Sexism from “the left”: why it has to stop

[Starry Messenger]

Wonderfully articulated blog post.

http://stavvers.wordpress.com/2013/02/19/sexism-from-the-left-why-it-has-to-stop/

<snip>

Sexism on the left comes in forms as diverse as the beliefs of those who are lumped under the umbrella term of “the left”. The most overt form, perhaps, is outright sexist language (bitch, etc), and rape apologism (e.g. George Galloway, the SWP), but that’s the tip of a very sexist iceberg. Among the liberals, it often comes as a backlash against calling out sexism and pleas for unity. For some, sexism is a problem to be solved later, and we should, at present, fight the perceived “real enemy”. Then there’s the manarchists, swinging their dicks as they ignore their female comrades. There’s also those who can say all of the right words, and then their behaviour doesn’t match up at all, and they will defend their behaviour using theory that they learned and are apparently incapable of applying to themselves. Others still think that they’re doing more than enough already to combat sexism. Then there’s the ones who insist that intersectionality is somehow equivalent to identity politics, proving that they are ignorant about what at least one of these things is. This is hardly an exhaustive list. Left sexism manifests in so many ways.

It all has one thing in common: that self-assurance that they are completely right which comes with male privilege.

<snip>

This is exacerbated, at least in part, by a prevalent belief that everything is a matter for debate. This debate ought to be held cordially and civilly, ending with either agreement, or at least by politely agreeing to disagree. For the privileged, it is perfectly easy to view oppressions as a sort of intellectual game and little more than a topic to agree to disagree on. For those who experience these oppressions, it’s not that simple and it’s not a fucking game. And so we’re branded as over-emotional about things which we don’t have the luxury of turning off our emotions on. It’s a thing we face every day, and its very existence is being denied and defended by those who claim to be on our side.

<snip>

Men on the left, try to be better. Feminist struggle is not an add-on to class struggle, and sexism is not a small problem, because all of this is intimately connected. If your revolution is one-dimensional, I want no part in it. Be open to being wrong, and be open to being corrected. It will strengthen us, not weaken us. Be reflective and thoughtful, acknowledge and abolish your own blind spots.

<snip>

[DonCoquixote]

1. I can see this, however

One thing that i tolerated in 2008, that i will NOT in 2016.

If I object to a female politician, do not accuse me of being sexist, especially when said woman is coming from the right.

[Starry Messenger]

3. I have never seen anyone accuse someone of being sexist for objecting to a female politician

right-wing or left.

What I have seen people object to is using their gender as a basis for attack, which is uncalled for and bigoted.

I'm always happy to see Sally Kern called out as a homophobic swine. But there is no need for descriptions, for example: "hag, b1tch, dried out (fill in blank)." If one uses them, one might correctly be called out for sexist language.

[DonCoquixote]

5. sorry to say, I have

I gave up a site called the smirking chimp, which at one point, was as big as DU. The line was everyone who was against Hillary was a sexist young swine. I have already said what i felt about Hillary in my journal, but you will not find sexism.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. "...backlash against calling out sexism and pleas for unity."

That's how it feels on DU some days. It's as if pointing out sexism is some violation of the left code or something.

[Starry Messenger]

4. I've seen it on other blogs and sites too.

Sexism is considered a side issue that will "tear the group apart" or be "distracting" in the process of the project the group is engaged in.

[TBF]

12. This. We can walk and chew gum at the same time -

and sexism (not to mention other forms of bigotry) are not going to suddenly disappear even if there is a revolution and the economics are much more equitable. It's much deeper than that and most who are not white males realize it.

[obamanut2012]

6. +1

[sufrommich]

7. This has been going on since at least the 1960s.

Great article.

[Jasana]

8. Sadly they need know what sexisn is...

not too mention what feminism is. I guess we'll have to keep teaching them through GD. An award for through who keep teaching through GD. To those lades I say: "you've got a lot of ovaries."

[get the red out]

9. I have "issues"

I just got this treatment, argue passionately about a women's rights issue and get told you have "anger issues". Hell yea, in a world that treats us like that, sure I do.

[MadrasT]

10. I have "issues" too.

Chief among them, that *more* people aren't angry.

As far as I am concerned, if you aren't angry, you're aren't paying attention.

[libodem]

11. I read the original

And had to to look up 'cis' woman. Because she is the most cis woman on the planet. Who knew?