Politics Shmolitics

Yesterday, as part of my ongoing project of publishing the new issue of Women Writers (did I mention you should go look over there?) I was talking with Feministe's "owner" about feminism. Part of the questions I asked her was how often she gets backlash from her very vocal feminism on her site. She said, "you want examples? Go look at the comments on this guy's blog" (I'm paraphrasing-- she was a little more upset than that). The guy who owns the blog is perfectly logical in his defense of his position-- and that's the point of debate, dear reader. If everyone shared the same opinions, then the world would be a boring old place.

But, as I went to look at the comments, I found what scares me over and over about creepy anti-feminists. It all stemmed from an article written about an article about where the women who were interested in politics were, as far as bloggers go. It was absolutely bone-chilling the way one particular commenter (by the name of Stephen) was nasty, insulting, and just plain rude. And I was sort of sad that while other commenters tried to put Stephen in his place, (to which he just lobbed more irrational, histrionic & petty comments back) the owner of the blog never stopped good Old Stephen. It was all personal attack, no logic, no reasons, no facts. In claiming that feminism equals Naziism, he didn't give a particular example of anything feminism has done which is similar to the Nazis. But it's a favorite trick for people to pull out because it's a hard one to defend oneself against even if you care to try. Yes, there are some very radical feminists who have some, shall we say, extreme views on their own superiority. But feminism is NOT about women proving they are superior, and many in the feminist movement have, in the past, present, and future, fought over a certain hijacking of the word/term "feminist" for views which are not so much about equality and fairness and a perspective of the world based on gender awareness but which are just petty, mean excuses to lord oneself over others.

So anyway. The point. There is a reason, which I've discussed before, why this blog is not usually political. I do most of my politics over there at women writers; and it's mostly polite, nicey nicey feminism with an occasional fracas about, say abortion rights. (Wherein I have to delete spammers from my bulletin board who have completely missed the point that it is MY space, and I don't have to actually listen to their opinions there). But this blog is mostly my daily thoughts. Yes, I am more of a journaler, and I am frankly uninterested in most political blogs. (Feministe is an exception because I appreciate Lauren's take on issues). Many political blogs are exactly what good Old Stephen, with his nasty remarks and superiority complex (perhaps making up for some deficiency in his, shall we say, phallogocentrism?) represents. And they're often just collections of "hey, look at this article" and "let's make a brief comment on this link." It bores me. Andrew, on the other hand, would, if he were a blogger, probably do a political blog. But he would not tolerate rudeness, cause I'd smack him over the head for it. :)

Finally. Again, my point (took me long enough, right?) I am a feminist. A raging one. I don't believe I am superior to anyone else because of my gender, however. I do believe I am superior to assholes like Stephen because of my intellect, and my great hooters. :) And if someone like him wants to tangle with me, and/or "take back the world from my Nazi tactics" they better realize this. I am the woman who once wrote a paper titled "Feminists for the NRA." And I keep it loaded and am a damn good shot. Come and force me into a burka muthafucka. Just try it.