Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
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Re: Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
#2So, basically, everyone that doesn't agree with her is just irrational, deluded, etc. The world horribly bad, oppressing, we're all sinners in need of salvation, etc., etc.
I'm tired of these rants. I'll gladly listen to you describing your experiences, but I don't accept your worldview, and I will not agree to describe myself as “misogynistic” or “racist” (not to mention “asshole”), just because I don't agree with you.
It's not that our current system is perfect, or that it can't be improved. But for every person that feels oppressed like the OP, there's a hundred that don't have to starve to death, ten others who can live and fulfill their dreams, five others who…
It's good to reflect on the fact that our human minds are predisposed towards prejudice and selfishness. Calling people nasty names because of those inborn traits is just silly.
Re: Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
#3yawn
I've seen a bunch of these now and frankly I don't see the point. Maybe we should all become Zen Bhuddist monks and subsist off happy thoughts alone lest we accidentally step on an ant and take a life?
I don't know exactly what needs to be done to fix these problems, but I know rants like this do absolutely nothing. You want to see what might make a difference, look at something like this: http://www.hackingplay.com/carnegie-mellon-study-on-gender-a...
Re: Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
#4The last thing we need is yet another article (albeit a fairly well-written one) about the problems faced in the abstract, with no solutions in sight. So I'm going to propose one thing you can do. Yes, you. If you see someone being an asshole, particularly if they're someone you know already, make them aware of what they're doing and why it's inappropriate. This works just as well for casual sexism as it does 'bully' attitudes in the workplace.
Seriously. Speak up. We as a community have a tendency to be passive-aggressive, talking in hushed tones about how X acted that night, or how we really wish that Y would stop making racist comments on team outings. In the words of a wise man, "Shut up and say something."
Re: Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
#5>You are a sexist, misoyngistic, homophobic, transphobic, classist, racist asshole. Oh, and possibly even a hypocrite.
>Sorry bro.
>Yes, I have slut-shamed, body-policed, name-called, bad-joked, appropriated, derailed, co-opted, silenced, objectified, stereotyped, trivialized, slurred, punished, isolated, insulted, benefited, and stayed silent with the worst of them.
I'm missing the overarching sarcasm, right? Surely the author cannot be blind to her own contradictions. This must be bait.
Re: Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
#6yawn I've seen a bunch of these now and frankly I don't see the point. Maybe we should all become Zen Bhuddist monks and subsist off happy thoughts alone lest we accidentally step on an ant and take a life? I don't know exactly what needs to be done to fix these problems, but I know rants like this do absolutely nothing. You want to see what might make a difference, look at something like this: http://www.hackingplay…
You might willingly step on an ant, but it's good not to be in denial about it.
Re: Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
#7Meh, this is just another diatribe that makes all sexism and racism as sin: a pernicious character flaw that can never be blotted out, but must be constantly atoned for. Ditch the hairshirts, they don't suit you.
This is particularly shitty, because they take systemic problems, like racism, sexism, environmentalism, and make them into personal responsibilities. See here:
http://jacobinmag.com/2013/07/revolutionizing-ethics/
No matter how much you atone, systemic sexism will prevail. If you want to change that, CHANGE THE SYSTEM. Introspection is good, but on its own, is just masterbation.
Re: Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
#8The last thing we need is yet another article (albeit a fairly well-written one) about the problems faced in the abstract, with no solutions in sight. So I'm going to propose one thing you can do. Yes, you. If you see someone being an asshole, particularly if they're someone you know already, make them aware of what they're doing and why it's inappropriate. This works just as well for casual sexism as it does 'bully'…
How is "speak up" less abstract than "just listen"? They're both good advice. But there are so many issues that you'll have to be abstract to describe them collectively. I think "just listen" is good advice because you have to know what kind of problems there are before you can even recognize someone being an asshole.
Re: Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
#9It's always important, when reading something like this, to realize how young the person who wrote it was, how emotional they were when they wrote it, and where they're coming from.
Often times people who write this kind of screed are writing more for themselves than for others, even if they don't know it.
Clearly there are other people who are curious who this woman is - her personal site appears to be completely hammered right now - but I don't think this distraction is particularly important except for the people here who are seeking distraction for distraction's sake.
Re: Finding Out You’re a Sexist, Misogynistic, Homophobic, Classist, Racist Asshole
#10The last thing we need is yet another article (albeit a fairly well-written one) about the problems faced in the abstract, with no solutions in sight. So I'm going to propose one thing you can do. Yes, you. If you see someone being an asshole, particularly if they're someone you know already, make them aware of what they're doing and why it's inappropriate. This works just as well for casual sexism as it does 'bully'…
How is "speak up" less abstract than "just listen"? They're both good advice. But there are so many issues that you'll have to be abstract to describe them collectively. I think "just listen" is good advice because you have to know what kind of problems there are before you can even recognize someone being an asshole.
"Just listen" can be helpful to identify problems, but here's the issue: we all already know of 99% of the problems! We just don't act on them. Social pressure is a powerful thing, and most of the time that's all it takes to correct issues.
"Speak up" isn't abstract, it's concrete: if you hear someone say something inappropriate, tell them. That's it. Simple as that.