jeffw@tekecs.UUCP (Jeff Winslow) (01/17/84)
Let's start with the last first. A recent contributor (who should realize
that proper net etiquette requires relevant subject headings) claimed
net.women.only was full of men complaining about the existence of
net.women.only. I believe this to be a lie. I have read net.women.only
since its creation (by a man) and I have seen *no* articles meeting that
description. I challenge Ms. Radetsky (sp?) to reproduce one article
supporting her accusation.
She also gave the following examples of "woman hating":
1. A somewhat sado-pornographic shoe ad.
2. Men jeering (and perhaps hassling) women on the street.
3. Saying a woman only got her position so an AA quota can be met.
As to the first, she is probably right. I don't hate women, I also don't
enjoy sadistic pornography. So I can see that. The second is not a good
example. There is probably an element of resentment in that behavior, and
libido plays a definite part as well. That does not constitute hatred, however.
Likewise, the third case is due to envy, not hatred.
A further example of misconception regarding women hating: A feminist friend
of mine insisted that the travails of the heroine in "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
was an expression of hatred for women by the writers and director involved.
However, she couldn't explain why she was always rescued. Being a woman and
a feminist, she couldn't accept the obvious solution that survival
of the woman was emotionally important for the man, and the various travails
were designed to arouse men's sympathy, not hatred, for her.
Well, what do you expect? It should be no surprise that women have a hard
time understanding some male behavior. But it is wrong to ascribe that
behavior to hatred. Especially so, since "hatred" is a much more loaded
word than "envy", "resentment", or "libido". The kind of word which inspires
violent, desparate, unthinking action. The kind of word which is most effective
in a group separated from men, so no contrary evidence can be offered.
But then, perhaps that is exactly what some feminists want?
I realize that this is only the flip side of separatism, but it can't be
truthfully said it isn't there.
Jeff Winslowedhall@randvax.UUCP (01/25/84)
-------------------------------- I agree with Jeff that `hatred' is a loaded word, and clearly inappropriate in the contexts he discribes. However, if you substitute `domination' and `dominance' the message becomes clear. -Ed Hall decvax!randvax!edhall