I've. Had. It. With. Feminism. (Part One - The Tattoo)

a reply to: KaDeCo

I'm a feminist. So despise me. I just want to point out that in EVERY GROUP IN THE WORLD, there are "extremists". Seems like you've run across your share of them. They are the most vocal, obviously.

feminism
[ ˈfeməˌnizəm ]
noun

the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

Nothing about sex, professions, anger, hatred or rape. Just simple political, social, and economic equality.

I'm a housewife by choice. I cook, clean, do laundry, shop, and care for the "little ones" (dogs). My husband works and supports our family. And I LOVE my life! Being a feminist isn't about hating men, wanting to be a man, wanting to be JUST LIKE a man, be in competition with a man, or anything like that. Although you'll find plenty of women (the most outspoken ones) who think that's what it is...

Being a feminist is about equal opportunity and that's IT! Who cares about someone's tattoo?

a reply to: KaDeCo

GREAT rant.

My cousin told me about a book she was reading about men and women and how their roles have switched over the years, now women became dominant, power hungry, looking to get a good status in society and men... well they just try to live in PEACE and make it out alive and well as much as they can lol...

I don't hear feminism anymore though, equality is already here in the first world... now feminism is basically hating all men, and not giving them any slack. That's just a nightmare for mellow guys like me and i'm happy being single cause of it, though I miss being in a relationship... I fear it more than I want it really.

I'm a woman, 'though I see myself as an Androgynous bisexual man in a woman's body... it still doesn't change my opinion on the matter, and even feminists piss me off and annoy me.

I view both men and women as equal, albeit having different physiologies. No one is superior to the other and no one gender should be.

originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic
a reply to: KaDeCo

I'm a feminist. So despise me. I just want to point out that in EVERY GROUP IN THE WORLD, there are "extremists". Seems like you've run across your share of them. They are the most vocal, obviously.

Unfortunatly when it comes to feminism, the inmates are very much running the asylum, you seem genuine and well meaning in your beliefs but the bulk of the actions taken and rhetoric spoken in the name of feminism no longer represent your ideals.

Oh wow, OP, you've hit the nail. It's not just a vocal minority, these idiots are quickly becoming the majority. A lot of my friends like to call themselves feminists, but the ones who truly seem to be fitting the bill for the what is now damn near archaic definition (old school feminism) are far better described as seeking Equality. Nothing more. And that's what I admire. No gender labels, no "gotta fight for teh wimminz", just equality. That's how it should be, we don't need to toss in gender to accomplish it, it should be a no effing duh default way of thinking.

I tend to blatantly ignore, and occasionally mock, the militant feminists I know. Hell, one kind-of friend is a damned walking contradiction. She's very militant, all about the borderline extremist viewpoints like you outlined in your posts. For all the bologna she spews about breaking away from stereotypes and crushing the male domination and gender role chains, she's . . . a housewife.
I haven't spoken to her in a long while, and tended to ignore her outright when we did speak. If you're going to talk the talk, walk the damn walk or stuff it. Not that it's necessary for progress, but her kind of hypocrisy gains zero credibility waving that flag around.

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

I don't think anyone despises you , and I think you would be hard pushed to find someone who disagrees with the basic ideals that define feminism. I think what upsets people is the need to define yourself as such, are there opinions to change? For instance I am ethnic and believe that racism is bad, but I would not describe myself as an activist promoting greater equality as I see no need to as I do not feel oppressed ( here on ATS or in the west on that front ).

There are plenty of areas of the world where activism is required to readdress balances and change un-progressive opinions, however I would argue that we should not forget our roots and learn from our past; it was not all wrong. The case for feminism in the majority of the west is not required on a day to day basis and just like the race card it has been come to be seen as something of a hypocrisy were problems are sought/created were there are none.

I think this is what people are frustrated with the monster it has the potential to turn into ( role reversal: oppressed to oppressor). We have more complex social issues that need addressing equality for all certainly but let this simple sentiment stand and let it not be clouded and used as a tool for those who have the intention to divide and conquer.

All these isms and groupings are ridiculous and just serve as a tool to divide us...: We need gender equality in Saudi Arabia, we need to change attitudes in/and/towards people of different race(s) in South Africa. These are two extremes examples that I have put my message across about effectively, without generalising or dividing groups, now everyone within those groups is offered the opportunity to take ownership of their problems...

