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From: inc@fluke.UUCP (Gary Benson)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: net.men
Message-ID: <172@tpvax.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Jan-84 13:55:58 EST
Article-I.D.: tpvax.172
Posted: Wed Jan 18 13:55:58 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 23-Jan-84 04:29:35 EST
References: <1658@utcsstat.UUCP> <1659@utcsstat.UUCP>
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Everett, Wash
Lines: 50

Let's hear it for Laura!

I'd like to relate an experience that I had back around 1970, when the
"Women's Movement" was just starting to get off the ground:

I was living with a my spouse equivalent in a house with 4 other people
(no other couples). There were 2 other men and 2 other women. Well, one of
the women got involved in starting up a women's group, and I was
fascinated when she informed the house at dinner one evening that it was
her turn to have the meeting, and that she desired the men to disappear
for the evening. I didn't immediately object, however, because I wanted to
sort out how I really felt, and also wanted to discuss it with my
"roommate".

As the day approached, I became more and more certain that I was insulted
by being asked to leave my home (in the middle of a Wisconsin winter, no
less) so that a "consciousness-raising" group could hold a meeting. I
finally told her so, saying, "Now look here, Nancy, I really don't see why
I should leave the house. I live here; all my activities that occur here
are open, and if your group can't understand that, I would suggest that
they hold there meeting someplace where people won't be insulted if they
are asked to leave."

She argued that the purpose of the meetings was to discuss topics of
little interest to me, that the other men had agreed, and that by
insisting on staying, I was just being a troublemaker. Well, we went
around and around for the last several days before the meeting, and one
time I volunteered to serve cookies and tea if she'd let me stay. I knew
she would react as she did, and that's why I said it. She was incensed!
She didn't speak to me again, but made it clear that if I stayed, I'd be
in big trouble. 

I did leave, but it has left me with a wierd feeling. I am interested in
what women have to say to each other, and I respect their right to do so.
However, the network is a *public* forum, and I will not leave, nor
promise not to submit this male's view when I feel I can contribute. Given
the second chance at 1970, I would steadfastly refuse to leave my home for
the simple reason that what happens in my house is my business; if you
choose to live there, you'll have to put up with me.

Enough. Please send all flames direct to me. I have no desire to clutter
this newsgroup with an unending debate.

!fluke!inc


-- 
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Gary Benson
John Fluke Mfg. Co.
Everett, WA, USA