Hey folks, I thought I would write this here to recognize the support shown as of late. I appreciate the kind words and thoughtful arguments, as well the buttkicking applied when I’m wrong. :)
Progressive Bloggers
Your opinions…
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25 comments
February 13, 2016 at 8:45 am
carmen
I’m sure the word ‘sycophant’ will be levelled in a discussion soon to follow . . . :)
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February 13, 2016 at 8:49 am
The Arbourist
@carmen
Oh probably. :>
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February 13, 2016 at 9:03 am
john zande
What is all this (Violet’s post) about?
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February 13, 2016 at 9:03 am
roughseasinthemed
Been there, done that, T-shirt etc.
There is nothing wrong with disagreement about ideas, but … that you are a man! Advocating radfeminism! Tut tut tut.
From the blogger who said:
Unless it’s Arb …
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February 13, 2016 at 9:04 am
roughseasinthemed
@ Carmen
That was the exact word that came to mind when I thought about commenting. I could just envisage the reply. Best to let the men do it ;)
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February 13, 2016 at 9:09 am
The Arbourist
@JZ
Your spirited defense of my character on that thread was heartening. Thank you for that. :)
I wanted to acknowledge your words, but not there because of the hostile nature of the thread.
That post over there is mostly about character assassination I think.
It stems back to a previous post in which I supported the right of females to set their boundaries.
It has been a witchhunt ever since. :)
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February 13, 2016 at 9:12 am
The Arbourist
@RSitM
My notoriety proceeds me apparently. :)
Advocating radical feminism, the sub-set that gets shit done (historically and otherwise), is never an easy sell.
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February 13, 2016 at 9:13 am
john zande
Seems so out of character for Violet. Anyway, deep breaths, count back from ten… :)
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February 13, 2016 at 9:16 am
The Arbourist
@JZ
It is hard to control an post when you’re arguing about someone’s character, rather than their arguments.
C’est la vie. :)
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February 13, 2016 at 9:21 am
roughseasinthemed
Advocating radical anything is never easy. Whatever political issue. But I agree, it is what does influence change.
I enjoy your posts, I enjoy what you share, and what I learn. I now follow some good blogs thanks to you.
I would have been the first to call you out if you’d said ‘Hey guys’. But you didn’t.
Bottom line. You do good work.
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February 13, 2016 at 9:37 am
makagutu
Do I kick enough butt? If not, don’t worry, I was cleaning my boots and will get to you shortly
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February 13, 2016 at 9:38 am
The Arbourist
@makagutu
Promises, promises. :)
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February 13, 2016 at 10:28 am
Emma
I am thankful for what you do. I find you insightful, thoughtful, and exceedingly patient and polite.
And now that I’ve discovered your Red Pen of Justice, also very funny. (If only I knew about your blog a few years ago… It would have saved me quite a bit of MRA-related grief. Sigh.)
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February 13, 2016 at 10:49 am
The Arbourist
@Emma
Thank you Emma. I’m glad to that you’ve joined the community here at DWR.
The conditions to set the RPOJ wiggling are quite exacting, but there is little I can do once it starts. :>
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February 13, 2016 at 11:06 am
N℮üґ☼N☮☂℮ṧ
I was deeply disappointed by that post, Arb, and quite frankly, stunned. It appeared to be an attempt to shoot the messenger. I, too, enjoy your posts as well as your informative comments on other blogs. :)
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February 13, 2016 at 11:21 am
Emma
Yes, I’ve noticed. ;)
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February 13, 2016 at 12:09 pm
The Arbourist
@NN
Thanks for dropping by NN, I enjoy your posts as well. Thanks for the support. :)
Could have been worse. It is all rather confusing to be honest. There is nothing mysterious about radical feminist theory, the books and theory are out there and the analysis and challenges laid out deal with the root problems of society.
I’m still waiting to understand and be shown what the prescription of *moar* equality is going to do to bring down the patriarchal norms that diminish and oppress women.
*shrugs* – Not my responsibility. :)
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February 13, 2016 at 11:19 pm
makagutu
They may come true someday
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February 14, 2016 at 3:03 am
violetwisp
“It is hard to control an post when you’re arguing about someone’s character, rather than their arguments.”
Was it about your character? It was about unconsciously profiling people and how unconscious bias affects our responses to people. It was a criticism of myself in that aspect – I’m not impressed I made those assumptions and less impressed that they matter in my reaction to what you say.
And it was also a criticism of your belief that anything relating to women outweighs concerns about other people. I simply can’t accept that feminism is the only matter of concern in the world. You never finished that discussion, and I didn’t see any defense of your beliefs about excluding trans people. It almost feels like you know you will lose your fan base if you say what you really think on this issue.