It is not so much the tattoo but the membership to the group that it represents... However you better watch out for that arab muslim terrorism ....

originally posted by: Expat888
a reply to: kaylaluv
Solve the domestic abuse by both sexes in your own countries before seeking to impose your will upon others .. as to iraq thats in the middle east not asia .. you might want to brush up on your geography as well ..

When did I say anything about Asia? I said there are women in other countries/cultures who are in sore need of some old-school feminism. I stand by that statement.

Part Three (Really Equal? A few examples)

Okay, after a lot of sleep I realized I came off as heavy-handed. So to that effect: Benevolent Heretic, I don’t despise you. I don't know you. That was an angry moment statement that was encompassing and I am sorry if it was an affront to you. I also do not consider wanting equality as ‘feminist’ either. Equal not ‘more’ equal is what you’re standing for. You’re right it’s not about tattoos but it is about the entire culture on how things are viewed. I wouldn't consider you a feminist under this rant. You’re probably a decent human being who has empathy and compassion for others if you want people to be treated equally! These people do NOT want to be treated equally.

This bucket of crazy is a feminist that is just buckets of crazy:



I imagine if a man were to wear condoms from his ears he’d be called sexist. That even if it were some convoluted statement it would only reaffirm the stance of “he only thinks about sex”. So how is tampons as earrings is… fine? What bothers me about this movement is this, and further that by screaming at the top of your lungs “I am more than a body part!” or “MY UTERUS IS MY BUSINESS” and then parading around in a huge vulva costume… well you managed to reduce your existence to a body part again. Further by protesting with your uterus you've now MADE your uterus my business. Ugh.

Imagine if men protested being sexualized by wearing huge erect costumes of their wee dandy doblins? They’d more likely be arrested for their antics. Oh wait. That happened. (yeah it was at a gradation and very inappropriate but my point is when is it EVER appropriate?). Counterproductive disgusting and ‘avant-garde’ approaches might be needed to put that “!!!!” at the end of the point. They have their uses – but this has become the norm. But this post is more about the dang hypocrisy in the movement. So I want to bring some thought candy forth. Something no one wants to think about:

Anthony Weiner.

Carlos Danger.

So tell me… why is it violating to a woman to have her nether bits broadcast all over everything – but not him? Why wasn’t the release of Carlos’ Danger seen as a criminal act by the media? While Anthony Weiner had his scrapbook Lil Anthony spread, analyzed, and even MEASURED all we laughed and laughed? I admit I did. Seriously… Carlos Danger?

I regret that now. But it took a bit for me to see that it is not funny. Even if he picked the worst screen name. Why is it OK for the media to ask "WHAT WAS HE THINKING?!" and degrade him when his private (read: never intended for public prevue) texts and photos were released? I've asked this and got “well he shouldn't have taken them and sent them”. We can’t ask that of JLaw. Right? What happened to her is an invasion of privacy, right? As I said previously – that’s victim shaming. We can’t dare state “If you don’t want naked pictures of yourself to be on the Internet the safest way to accomplish that is not to take naked pictures.” Because it’s her right to expect privacy. It wasn't his though ‘the pig’. I can hear it now “Well Anthony Weiner’s photos were never stolen but released by the woman he sent them to.” Would it be OK if that were the case with JLaw’s photos? If the recipient of her photos sent them to TMZ for a bit of cash? Fame? No. It’s not OK. It’s never OK to betray someone like that.

Why is it alright, say, for Katie Couric to laugh and suggest castration as an option for a jilted bride. Can you even imagine if Anderson Cooper suggested a jilted groom perform a mastectomy?

We do not treat men and women equally, and in these specific cases that inequality is skewed heavily toward the women. Now, there are cases in which the chips are stacked against the womankind too. I understand this completely. But my point is that this sort of double-think is accepted by our society because it disadvantages the male – due to the pervasive feminist model that has allowed the radical outskirts to become mainstream. In fact, they want it to go further. Dancing vulvas just ain't enough.

I wonder why so many men have their masculinity threatened by extreme feminists? Seems pointless and retarded.
If you are secure in your own sexuality; this shouldn't even be a consideration.

I have bull dyke feminists , fems, crossdressers, trannys, and some that even defy description, male queens, and all sorts of leather clad butch homosexual men as friends. I very rarely encounter any prejudice for being a brutally handsome heterosexual. On the rare occasion I do... they are usually drunk and just acting out for show.

