Sweeney, on 11 Apr 2014 - 10:51 PM, said:
This is the most comical post I have ever read in this section.
Well, no, it isn't. But I am fond of hyperbole.
Your interpretation of the etymology is completely incorrect. The -ism suffix is not derived in the same sense as racism or sexism, it does not denote bias to or against a group. It is morein the sense of atheism or alcolism - originally, feminism meant "the state of being feminine", much like "the state of being atheist". The shift towards being representative of the women's rights movement came later. But still, never has the word denoted, or been derived from, something meaning showing bias or favour toward women.
This clarification (which you are welcome to dispute, by the way, but I am not wrong) blows your second paragraph right out of the water. Your "sub-conscious" preferential treatment of women is not feminist. It's probably the opposite, indicative of the "nice guy" syndrome that pervades the internet. By putting women on a pedestal, you strip them of the depth of existence that they otherwise hold - you say you were raised not to treat women like objects, but your words indicate that that is exactly what you do.
The sharia law aspect of the deconstruction of female autonomy is one extreme aspect of the terrible things that women endure due to their lack of rights in such places. Being able to point to those abuses and say "well, we're better than that, at least", is one of the things that helps blind people like you to the insidious nature of internalised sexism in themselves and others.
You can't pride yourself on being humble. It's practically oxymoronic. The fact is that you do not know or understand or empathise with what women endure on a daily basis. You can't. You don't have a vagina (to take the potentially offensive and definitely simplistic view on gender for the sake of a soundbite).
And here we are, at the end of your post, where you reveal that you haven't read any of the posts by women in this thread. But by all means, feel free to jump in with your inexperienced male opinion and tell as all what to be thinking.
And then, when you have read some posts, you come back and tell @punkrockbigmouth that her opinion about her own luckiness is wrong. So no, I think you are the one who does not understand self-worth. I think you are the one who does not understand feminism. I think you have some learning to do.
Hahaha! Lol, @Sweeney Okay, so you obviously didn't even read the disclaimer at the TOP of my post. This is after all my opinion, you tell me I'm 'wrong', but, no, you are wrong (again, my 'opinion' I hope you understand the concept).
When you post blunt comments that take a jab at a person rather than their argument, it shows.
Yes, I lolled. Firstly, let me state, that I posted my opinion first, BEFORE I read everyone else's as I appreciate a pure opinion, not one swayed by others.
Absolutely, I'm proud about my humility. Totally an oxymoron. It's something that is true, however. I don't gloat about my humility. It's covert, it's something that pervades every aspect of my life. This is the only place that I will acknowledge it. I don't know about you, but I can look at myself in the third-person, I know what I am and who I am. An observation about a certain quality of my personality. That's all. Don't confuse humble with dogmatic (another preconception of yours that you've overlooked).
I'm adamant on my interpretation of the etymology. See my above post. And don't tell me I'm wrong here. I know I'm not. I won't educate you on the English Language, because frankly, I can't be bothered.
I can't even stress how much YOU DO NOT KNOW ME. You don't know how I treat women. So don't make ignorant assumptions.
I'd say around 70% of my close friends are female. I treat them with chivalry. Polite and courteous, as manly men do not. I'm the kind to hold a door open for anyone, but ALWAYS for a female. This does not strip them of their worth, by treating them with manners (sounds a little bit like an oxymoron to me, hey?) you give them respect. Respecting someone with daily kindnesses does not make me a victim of 'nice guy' syndrome.
(Thus, far you have discussed more about ME than the actual ISSUE, lol).
Being able to point to those abuses and say "well, we're better than that, at least", is one of the things that helps blind people like you to the insidious nature of internalised sexism in themselves and others.
So, like, when did I ever say this? Deciding that I'm blind doesn't help the issue.
And to clarify, I'm not blind at all hun. I'm not going to talk about how I level with this issue as it's none of your business. You're absolutely right, I don't have the body of a female, I don't know how degrading it is to be groped, victim of sexual abuse etc. But I know what lack of self-worth is and how to attain it. Don't you dare tell me that I fall short in this area, I know how dejection feels, and I don't welcome your assumption that I don't. My experiences qualify me on a level of understanding. Not an exact level, but nonetheless on the same page.
I empathise with everyone who has ever seen a wall in their life. My wall has been exceptionally high. And don't tell me it's not, because you'd be wrong.
I feel strongly about how people treat people - and you've so ignorantly missed this point.
your inexperienced male opinion
Here it is. Now this is where you completely miss what this forum is about. You've just decimated your entire argument and stance on feminism. But hey, I can't help you if you wish to contradict yourself.
Now I stated the tone in my post, so that people who jump the gun like you, don't misunderstand me. I welcomed debate, not an argument, and not an ATTACK.
You have spent your entire post talking about issues that you know nothing about (ie. my life), than the issue at hand. I don't understand how a person can blindly (oh, snap!) fall into such hypocrisy. Your attack on me dilutes and voids your argument.
My opinion. That's all.
I look forward to what you have to rebut. Hopefully, it'll be more about the issue and your own respected opinion, rather than about me.
Oh, mama, completely missed my point. Anyway.