The original email:
ArgusEyes,
First off I wanna say I agree that there are some very radical feminists out there and can come across very strongly and some are even man haters. But look at the years of oppression they were fighting against… Imagine not being able to vote, to go to collage, looked down open because your gender, not being able to work where you want to work. Did you know that in the 1920’s if a woman was to become a teacher she would have very set rules (which a man didn’t) one example is she couldn’t drink any form of alcohol (which was common back then as strange as it sounds now) not even a glass of beer. She wouldn’t be able to find a partner and would remain a ‘spinster’ and then for that reason would be shunned. If you do more study you will also find out woman where put on opium to be happy whilst doing the house work and (heroine was named for this reason) after that basically took over woman another drug was used to ween them off it and this was called heroine NICE! I could elaborate on the history of that little incident but then this letter would be way to long.
When the men where all away at war the woman were allowed into the mans jobs and in one of the adds it said ‘remember girls you’ve still have to look pretty’ Even today woman are getting 84 cents to every mans dollar even if they have the same education and working in a similar or same position as a man. That is in 2008, so I am a little offended when you prattle on about how bad feminism is. I think that people have ruined the meaning of feminism anyone who says one gender is better than the other is not a true feminist! I do thrive for equality I love men and I love woman, I want to be able to become a scientist and get recognition even if I wasn’t a ‘beauty’, and yes I know men are seen in the media a lot today and they are judged on their looks to but you have to admit it is enforced in girls at a very young age. You get Tonka and army tanks and we get Barbie and a toy oven WOOOPY. So yes it is sexist on both behalves.
I am not sexist I respect your opinion but I think you need to open your eyes, think what if you weren’t blessed with the white male privilege (and I am sorry but that if what you have) imagine if you had to abide by these unfair laws, you couldn’t have your say without looking like a piece of meat (I wont get started on Hugh Hefner). You had to be beautiful and elegant and if you wanted the chance to run your country or even have a little bit of a say who did you were just laughed at.
Also when you discussed rape, I believe this is a very important issue to tackle even if it was only 1 in a million it should be STOPPED whether it be a male victim or a female victim. I am sure you agree I just wanted to say that.
Also I have to point out that there are men feminists you know. For example Ian MacKaye, John Lennon, members of the bad brains, Bob Marley, Joss Whedon, Jack White, The Beastie Boys, Eddie Vedder, Phil Donohue and I know many male feminists. The list goes on…
Also you said feminists where all man haters!?? That is a little sexist and stupid to say, you are contradicting yourself. You want this to stop yet it seems you have very strong issue against feminists…. (Correct me if I am wrong). Anyway you threw in some quotes so I will to but you see I wont just focus on the bad or the ones where they where obviously making a joke to prove a point of how most men have been through the 1920’s – 1950’s…. but anyway here they are: but first I looked for a few of those quotes and I found the Germaine Greer quote but others like Barbra Jordon and pretty much the rest I could not find. I am interested and (I am not being nasty) would like a link to them please. Oh and Marilyn French a woman of the 1920’s come on you have to understand her angry. I did find a good quote of hers I think you will like. And she actually said “All men are rapists and that's all they are. They rape us with their eyes, their laws, and their codes.” She is saying they take from us our rights, I don’t know how you can’t see how true that was in her day?? You should have quoted some more modern feminists.
“To ask women to become unnaturally thin is to ask them to relinquish their sexuality.” Naomi wolf
“Most urgently, women's identity must be premised upon our "beauty" so that we will remain vulnerable to outside approval, carrying the vital sensitive organ of self-esteem exposed to the air” Wolf again
The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. - Gloria Steinem
For women... bras, panties, bathing suits, and other stereotypical gear are visual reminders of a commercial, idealized feminine image that our real and diverse female bodies can't possibly fit. Without these visual references, each individual woman's body demands to be accepted on its own terms. We stop being comparatives. We begin to be unique. – Gloria
How do we create a harmonious society out of so many kinds of people? The key is tolerance -- the one value that is indispensable in creating community. Barbra Jordon
“Anyone determined to find another person or group inferior can always find whole lists of grounds that demonstrate inferiority because we are all inferior to the ideals of humanness we have erected” Marilyn French
And I could go on and on but I have taken a lot of your time. I just really wanted to say all of this because I believe you have either met some really stupid “feminists” that only ever says ‘I hate men’ or ‘if woman where running the world there would be no war.’ Well once again I have to say feminism is not anti man, it really truly is a fight for equality between the sexes it is for both men and women.
You know I think Bob Marley had it right when he said “We sick an' tired of-a your ism-skism game”
I know this is none of my business and feel free not to answer but who was the douche saying that Zionists and Feminists are the same?? Oh and that Bill Maher clip was good I do love him, he is a fucking bitter old prick just like me! You also have really good taste in books, my town is so small I can’t even find animal farm anywhere! It kinda sucks when I have to scavenge in ever second hand book shop within a 30 km radius ha ha but still I will find it!
Anyway thank you for listening. Nat. :)
Posted on: Sunday, October 26, 2008 2:35 PM