the paddling pool

If you are referring to where I then generalised and said it would be good to talk to men about these things not only here but in RL, it obviously wasn't any judgement re which is more important - to discuss feminism between women or with men.

Just that I don't mind discussing feminism with a man and actually think some good might come out of it.

Juggling - "Your argument there sounded a bit like it was at least as important if not more so to discuss feminism with men, as it is to discuss it with women"

No it didn't, because I said no such thing. And it wasn't even an "argument"

All I said was that I'd be happy to talk feminism with a man if one happens to show up in FWR.

As I said before, it really feels like some of you have been reading the same books and talking among yourselves for so long that you see stereotypical "arguments" wherever you look.

I suppose pregnancy doesn't interest them in the same way as being told that they are oppressors does. That's fine by me. The few who show up might learn something.

Your argument there sounded a bit like it was at least as important if not more so to discuss feminism with men, as it is to discuss it with women.

I gather it's often said on fwr that someone will soon come along and say " But what about the men ?"

That's what I meant - I thought most people would see where I was coming from, but did try to clarify in the brackets

I'm not telling anyone they're not welcome. I'm telling him that I am not interested in his views. He can continue to post as much as he likes.

You can search and make up your own mind.

Let us not sully the waters of the paddling pool with these trifling matters.

Look up which thread?

If he was such an ogre on that thread, shouldn't you be asking MNHQ to ban him rather than tell him he is not welcome?

Which, you must surely know, you have no right to say to people on a public forum?

juggling - re "What about the menz - Surely we should talk to them about all of this ? your argument sounds a bit like that to me there Cote - just to be a bit more straight-forward"

Am I supposed to understand what you meant by this?

A bit like what?

I'll talk about feminism with my dh, because I know he loves and cares about me and will listen to me - and he's a very new man type, but even he doesn't get some of it! He has a bit of a blind spot with 'male privilege' for example - thinks because he has always treated women with utmost respect (and he has as far as I'm aware) he doesn't benefit from male privilege. When he does.

I think it is because there have been so many invasions here, I can't help but wonder about the motives of men posting here.

Cote, we said. Not good to discuss past threads. Feel free to look them up.

If you want to discuss feminism specifically with him, why not PM?

Agree, Alameda. I'm fine to discuss feminism if men are happy to listen, ask questions and so on. NOT if they want to try to tell me what I should think or feel.

Even my lovely partner does this on occasion, although he understands a lot more now I think.

Well, I won't be free to talk to him if he is hounded off FWR for being a man, will I?

I asked a question and nobody answered, and I'm curious. Is there a reason why he is unwelcome on this thread other than that he is not a woman?

Alameda - Of course there are differences between every person, even within the same racial group. That doesn't mean there is no such thing as race.

These days, the term 'race' is used to mean 'subspecies'. Just like there are different species of cats, for example, although there are always minute differences between one cat and another within the same species.

We were taught that races of people are groups who have evolved in separate geographic locations, according to different natural selection criteria. And that it doesn't take an anthropologist to recognise major races, although there is overlap especially since we have mingled so much in the last couple of centuries.

I thought I'd go with the changing room analogy since we're all in the paddling pool here ?

You don't need to apologise, running. It is your opinion and it is valid.

Juggling, you were right earlier - it feels like a man sneaking into a women's changing room and joining in a conversation.

Sorry, I know it sounds really really bad, but I've felt like this for a while and it's actually quite nice to get off my chest. Apologies if I've offended.

Cote - you are free to talk feminism with men. I personally find it too frustrating. I'll talk about it on a basic level (eg pointing out sexism where I see it) but the finer points? Nah.

What about the menz

• Surely we should talk to them about all of this ?

( your argument sounds a bit like that to me there Cote - just to be a bit more straight-forward )

Of course there are similarities between how people from some areas look - but there are also huge differences and I think that's what is often overlooked.

The other point is that it really doesn't matter, does it? Is it important what body we are born into? Why should that have an effect on how we act?

Feeling aside, I think we need to talk about feminism with men (not only here but in RL). If we can change the way they see these issues just a little bit, it will be worth any discomfort that may cause us.

yellow - You know what I mean, though, I hope. The exact classification is "Mongoloid" - you know, the epicanthic fold, shovel incisors, etc. I used the term "Asian" because "Mongoloid" sounds derogatory to some people. Apologies for any confusion.