sarah@rdin.UUCP (sarah) (08/24/83)
cFb2*7 "White Male Only" clubs, societies, and organizations have long been a way to keep oppressed groups oppressed (notice, Don, you don't have to be a minority to be oppressed). That is why there is still a rather justified fear of such organizations. Often these exclusive clubs or societies serve as a power base for the "old boy" network. And of course there's the old trick of making membership in one of these societies a prerequisite for receiving a much-coveted honor or award, thus preventing women, blacks, etc. from even being in the running. Organizations for women, blacks, and other special interest groups have been established to provide power bases for groups which are being oppressed. They provide support for people of groups which traditionally have not had a power base in society. Often these organizations are exclusive of whites, or males, or whatever group has been the oppressor--obviously you don't want your oppressors as members of a group that is fighting that oppression. Personally, I believe any such blanket restriction is not good, since the oppressed group will eventually have to learn to work with all parts of society. However, I do sympathize with those who support the formation of such groups, particularly when a movement against oppression is in its fledgeling stages and is very fragile. If organizations for oppressed groups allow the oppressor group to be members, there is the risk that those who have traditionally held the power in society will come to control the organization. Those who have been oppressed usually need time to discover their strengths and unlearn what society has told them about their unworthiness. For instance, a woman who has always kept quiet and listened to men may find the confidence to speak out in a group of women. Naturally this confidence should eventually grow so that she can also speak her mind to men, but that necessary first step might never be taken if she didn't have a support group. I agree that on the surface the distinction between "White Male Only" groups and "Oppressed Group" groups seems unfair, but there are broader social issues involved. I repeat that I am not usually in favor of exclusive groups, simply that I believe there are valid reasons for them sometimes. (By the way, there was a group at my college for males only which was formed as a support group to help men deal with the changing social and sexual roles of men in modern society. No one howled about it, since it was not formed as a means of oppressing other groups.) Sarah Groves New York philabs!rdin!sarah P.S. I am not in support of a net.women.only, by the way. I think hearing the viewpoints of both sexes is important--I don't think you can totally separate the interests of one from the other.