Feminism in News and Popular Media

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Kobi

At the risk of sounding like I left my brain on the Vineyard, wtf is this supposed to mean?

Originally Posted by Allison W

It's one more item in a list of things I've been thinking about. Along with once having read in a history textbook that prior to Confucianism establishing influence in Japan and turning it towards patriarchy, Japan was a matriarchy; having once read that the reason--in legend, at least, I don't know if there's any evidence of it being the case in reality--that the Greeks played their great sports competitions in the nude was because once a woman had disguised herself as a man and won; having read in an anthropological study on differences between traditional tribal societies that permit female warriors and hunters and those that don't, that one severs the index fingers of its girls so that they will never be able to wield a bow.

What I'm starting to see is that patriarchy is in no way based on the idea that women are weak or unintelligent or otherwise unable. Not even remotely. It is only a symptom that appears after patriarchy has become established--after all, no society that thinks women are unable to be warriors would ever feel any need to sever their fingers to keep them from becoming warriors. Patriarchy originates from the knowledge that women absolutely are able, and the pants-shitting fear of that fact. I would not be surprised if that fear is exactly what Socrates is expressing in that statement.

It's a frightening thing to consider, though, as it means that patriarchy does not occur because of stupidity or ignorance, but very, very specifically because of evil. It is unpleasant enough to imagine that much ignorance in the world, and to be honest, I have enough trouble sleeping at night as it is.

I agree with what I highlighted in red above. I think what was being said is that if women are allowed true equality, they will quickly rise above men due to their inherent superiority. I admit it gave me a big smile.

[femmeInterrupted]

Cuntry Living played word association with people on the streets of Oxford, using terms pertaining to feminism, and got some really interesting responses

[femmeInterrupted]

[Kobi]

[Allison W]

Originally Posted by Kobi

This. People keep telling me I'm a broken record and looking for something to be offended about and making mountains out of molehills all the time.

[femmeInterrupted]

Originally Posted by Allison W

This. People keep telling me I'm a broken record and looking for something to be offended about and making mountains out of molehills all the time.

Other often heard 'favourites'"

"It's not as big a problem as you're making it out to be."

"I don't like your tone/Don't be so strident/Why do you have to sound so bitchy?/Angry/Lighten up!"

Insisting that people only discuss indelicate issues in a tone which you find appropriate is a great way to silence people. That one annoy's the shit outta me because it insinuates a few social cues that are highly gendered. First, that as a woman I should be somehow accommodating of someone's 'sensitive nature' and secondly, that I should 'down grade' or 'soften up' my delivery. I'm sorry I can't talk about the rape and degradation of women and children in soft hushed whispers. If it sounds like it all really bothers me, it's because HEY! it REALLY BOTHERS ME!

"Stop blaming the patriarchy"

"Well, what about.... (insert other issue...global warming, the economy, etc etc)
This diversionary tactic seeks to become a game of upsmanship, but in actuality it's just a way of trying to change the topic or shut someone up when the topic itself is upsetting/uncomfortable.

That whole "you're just looking to be offended....." is both silencing/shaming and of course, resistant. It's used to subdue/stop/create tension.
Know your truth and live it
F*ck 'em.


Don't Be

[Kobi]