david@cbnewsh.ATT.COM (david.appell) (06/21/89)
In article <DRUID.89Jun6134906@forsight.robotics.jpl.nasa.gov> druid@robotics.jpl.nasa.gov (Andrew Kerne) writes: >I don't think that men in general have the right to say what is >feminist -- it is something essentially defined by women. >So men, please, please, sit with your egos quietly for a little while, >at least until some women have spoken about this. Otherwise, the >connection between soc.feminism and feminism will be approaching >non-existent. I understand that what I am about to write is not a *perfect* analogy, but I think it has some truth. Is this question of whether men can be feminists any different from the question of whether humans can be pro-animal rights? I know that women can speak for themselves while animals cannot (directly), but at the base of both is the ability of people, men and women alike, to empathize. I think most of us understand why we object to puppy farms and the slaughter of the African elephants -- why would I not be able to contribute a voice to a movement that seeks to obtain equality for women? * *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* * -- David * * * * AT&T Bell Laboratories * * * * ...att!hou2d!appell * * * * {all possible disclaimers} * *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= *