jgh:
To add to Mo’s point, when I majored in gender studies in college, it was not to talk about how patriarchal our culture is or how the “man” is beating me down (I am looking at you, liberal feminists). Seriously, there are days when I am so SICK of the “I am a white middle class girl and you are demeaning my social position in the world” type of fucking rants that I am seriously sad and genuinely feel that something that used to make me feel like I wanted to make a difference in the world is being used for stupid arguments for any idiot with a computer.
Seriously, I am so fucking done with this dumb shit. Grow up, use your time better. Because these stupid little soapboxes are pointless. And for the record, I always considered myself a multicultural feminist. But honestly, if I never heard the F word again, I would be happy. This makes me sad, because I spent 5 years in college studying it and I used to love reading about it but not anymore. I will gladly stick to my 3rd wave “feminism is for me” mantra, because this ranting alienation shit isn’t helping any cause.
Is it not possible to care about multicultural feminism from a global perspective and rant about local gender standards? We’re capable of noticing sexism on all points of the spectrum, right? Why prioritize one effect of the same cause as “more important” or “more valuable” than the other? Is that not a dangerous rhetorical game? Personally, I think it’s important to validate people’s concerns about sexism on many different axes.
Good Lord…the solution to this seems fairly simple. Just fucking communicate like normal humans. Guys, if you have been raised to hold doors etc, then do so initially. Girls, if a guy doing this bothers you, tell them politely that you do not require such assistence. Guys, if you hear this from a girl, respect her point of view and stop. Some girls do like the chivalrous approach. Some guys actually do respect woman and do this, not to get into pants, but because its how the feel they show respect to a woman. But just talk and work it out. This isn;t a one answer fits all issue.
