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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

This Poster is Like Feminism Never Happened

101 replies

IBlameThePenguins · 13/03/2011 19:31

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me posting here. I am very new to the world of feminism - although I have held pretty feminist views for most of my life, I am only just starting to read the theory etc. I am a regular lurker on this board, but so far, have never been brave enough to post.

Anyway..I stumbled accross this poster on facebook, and must say, am pretty horrified - and even more so by the comments below. One guy is trying to make a really valid point, and is being shouted down with a load of ignorant/ irrelevant abuse. I am so completely shocked at what some of the young women have written ("you must be gay then, mate" etc).

Was just wondering if you think it's worth maybe commenting.

TIA.

www.facebook.com/lydia.rickards#!/photo.php?fbid=10150115096265913&set=a.439749940912.218950.626130912&theater

OP posts:
carminaburana · 13/03/2011 21:15

Am I the only one seeing the irony here? -
The thread is titled - " it's like feminism never happened"
I'm encouraging her to be confident and have faith in her ability to tell idiots on F/B to STFU - but I'm wring?

Fine - I'll leave you to it - here's the cotton wool - get rolling.

Prolesworth · 13/03/2011 21:16

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Prolesworth · 13/03/2011 21:17

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FlamingoBingo · 13/03/2011 21:19

Carmina, why are you being like this? Do you think the feminst topic on MN is irrelevant? Because if there is no need for women to support eachother, then there must be no need for a topic like this?

You're not wrong to be encouraging her to have confidence, but you're wrong, IMO, in how you did it - what you wrote would have made me feel like a complete idiot.

SlainteBooyFeckingHoo · 13/03/2011 21:20

carmina there is no need for that attitude!! thsi is a supportive board and others have already posted to say that tehy can see what you meant by your post. you do not, however come across as supportive but rather critical and overly defensive.

FlamingoBingo · 13/03/2011 21:20

Booy - thread hijack, but what does your namechange refer to!? ConfusedGrin

SlainteBooyFeckingHoo · 13/03/2011 21:22

slainte means cheers in irish and fecking is like irish slang for fucking. i have namechanged in honour of st patrick's day. i live in the town where he is buried.

carminaburana · 13/03/2011 21:24

Ok - criticism taken and absorbed

FlamingoBingo · 13/03/2011 21:27

Ah, I see, Booy! Goodo! Grin

Original poster
IBlameThePenguins · 13/03/2011 22:07

Thank You all for your input. It seems the page is down now, but I am glad to have received your feedback. And carmin - I do see what you mean. I think it just came accross differently from how it was intended IYSWIM?

Can I just ask a quick question while I have you all here? I would like to start some reading aroung the topic of feminism, and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good first text to get me started?

TIA

OP posts:
Prolesworth · 13/03/2011 22:09

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AliceWorld · 13/03/2011 22:09

The Equality Illusion, Kat Banyard
Reclaiming the F Word, Catherine Redfern (and someone else whose name I never remember and feel bad for that, poor 2nd author)
Good contemporary starters.

AliceWorld · 13/03/2011 22:10

I knew that would end up x post with the same answer Grin

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 13/03/2011 22:11

and that Natasha Walter one, Living Dolls. But don't get all 3 because they cover much of the same ground. The Equality Illusion is best.

Prolesworth · 13/03/2011 22:13

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carminaburana · 13/03/2011 22:18

IBTP - no problem - tbh I rarely post in this section, you just got lucky tonight.

Original poster
IBlameThePenguins · 13/03/2011 22:22

Ah great, Thank You - I have popped The Equality Illusion on to my Amazon Wishlist...and it will hopefully be winging it's way to me shortly after payday!

Am off to bed now (got an early start tomorrow!) But thanks again!

OP posts:
FlamingoBingo · 14/03/2011 07:06

Except that reading something in a different format repeatedly does help to concrete it in your mind, I find! I've got all three but only read the F-Word so far.

carminaburana · 14/03/2011 13:24

Ah thank you for the welcome - I didn't see most of the posts last night due to being in the dark ( hence the appalling typos - Blush) - however, as lovely as you all are, this section really isn't for me. ( and I take no credit for this sections 'scariest' award - as I'm never on here Wink )

Can I just say something very quickly. As I said yesterday, I wasn't trying to put anyone off seeking support - however, feminism isn't something you do in retrospect or as a collective ( not sure how you 'do' feminism - but ykwim )

Support is great - but 99% of the time we're on our own and we have to think quickly -.standing up to people takes some courage yes, but you can't learn that from a book. There's no point knowing the history of feminism in 16 different languages if you're too scared to use that knowledge. ( I personally think feminism comes from within and cannot be learnt from a book ) you have to have belief in what you're saying and be prepared to say it - as an individual. Martin Luther King was one person - not 1000 faceless people marching behind banners. My own view on feminism is - Hmm, (( thinks )) my life has never been made unbearable by men - I've had the same opportunities as anyone else and I've never felt like a 2nd class citizen - so I've never 'looked' for problems that possible aren't really there.

The area where feminists are losing the fight is pornography. It's a growing industry and I'm not sure what can be done about it. Have linked a rather depressing report on the Box club in Soho - it's only going to get worse.

carminaburana · 14/03/2011 13:27

here

How the elite like to be entertained

AliceWorld · 14/03/2011 13:39

Imo you act as can act as an individual but with the knowledge that there are a whole bunch on people there with you. I seem to recall Martin Luther King wasn't a movement by himself.

And thanks for the porn tip off. We're on to it. Re clubs, there is now legislation around this thanks to campaigning by object amongst others. Not a solution to the whole problem, but a step in the right direction.

carminaburana · 14/03/2011 13:46

Matin Luther King - if faced with a problem, wouldn't have said 'hang on - I'll get back to you when I've consulted munsnet'. - you have to take responsibility as an individual.

And I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic re; thanks for the tip off -

Prolesworth · 14/03/2011 13:50

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Thistledew · 14/03/2011 13:52

Carminaburana - it is good that you feel that you have never been disadvantaged, or felt like a second class citizen for being a woman, but sadly, that is not the situation for many other women. Perhaps if you were a little more open to sharing ideas and discussing the issues with other people you would realise that you don't have to 'look' for problems, that are all around us and affect many women on a daily basis?

I agree that feminism is as much about doing, as thinking, but it is about changing societies attitudes as a whole, and you are never going to do that if you treat it as a wholly individual problem.

swallowedAfly · 14/03/2011 14:02

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