Anyway, I obviously framed the discussion inappropriately, given the responses you have from people here, and I apologise if I hurt your feelings.
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February 14, 2016 at 8:52 am
The Arbourist
@VW
Hey VW.
How it read, it certainly seemed as much. Perhaps not intentionally, but as the conversation carried on, it seemed like there were a few axes you wished to grind, and commenced to do so.
When I do my advocacy of feminism as an ally, I do so from the radical feminist perspective. This perspective is based on the idea that women need to be emancipated from…blah blah blah… you’ve heard that before and know it by now. What RF does is centre the needs of women in its analysis and ideology.
I absolutely agree with you. But those other concerns, at least from a RF perspective don’t centre around women, and thus are periphery to what RF is about – that is women and their struggle to be free from patriarchy.
This is where the witchhunt-y part comes in, it is the identity politics purity test that gets people sorted and selected into the categories of TERF and ‘transphobic’, etc. As a RF ally, my concerns when advocating feminism centre on women, specifically the class of women who have been oppressed since we moved out of the hunter/gatherer phase of human social evolution. That is what is important in my analysis.
Engaging in the identity politics game, which much of what transactivism is, holds no interest for me as it moves away from the core of what RF is and what RF advocates for.
You do read my blog right? :) What I write, and select to re-post is almost always of the RF persuasion. Speaking from a minority position, I have as my base assumption, no expectation of a ‘fan base’. The shit I advocate for is unpopular, unwelcomed, and generally frowned upon in ‘proper’ society. If I’m not getting flak, I’m probably doing something wrong.
Advocating for anything radical, by default, is not a popularity contest.
It seems important to you that I’m labelled appropriately, so those who do the identity politics thing will know who their enemy is and can select the appropriate shunning/vitriol/abuse methodology. Please do so at your leisure – but the facts of the matter remain the same – RF is about centreing women and their struggle, and for that I offer no apology.
Thank you VW. We’ve all had posts that go off not quite as planned, part of the blogging experience I suppose. :)
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February 15, 2016 at 1:16 pm
violetwisp
“As a RF ally, my concerns when advocating feminism centre on women, specifically the class of women who have been oppressed since we moved out of the hunter/gatherer phase of human social evolution. That is what is important in my analysis.”
I genuinely find this all interesting, as I know nothing of textbook feminism, or even much about the subgroups, beyond bits I’ve read here or on Roughseas. So does RF really place women above the rest of humanity? And if this is so, is it not because it identifies the subjugation of women as the cause of all inequalities? Surely the ultimate goal is that all individuals, regardless of any identifiable group traits, are treated well, have equal opportunities etc? And if my assumption is the case, surely that means we have to consider how other people, especially from equally or more oppressed minorities, are treated.
Let me know if you don’t want to have the conversation. It’s certainly something I’d like to explore further in a post.
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February 16, 2016 at 9:29 am
The Arbourist
@VW
A invaluable resource/insight can be found at the RadFem hub. There is a 4 part radfem primer that touches on many of the tenets of RF theory.
For in-depth RF analysis the Feminist Reprise Library is wonderful place to start.
bell hooks on Understanding Patriachy,a four page primer on what it is.
On the surface, this seems like a non-sequitur. How does the struggle for female emancipation place women above the rest of humanity?
Is this a definitional question? Should the movement known as ‘feminism’ be about anything else except the welfare and emancipation of females?
Pick a society, pick a time in history and look at the social hierarchy. In almost every iteration you will find women at the bottom of social pyramid.
Consider the vast loss to civilization because for reasons, we have decided that females are the inferior class and thus, for the most part, are barred from the institutions, positions and influence in society.
The systemic discrimination of females continues on today. How could it not be important to address the issues that effect roughly half the population of the earth?
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February 16, 2016 at 2:43 pm
violetwisp
Thanks for the links. From a quick read of the first one, I’m more concerned about RF than I thought I was. It seems to assign agency, intent, to (unfortunately) natural patterns in human development. I feel like that gets in the way of acknowledging where improvements can be made in society, as it seems to assign blame and is almost paranoid in outlook. But I’ll try not to judge till I’ve read them all …
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February 17, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Emma
@violetwisp:
It is interesting (really) how different your impression of the RF from the first link is from mine. I find the analysis brilliant.
And would like to thank you, Arb, for that link. Like IBTP, it’s been eye-opening for me.
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February 19, 2016 at 6:42 am
violetwisp
@Emma
I like to think of my blog as a good route for people to find blogging kindred spirits. Many people jump in with great enthusiasm, leave irritated, but at least as a result find buddies they’re more suited to. I think I should be worried that you’re part of the growing list!
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