It's Free Speech We Need To Support On Campuses, Not Free Squelch
I'm one of the moderators of a members-only science forum -- one with quite a few academics as members.
Well, in response to a post linked there -- one I put up at the Applied Evolutionary Psychology Society blog -- a male member of the science forum remarked (about the experience of the author of the article I linked):
arrrg. sounds like someone went into a feminist hugbox and thought they were meeting social scientists.
"Feminist hugbox." Love that term.
But not everyone did.
A woman responded:
I think that you need to seek an education on what feminism means and to be more mindful of the terms you are using within a professional/academic forum. Frankly, your patriarchal ignorance is embarrassing.
My response to the woman:
I don't think there's just one meaning of feminism.I don't call myself a feminist -- I call myself a humanist because I'm for fair treatment for all people, meaning that if you're a man who's had your rights violated, I'll stand up for you.
I also find that feminism, as of late, often involves women demanding special rights under the guise of equal rights.
I also think [the man's] "feminist hugbox" was funny.
And finally, isn't there enough speech-squelching on college campuses? I think we need to support free speech.
I support your right to your scoldy speech, too, by the way, but I just think you should also think about what feminism "means" and whether it has, in some part, turned pernicious.
Bravo Amy!
Matt at July 30, 2015 11:06 PM
He should have thanked the poster for considering the head of the blog (definition of patriarchal) and assured her that she was wrong on both charges.
He was neither the male head of the blog nor ignorant of the term femininst, but was glad she considered him to be so special.
Bob in Texas at July 31, 2015 5:34 AM
In today's usage, and owing to a considerable extent to the actions and behaviors of postmodern feminists, the word "feminist" is practically a synonym for "misandrist". If you think of yourself as a feminist and you want to say, "wait, that's not what I mean", I hear you, but... that train has left the station. As Amy has done, if your philosophy is truly one of equal rights for all, you need to choose another word.
Cousin Dave at July 31, 2015 5:50 AM
Right.
If you are for equal rights, you are upset and horrified when men are treated unfairly. You are for rights for all people. You don't pick and choose on the basis of vagina.
Amy Alkon at July 31, 2015 6:46 AM
Not a new problem. Some dead white guy already noticed this trend, tone and all:
I R A Darth Aggie at July 31, 2015 6:49 AM
Awesome response there Amy! If she is half way intelligent (most likely not) then you just gave her an education.
Cousin Dave: feminist=misandrist. That is so spot on. Sadly, it has come to mean that.
IRA Darth Aggie - funny how those "dead white males" seemed to have explained so many things and are still relevant; if only people would take the time to actually read what they wrote!
Oh, and "feminist hugbox." I am so going to use that term from now on.
charles at July 31, 2015 7:03 AM
Amy, she couldn't see the humor in "Feminist hugbox" because the modern feminist does not have a sense of humor that they are aware of.
Jay at July 31, 2015 7:54 AM
"Frankly, your patriarchal ignorance is embarrassing."
Frankly, her matriarchal scolding is embarrassing itself, but I support her right to exercise it.
Sassy at July 31, 2015 11:54 AM
Hey! I'm from The Patriarchy and I'm offended by the implication that we're ignorant. Who can I sue?
T. J. Patriarch at July 31, 2015 12:11 PM
Leave a comment