'Man-hating feminism'

[MisterDarsey]

There's an article about this in the Times today by Libby Purves, provoked by Lionel Shriver's portrayal of the boy in 'We need to talk about Kevin'

Just thought you'd like to know

I also refer you.... etc.

"I would like you to explain how you claim to the rather startling conclusion that everyone on MN is a man hater."

Not everyone, too many for my taste.

"It does. Isn't it obvious? Why do you think postcolonial history came about?
As white people we have to rethink our history, whether political or cultural, understanding the huge biases in the way it has been written. And many historians I know spend their time doing exactly that."

And most white people, including all the white women here (I hope!), are not sitting around hating and resenting non-white people for their freedom and equal rights, are they? They empathize, maybe they feel guilty about what their ancestors were like, but they couldn't be happier that those days are over.

Much like the majority of men, in this country, in most of the western world feel about female emancipation. It would be offensive and stupid to suggest most or all white people think like the BNP. And it's the same to say that any more than a few bitter old men feel like that about the modern world. Yet I have seen sentiments like that all over this site, many in this thread.

"Catmilk's still here then?

Worst flounce ever."

Consider it an epic, other threads are available if you are not interested.

slug - "I can't help hearing a whiney teenager's voice whenever I read Tyr's 'repeat and dismiss' arguments."

Imagine that's a man negating what a woman had written in the same way - what type of man would that be?

Ah, I get where you're coming from now.

You think we're all equal these days and really there's no need for feminism anymore.

Why didn't you say that in the first place? That's worth debating.

So basically you can't explain catmilk.

Might that be because you are actually making a ludicrous generalisation? Here's what you actually said:

"Ha, this thread is the last bit of evidence I need. And it proves its not a new thing either. This forum pretends to be for mums, but is just a meeting place for man-hating, bitter extremist 'feminists' "

and

"Mumsnet is a farce, It only welcomes mothers if they hate men, and if you hate men whether you are a mother or not isn't really important."

HerBex

slug - "I can't help hearing a whiney teenager's voice whenever I read Tyr's 'repeat and dismiss' arguments."

Catsmilk wrote - "Imagine that's a man negating what a woman had written in the same way - what type of man would that be?"

I have no idea if slug or Tyr is a man or woman. I don't think you know either, so what's your point?

Quite aside from the fact that racism is STILL a problem in this country and many others, I think its worth remembering that sexism has been round for millennia longer than racism. It's that degree of entrenchment over time that makes sexism so hard to deal with.

And it's quite possible for a good, decent man to benefit from the patriarchy and oppress women without him necessarily being a sexist or even aware of the fact that his actions or lifestyle is oppressing the women around him.

I thought her point was that misandy- sexist bigotry against men frequently hides behind a feminist veil, not least on these forums.

"You didn't express an opinion, you said something idiotic and insulting to someone who had had a difficult time. The fact that you have apologised shows that you know yourself it was inappropriate."

No Scarlett - I have apologised for causing distress, which was not my intention. I merely expressed an opinion.

You on the other hand have made some astonishingly rude and spiteful comments on this thread. I see you've done it just above.

Are YOU going to apologise?

Whoa - wrong thread! Sorry.

Prolesworth Sun 12-Jun-11 20:51:22

Quite, sunshine

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

Er, wasn't that quote used by Eldridge Cleaver? Something rather ironic in that.

flippinada glad you got that correction in there. I was very (even though this thread has gone very confusing and completely bonkers)

vesuvia Sun 12-Jun-11 20:46:43

slug - "I can't help hearing a whiney teenager's voice whenever I read Tyr's 'repeat and dismiss' arguments."

Catsmilk wrote - "Imagine that's a man negating what a woman had written in the same way - what type of man would that be?"

I have no idea if slug or Tyr is a man or woman. I don't think you know either, so what's your point?

Vesuvia, aren't slugs hermaphrodites? Tyr reaches for the salt cellar.. Mind yourself on the doorstep on your way out, Slug.

"And it's quite possible for a good, decent man to benefit from the patriarchy and oppress women without him necessarily being a sexist or even aware of the fact that his actions or lifestyle is oppressing the women around him."

That's not at all the picture that quote painst. I expect most white people here are aware it still confers advantage - are they yearning for a golden age of opression to return though? Reliving past dominant glories? Thats how 'men' are portrayed in that quote. None that I've ever known, maybe a couple of old cranks. Others experiences may differ I suppose, perhaps depending if you live in certain parts of the country or some small villages... trying to be fair.

Ooh - am I like new blood? Love the way I've just joined this thread and my quotes have got jumped on (possibly because all other comments have been refuted quite convincingly IMO).

No, I don't think (most) white people are yearning for a return to the days of oppression. But you've only got to listen to the cries of "it's PC gorn maaad" to realise that if equality actually means giving up some of your own privileges, people can get quite belligerent, even though those same people might not appear ostensibly racist and may have black friends or family members.

If you do not fight oppression, you are to some degree being oppressive by being complicit. That's all that's being said.

"is your second name 'some'?"

As in 'do you want some,' the famous Eastenders heavy-type threat of violence? What an 'odd' thing to say...

Ttr-you are waning-
is it youre dick that has shrunk or youre male privaledge?

I'm sorry sparky, I genuinely don't know what point you are making. I suspect you have misunderstood something I have said, but if you make yourself clearer I am happy to respond.