of you is... yeah, not good. Especially when you do share lots of concerns and goals with the author, and might otherwise sympathize with her, at least on some fronts.

Sorry that my first response missed your point somewhat -- I do just get so frustrated sometimes with my students and their reluctance even to consider labeling themselves as feminists. (ARGH.) Okay, better now.

And hey, a tongue-in-cheek response is good.

I have also really liked the Judith Butler I've read, on the whole! I read Undoing Gender for a theory class and liked it quite a bit.

Re: OMG!!!! LJ !!!

[seraphcelene]

I totally understand. I just had a conversation with my sister about sexual harassment in the workplace and her reluctance to report it. I was so startled and totally couldn't believe it, so we had a talk. Women want so much to be liked. Part of that conditioning we mentioned earlier, women are supposed to be nice and accomadating. WTF!!! Part of that, I think, is that we can't be feminists because feminists aren't nice. They make trouble. They hate men. blah blah blah. If I were very young or very unsure about my own position with the cultural and sexual debate then I might be leery of labeling myself a feminist, especially considering the conotation (which unfortunately has most to do with the more extreme, radical and negative components of the movement). If I were you, I'm sure I would be pissed and I could totally see myself being peeved and as a result smart-mouthed with my students.

It's such an important thing that women become aware and THINK for themselves, that people become aware and THINK about the things they do and say and agree to, as well as the things they don't do and don't say. I could pull my hair out.

In closing, I am very glad that there are people out there like you, enlightened and willing to be outspoken about thoughts and ideas. It's so important because so many people refuse to have a voice. Which totally sucks because we are privleged to even have a voice, when so many don't or are prosecuted because they attempt to speak out.

Okay, stepping off the soap box!

Re: OMG!!!! LJ !!!

[katharine-b.livejournal.com]

You know, the sad thing is, I've never been smart-mouthed with my students about feminism -- just standing at the front of the class and telling them I'm a feminist is shocking enough for some of them. Really. *headdesk* I swear, they're thinking: But you're not scary...

Good luck to your sister -- that must suck to deal with. Bah.

Re: OMG!!!! LJ !!!

[seraphcelene]

But you're not scary...

lol! omg!! exactly. it's sad that they have *that* reaction!!!