Live and let Live. Life is much to short to be concerned with trivial BS.

a reply to: KaDeCo

Amen! I'm also tired of all the other aspects of the modern politically correct, university mentality: anti god, anti male, anti straight, anti freedom of speech, reverse discrimination, health fanaticism, and all the rest! They call this freedom? These people obviously have no conception of the principles of individual freedom, individual choice, and tolerance for opposing points of view this country was founded on.

a reply to: KaDeCo

This is the kind of thing the Gay population should look at and avoid also. we need to reach reasonable not ridiculous.

a reply to: MichiganSwampBuck

Ahem, allow me,

RAPE! RAPE! You raping RAPIST! RAPE!

Answer your question?



Oh, and I think you also patronized them in there somewhere too.

Btw,

AMEN, sister, can I join your club? You sound like the kind of woman I'd call a real feminist and can respect.

a reply to: Domo1

Personally, I think we should ship them off to some of the worse countries in the world where they can really be down for the struggle and let them experience what they claim they want.

originally posted by: Domo1

This is the one that really opened my eyes about new wave feminism. EVERYTHING is LITERALLY rape. Looking at a woman wrong is rape, holding a door is rape, asking for a phone number...

The SJW crowd is the most hypocritical bunch of narcissists I've run across. Unless your a transexual overweight midget in a polyamorous relationship and think you're a dragonkin you and your opinions don't matter. They look for so many problems I can't believe they haven't all succumb to exhaustion.

I'm all for what I consider real feminists. People that call out ACTUAL sexual harassment and discrimination, are able to have an open and POLITE dialogue with others and just want to see people treated equally and see that there are indeed differences between the sexes. So, normal people.

Agree with everything you said on this... But lets rewind to this statement please, " Unless your a transexual overweight midget in a polyamorous relationship and think you're a dragonkin you and your opinions don't matter.". First off, you almost ruined my computer because i was taking a drink of water as i read this and nearly spit it across my keyboard. F'ing hilarious. But my main point here is, WTF is a Dragonkin?!?!

Some people are just plain ridiculous lol. I'm about to look this up. But I've literally been in internet based arguments with people who claim to be werewolves. It always dissolves into "Well i effed your mom last night" or something very similar and equally childish (you know you've won an argument when your mom gets drug into it imo) when they are completely destroyed using simple logic.

a reply to: Bundy

WTF is a Dragonkin?!?!

I hope you didn't Google it. I'm still recovering. Basically they think they're dragons.

originally posted by: olaru12
I wonder why so many men have their masculinity threatened by extreme feminists? Seems pointless and retarded.
If you are secure in your own sexuality; this shouldn't even be a consideration.

that is irrelivant to the problems most people have with feminism.

originally posted by: Domo1
a reply to: Bundy

WTF is a Dragonkin?!?!

I hope you didn't Google it. I'm still recovering. Basically they think they're dragons.

It's bad that I didn't have to look it up. There is some seriously strange stuff out there (says this boondocks country girl that lives 15 minutes away from where I was born and will probably die here as well).

I think I blushed for weeks when I found out what furries were.... and I don't blush.

The dictionary definition for feminism is "the doctrine advocating social and political rights for women equal to those of men". Assuming you are not against this, a more accurate title for your post would have been "I've. Had. It. With. Extremism."

Sal

a reply to: KaDeCo

a reply to: SallieSunshine

Dear Sir or Madam,

Thank you for looking up in the dictionary a definition of a word in the most patronizing way possible. In reflection it is obvious you have not read any of the following discussion beyond the headline. Headline browsing (while self-admittedly is something I do often) in this case was not something that could be applied to this situation. If you've read my previous posts you'd understand I say what I meant about feminism. This is because the extreme fringe movement ( which I can only assume is what you mean by extremism) has become main-stream and acceptable. Political correctness has annihilated any resemblance to what you quoted.

extremism
noun
1.
a tendency or disposition to go to extremes or an instance of going to extremes, especially in political matters:

Were feminist organizations, charities, representations, and reported stories more in line with the accepted Oxford definition - I would have no problem. However as you see the definition of extremism (provided above for your convenience) is in fact the reflection of the 'moderate feminism' or 'feminism' I discuss (and is discussed by others) in every single subsequent posts. Previous posts have links provided in text that support this via psychological studies, news articles, etc.

So I do mean what I say. I've had it with feminism.

Thank you again for your note.
Sincerely
- OP