I nearly posted a comment on Feministing today, but in the end I didn’t because I’m a man. I felt like what I had to say deflected the conversation too far from the original, women’s concerns that the post was about. Demanding attention for the part of the post that I found interesting felt sexist.
Because the truth is, it’s a women’s space. In the “about us” it specifically states that it’s a platform for young women. And I want to respect that.
I thought about the fact that there are male pro-feminist blogs and everything, but there’s nowhere I can think of where the stated mission is to provide a place where feminist men and women and trans and intersex people can each have a voice at the table.
And what about a place where white feminist men and non-white “post-feminist” women could each have a voice? Is such a thing possible?
Is this me, a white male wanting to have a voice where I should not have one?
Does anyone want to try to start a co-ed feminist blog with me?
Whare are peoples’ thoughts on this?
I’m surprised you reacted in that way. It seems like I’ve seen many comments over at Feministing from men. In fact, when I look at their comments policy, they are inclusive of “feminists and allies.” If you felt like you were going to derail the conversation, it was probably good not to comment. If you felt like you couldn’t comment because you are a man, that’s a different thing entirely.
If you want to take a stab at writing a co-ed feminist blog, I’d be happy to contribute some writing if needed. I’m kind of curious as to how exactly this would be different from what’s out there, though. Co-ed perspectives? Different audience?
Call me crazy, but why does there have to be separate space for different “kinds” of feminists to share views? Why is your view less welcome because you’re male? Because women should have separate spaces, because usually no one cares about our perspectives? I know that’s not quite what you mean, but your concern seems misplaced, at least to my gut-level reaction. I haven’t quite analyzed all the angles as you clearly have, and maybe you’re right – you are more familiar with that website than I am – but… It seems like you’re way overthinking it to me. I am confident that your heart is in the right place, so by all means, you should feel free to contribute – wherever.
Come as you are, and all that.
My gut reaction is that male exclusion is a relic of the 70s that ought to be eliminated unless a really good case can be made in specific circumstances (like rape trauma victims or something). There’s a whole line of feminist thinking about the problems of drawing an absolute line of woman identity that encompasses all women because, historically, it’s actually been white women. And what about the genderqueer man? Has he suffered less than the white middle-class woman? Who is going to make that call? I say we just need to all be talking in the default case.
Read Donna Haraway’s Situated Knowledges from Cyborgs, Simians, and Women (also exists in a journal article somewhere). It takes on some of this female essentialism. I’d be happy to talk about it with you.