Shanley Kane seems to embody the main issue that I have with what the feminist movement has become. My sister, a very vocal feminist, got her degree in sociology and enrolled in Teach For America for a two year stint. She's just shipped herself off to Vietnam to teach English a couple weeks ago, but I had a little conversation with her about things before she left. I brought up feminism, and she said, "Do you believe that men and women should be treated equally?". I responded, "Of course," to which she replied, "Well then you're a feminist!". I asserted that the movement has been somewhat (not entirely) hijacked by radicals, but she pointed out that such is true of most social movements. And... that's kind of how I see Shanley Kane, who, I admit, I'd never heard of prior to reading this article. For someone so familiar with PR, you'd think she'd realize that leaders of social movements would best be more humanist. And I don't really care who you are, if 50%+ of your tweets are complaints about anything and everything in your life, I'm not going to tune into that. I understand that she passionately crusades for a cause that is worth supporting, but the method in which she does it is just too off-putting. That was a really great article though, I found myself nodding in agreement as I reached the end. If anyone wants to tear me a new one, I'm totally down. P.S. I am a white male in my mid-twenties, and I will be the first to admit that being me is stupidly easy. And no, it's not fair.She described herself as someone who doesn’t like a lot of people, though she has a small circle of close friends and supporters she sees periodically.
I only have one exception to take and that is historical.
And I know it only because I am old. Feminism has never been less radical.
Feminists have never been more conciliatory and timid than they are today. I am just gunna throw that out there
Every right we have as women today had to be fought for. Not negotiated. I think people forget that.
And unfortunately many of those gains are being rolled back slowly. I was disheartened to learn yesterday that my home state (MI) has the fewest women in its legislature that it has had for two decades. No wonder we pass laws like the recent 'Rape Insurance' travesty. Our society seems all too content to let things like this take place (apathetic is probably more correct). This law enjoys almost no popular support among the electorate, but it's a law nonetheless because the radical right seems to care a lot more than the 90% of reasonable people who make up the population.
What people do not realize, I think, is that being nice doesn't work. Politely informing someone of the ways in which they are bigoted will literally do nothing. You will be ignored. I have far more sympathy towards angry activists than I do for their critics - and believe me, there are a lot of those.the main issue that I have with what the feminist movement has become.
A lot of people say this.
You're absolutely right, it's virtually impossible to find an objectively optimal balance of aggression and level-headedness. I admit that I am too easily annoyed, and even though I sympathize with the cause, it's difficult to find ways to be pro-active about it. Especially in Texas. Or maybe that gives me more opportunities? From everything I've seen, it's largely generational, and improving, but of course not at a fast enough rate. Maybe the best thing for me to do is continue to strive to exhibit equal treatment. I'm trying, but could always stand to try harder and be more mindful of the situation.
YES! I was just talking about this with my wife, about how people get so upset about so called "radical feminists". These feminists don't have a space to speak in most places. They do not get invited to speak about their issues, and get ignored if they ever do get the chance. So of course a disenfranchised group is being loud when they are ignored at every turn in every situation.
Sub low thirties for mid twenties, and you got me, too. I didn't read the article (yet), but as a general critique on anger, I have to agree with you. I want society to be better. I try to make it better. However, there are probably times when I'm inevitably part of the problem, although I may not be aware so. I takes a cool and calm voice to tell me why I'm wrong, and I'm all ears, even if I end up disagreeing. Everyone should be treated equally, but it's not always apparent to those in the power position when they're being abusive. If once observes an abuse or unfair treatment, and their reaction is essentially, 'You're an oppressive pig', then most oblivious oppressors will react in like manner (e.g., 'Shut up. I treat everyone the same, so quit your whining.'). It takes talent to point out injustice in a dispassionate, logical way. (The best example I've ever read in my life was this. It's brilliant and should be read by everybody.) To the wronged, it may seem obvious that they're being wronged. But it may not be so to the perpetrator. Educate rather then vilify; that's my position.P.S. I am a white male in my mid-twenties, and I will be the first to admit that being me is stupidly easy. And no, it's not fair.
If folks like Shanley Kane really wanted to fix the issues in tech with respect to women, they should shut the fuck up about how terrible it is to work in tech as a woman. Nothing equalizes that divide like having a looooot more women in tech. How far does one of these potentials have to google before they start reading how terrible it is working in our industry as a woman? And then they wonder why women aren't flocking to the industry, but as usual, it becomes the fault of men who have done no wrong other than to tell women like Shanley that they've never witnessed the sorts of behavior Shanely constantly bitches about. Terrible that. Having a different experience. That too must be the fault of the patriarchy... If Shanley ever wants to be taken seriously she and her ilk need to stop alienating the men who are basically on her side.
Hate to say it, but as a former English teacher who lived there, it's not a great country for feminism. I mean, I had girls say to me something along the lines of "I will be a good wife if you buy a nice house".She's just shipped herself off to Vietnam to teach English a couple weeks ago
Oh our whole family would agree with that statement, and my sister has a pretty good idea of what she's getting herself into. She's got a thing for overcoming adversity, and she's pretty good at it. I'm proud to be her kin. If anyone's interested, she's blogging about it.Hate to say it, but as a former English teacher who lived there, it's not a great country for feminism.