Feminism and Sexism
“Feminists are sexists.”—
Poor […] white boy feels oppressed; decides to join new anti-something movement.
(via bbcity)
i didn’t watch this guy for more than a few seconds, but isn’t “feminism” a sexist construct? if it’s about equality, why isn’t it called “equisexism” or the more explicit “gender equality”?
(via inbonobo)
Because it’s largely about reparations to and for the female sex—and how it is engaged by the male sex is auxiliary but essential. You can’t play catch-up with millenniums of oppression by calling it what it’s not to appease angry boys who think getting under/misrepresented in domestic violence court cases justifies bashing feminist thought (without ever actually addressing it). Further, feminism is not about subordinating men. In fact, some feminists argue that patriarchy oppresses men in subtler and more insidious ways than it does women, considering it is harder to pin-point and combat (see abominably high suicide rates of young males in the UK, for instance). However it’s still foolish to rename it something like “equisexism.” It’s not a sexist “construct” because it’s a response to sexism; society is institutionally a sexist construct. Everyone who is not a white male, statistically, makes a fraction of every white male dollar in the U.S. I’m not concerned with hurting reactionaries’ feelings by not dehumanizing the concept with diluted names either. Until white male patriarchy is defeated, it will be feminism, because both female and male feminists have had it with the imperious masculinity that continues to pervade our society.
You’re giving an interesting definition, especially since many feminists, not to mention dictionaries (“the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men”) seem to emphasize the “equality” part and are surprised that there are those who will have none of it. It’s good that we (seem to) agree on this point:
Feminism has as much to do with universal equality as Gynecology has to do with the study of sexuality in general.
Before going any further I have to tell you that back when I used to waste my time in University I also wasted my time volunteering as a sex & relationship counselor on campus and I used to call myself “feminist”. I used to accept a lot of revolting ideas, much like what you write above, but since then I started questioning them.
In terms of “reparations”, you can’t even begin to discuss these concepts without taking a “collectivist” / “gender issues” view of the world; I don’t. If women were indeed oppressed more than men during certain times in history, how is it better that some men are bashed over the head in family court while some women get away with murder? What fixes that and who benefits, and how?
“Until white male patriarchy is defeated” - I honestly have to ask you: do you REALLY believe this to be true - that there is a “patriarchy” apt to be fought against, by discriminating against its supposed members irrespective of their actions, thoughts or beliefs?
Many atheists believe that a large chunk of religious people don’t really believe in the guy in the sky, but pretend they do in order to be part of a community. I’m beginning to wonder whether many of those who supposedly adhere to these ideas are in the same conundrum. See also girlwriteswhat.
