Take Back the Night--->Patriarchy Rant

Sep 17, 2004 21:18

I went to a Take Back the Night rally tonight (TBN raises awareness for rape and sexual assault). It was okay. Unfortunately (??) I've been hanging out with feminists for so long that most of the stats and things they quoted were no surprise to me, and only served to remind me how unsafe I am on a daily basis (instead of feeling liberated by all ( Read more... )

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scary_kisses September 17 2004, 21:12:32 UTC
becca, i absofuckinglutely adore you.

there is so much i want to say, but (and please file this in the heretofore empty 'aurora is capable of shutting up' drawer ;)) words fail me...

<3 <3 <3

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skamp21 September 17 2004, 21:52:17 UTC
SAY IT, BI-ATCH, SAY IT!!

You know you want to...

:::pressure pressure:::

Buahahahaha.

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quixotic September 18 2004, 00:00:06 UTC
i think it's a tricky balancing act. it's clear that women are much more often victimized in this society. it's clear that a lot of men act as oppressors of women. and yes, it is important for women to have spaces in which they are empowered and free from this oppression. at the same time, it's important for women to realize that patriarchy victimizes men, too. right now, most of the feminist movement doesn't do a whole hell of a lot to encourage the involvement of men or encourage any organization of men for the same aims.

however, i think that it is so important for the future of women that we encourage men to do the work that they need to do. like you said, we've redefined femininity. the problem is now with masculinity.

a former professor of mine here at ut wrote this article. it's primarily about pornography (he's a pretty well known anti-porn feminist, which is not a movement i agree with entirely), but he does talk a lot in general about how masculinity needs to be redefined, and he says it better than i can ( ... )

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mandopout September 18 2004, 11:22:03 UTC
im struggling with how i feel about all the guys i interact with regularly. i think i need to work harder at not generalizing in my head...

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skamp21 September 18 2004, 12:11:41 UTC
Me too. As I was typing up the entry, I was realizing in my head just how many cool guys I know and being surprised by that. Then I thought, "Wait...so why is it that I don't notice so much when the women in my life are so strong and amazing, but the idea of a boy being sensitive and kind seems odd to me?"

We all internalize stereotypes.

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