Hmm

[deathpixie]

Funny how things travel in coincidences. Not a couple of days after a conversation with a friend about the way women are viewed as manipulative and somehow evil, Joss Whedon shares his thoughts.

I'm not entirely sure of the Womb Envy theory - my presonal theory is that it's a function of fear, of men in general (not any one specific man or group of men) being afraid of the impact women have on them, on their behaviour and the control they can weild through sex that leads to the 'evil' tag, but again, that's just a vague opinion and nothing to do with any of the actual men I know (with a couple of exceptions). It's something to think about, any way, the fact that 50% of the population is not only targeted as weak and morally reprehensible, but that that 50% also buys into it.

The article also raises for me the question of the power of the modern media in our society, and whether, with the glut of reality TV, we've become so used to viewing things as part of a giant television show or movie or game, that we don't stop to considering the actual reality of it. The empathy of it.

Heavy thinking before heading off for the traditional May 2-4 BBQ, this time at Johnny's place where we don't have to get caught in the rain. I'll leave you to it.

Comments

[pollymel.livejournal.com]

See, I always wonder about that. In what way are you not a feminist? Do you believe that which particular set of genitalia you own should influence your career? Do you believe that the particular set of hormones that influenced your pre-birth or adolescent physical development have made you incomparable to someone influenced by the other set?

I have never been of the belief that being a feminist means that I think that women are better than men (and so not going into genitalia, medically that's more complicated that I want to mention) just that it meant that women aren't worse. As a result of this I wonder why it is that women get paid less, are the social givers of EEEVIL! aka sexuality, and have all of that other cultural baggage.

Being feminist has not, as far as I can figure or have experienced, meant that I am blind to other forms of discrimination, and that I have used up my "But why are there differences in how these two groups of people are treated" quota. I didn't even know there was a quota. Why can't I be a feminist and liberal, gay-rights, environmentalist, inclusionist, human/civil rights advocating person?

And to Rossi: How can you look at all human equality without looking at gender? Sure, and also looking at *spits* race (I hate that word, my inner scientist gets grumpy when I use it), language, age, abilities and disabilities, sexuality, physical and social groups.

You know I'm not angry at you guys, but I get so tired of seeing the fact that it is culturally unacceptable for women to be feminist. Let alone men. It's insane that it's considered risque for straight men to call themselves feminist. Frankly I consider that a sign that more people should be.

[(Anonymous)]

See my above comment to Lauren. *grins* And I think it'd take us running over your cat or something to get you mad at us. And then you'd be calling us on the phone to rant at us, not doing it in a journal entry. :)

[seraangel.livejournal.com]

And that was me, by the by. *smacks hand against forehead* Forgot to log in.

[pollymel.livejournal.com]

Heh. And no one's run over my cat for years. Plus you'd have to be here for that.

...

You should come and visit and not run over my cat.

[seraangel.livejournal.com]

*grins* When I have money and annual leave to take, I believe I shall do so. I'm currently saving for a new computer, and just paid for my trip to DexCon so the funds are somewhat scarce right now. However, that shall not always be so!

[deathpixie]

*sighs* Forget it, I said the wrong thing, I'm too damn sick of people yelling at each other and at me today to argue.

[pollymel.livejournal.com]

Dude, opinions aren't the wrong thing. I'm sorry you're so stressed today, I feel strongly about this issue but wasn't planning for a fight either.

Who's been yelling? My life is one of low level atmospheric bitching and moaning. Not just by me, if you can believe it.

[frito-kal.livejournal.com]

It's just because the term's been stolen by the crazy people that so many of us are reluctant to use it for the casual day to day "Hey! I'd like to make as much money as a guy doing my job and quit assuming I'm a slut if I like giving blowjobs, can we have that too?"

In some cases, it's picking battles. I'm tired of having to explain what version of feminism I mean when I say "I'm a feminist."

[pollymel.livejournal.com]

It's more people who say that they're not, rather than people who don't mention it. I'm just confused that any woman (and really, most men) can say in that tone of confused horror "Oh, I'm not a feminist." which no one here has said, but it bugs me. It is not the equivelant of being a leper, dudes.

Also, I'm a bit of a reclaim the language kinda person. It doesn't come up often, but if it does then I say a quick "I like earning money and not having to give up my job if I get preggers, how about you?"

Maybe I deal with non-argumentative people more. Others have mentioned that they've had people tell them that feminists have made things worse. Which makes me cry.