Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!aero-c!nadel From: nriley@bootes.unm.edu Newsgroups: soc.feminism Subject: Re: Whatever happened to society? Message-ID: <1991Apr4.154306.27127@aero.org> Date: 4 Apr 91 08:00:00 GMT References: <1991Mar28.032525.5260@ora.com> Sender: news@aero.org Organization: University of New Mexico Lines: 41 Approved: nadel@aerospace.aero.org Originator: nadel@aerospace.aero.org Article <1991Mar28.032525.5260@ora.com> (Jeanette Dravk) responds to (Jim Showalter): >>What exactly is "involuntary, nonmalicious, habitual sexism"? Is it >>the mere existence of men in the classroom? What precisely did the men >>do to keep the women down? Could it be that the women kept THEMSELVES >>down, and that the men are actually blameless? >....... Do you really think women CHOOSE to be oppressed? Yes, there ARE some women who choose to be oppressed. They are the women of this society who fully recognize sexism, have all the capabilities for changing their situation, but for some reason do NOTHING about it. >>Women will not achieve true equality until they can do so without >>crutches. ^^^^^^^^^^ >Oh boy! More "handicapped" language. It's so simple, isn't it? All >we have to do is "choose" not to be oppressed and magically it all >disappears! Look, there are men in society who use the same crutches that some women do; he's not implying that women NEED these crutches. That's the irony of it all. Why do some women use them? I agree with your urgency in examining society. But it is also extremely important to examine ourselves as individuals, since we are part of this society. And, as a woman, I will take on Showalter's challenge of self-reflection whole-heartedly. He has a good point. To what extent am I a part of sexism? I don't feel that women are puppets of society. Ultimately, we CHOOSE what to do or what not to do. So, CHOOSING not to be oppressed is a big step. No, it won't "magically" solve the problems, but it is a crucial step. Nat Riley O. (nriley@bootes.unm.edu) "Many other women have kicked higher, balanced longer, or turned faster. These are poor substitutes for passion" Agnes DeMille