(no subject)

[tanaise]

I figured it out. I figured out why I always feel that people identifying themselves as 'humanists' when they say they're not feminists pisses me off. Usually I get cranky trying to explain it, which probably means I shouldn't explain it that way, but I figured it out, I think. Basically, it annoys me because it seems to take the fact that women aren't treated equally out of the issue. It feels like a PC thing, and I don't want it to be PC, I want people to pay attention to the fact that women don't make as much, that places still treat them differently, and that despite 30 years of 'feminism' there are still way too many things that will need to be done so that women aren't treated like second class citizens. It's like arguing with people about gay rights, when they insist gays shouldn't get special treatment, and you want to grab them by the throat and shake them because it's not special rights, it's the same damn rights as everyone else. It's like the guy I went to a talk by, who used to be a spokesperson for a hate group. and he'd say they'd always explain it by saying, "well, it's not that we *hate* other groups of people, it's that we love our group so much."

Comments

[two-star.livejournal.com]

See, the problem I have with "humanist" is that I don't think human beings should get special treatment. The oppression of AIs is going to be a big problem if we don't nip anti AI prejudice in the bud.

[phantom_wolfboy]

Well said! I may have to quote you some day.

Also, Humanist already has a meaning. Not that it doesn't include feminist issues, but it's not just the idea that all humans should be treated equally.

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

Excellently put, both of you.

[silme.livejournal.com]

I've used the term humanist occasionally, but I still say I'm a feminist. And have been all my life. And will be for the rest of it.

I'm even rejoining NOW even though I live in England. I figure they need all the help they cam get. I'm a little ticked off at NARAL since their donation website is only configured for North Americans. I've written them about that -- telling them they're cutting off a number of overseas donations, particularly from ex-pats.

There have been more than 30 years of feminism. Unfortunately, we still have to fight. And we shall. Just as we will continue to fight for other causes -- anti-war, pro-gay rights, etc.

[crowyhead.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I've been trying to figure out how to respond to people who give me the "I'm not a feminist, I'm a humanist" line... Because it makes me cranky, but I could never articulate it.

[teapot-farm.livejournal.com]

What they said, plus it often means that the person has bought the media image of hairy man-biting feminists so is trying to disassociate themself ("See, I'm not a feminist, I want rights for *everyone*!"), and that they haven't realised that feminism does, in fact, involve rethinking the male role in a positive way as well as the female role - and it's often the ones that think everyone's equal already, or that want recognition for men's "oppression" as well. Which, I agree that there are inequalities that favour women in some areas (child custody being the most obvious one), but they are generally the exception rather than the rule.