But that’s because they’ve shown themselves to be strong allies first, with an interest in justice for women and an end to rape culture. And because they’ve shown that they respect the rights of women to discuss their own experiences, and yes, to get emotional. They’ve shown that they don’t think that speaking about their own experiences and how — wow! — the issue of rape brings up emotions for women doesn’t make them irrational.

They don’t march onto a feminist blog and say something to the effect of “sure that guy’s a jackass, but don’t you think that you could be a bit more rational when discussing rape, anyway? Getting all emotional is just hurting your cause to get people to realize that something like rape matters.”

You’d be wrong if you’re a woman, Jambo. But in this case, you’re extra wrong because you’re a man, just like I would be extra wrong for telling a person of color that they should be less emotional when discussing the case of Oscar Grant, because what good is it to let your feelings get in the way of talking about how a black man was murdered in cold blood by white police officers? I would, in fact, be a complete and total asshat who deserves to get my ass banned at the very first comment, and who should thank my lucky stars if I am not.

You know, rather than just telling me I can’t tell you things because I identify as a man, you could just tell me why you think I’m wrong.

As pertains to the law of this blog: Why am I so much more deserving of reprimand/ban threat than somebody like Betty up here? She’s up here comparing all men to White Supremacists while I’m not properly knowing in advance your stance on the destabilization of sex/gender binaries. Anyways, she’s doing far more to undermine your cause than I am or ever will.

I view it as transphobic because you throw out the term “sex change” (NOT the preferred term at all) as though having one would make you a woman. Having an operation does not make you a woman. Being, living and identifying as a woman makes you a woman. Transwomen who have gender reaffirmation surgery were women long before they went under the knife. Women who choose to not have the surgery are still women. And you’re trivializing that.

So I don’t care whether or not you’re “trying” to “hate” on trans individuals. I care about whether or not you are minimizing and reducing their experiences to tropes about what does and does not make you a “real” woman or man based on cisgender privilege.

Really? You really think that “man-woman/white supremacists-person of color” is a proper analogy? Like I said before, this is why men (and women) are driven away from feminism. Luckily, I’ve read a little Judith Butler, Donna Harraway, etc. and I realize not all feminists will compare me to a white supremacist.

Cara:

I don’t see how mentioning the existence of sex change operations to make a point makes me transphobic. Read: I’m not trying to hate on trans individuals.

Look, I know you’re both used to dealing with some real assholes, but it might be worth your while to admit that a creature with a penis can disagree with you without having some secret Patriarchal agenda. And I think your hyper-PC ban threats are over the top and counterproductive.

Are white supremacists the best people to talk to about combating racism?

“Are you mocking the idea that certain untruthful “Feminist” rhetoric might turn people away from Feminism?”

No, I’m mocking clueless, privileged “boys” who think that THEY get to make this decision. Your opinion on what is true or untrue is completely useless as you have privilege and, consequently, no fucking clue what you’re talking about.

“Since when is the goal of Feminism to turn people away from Feminism?”

Since when is the goal of Feminism to cater to every misogynstic dipshit who ambles by?

Hmmm. So, what if I got a sex change?

Jambo, you are on thin, thin ice. Already. If you say one more thing that could be even remotely construed as transphobic — like this comment above which mocks the very serious issue of transition — you are banned. Period. Not up for discussion. At all.

Are you mocking the idea that certain untruthful “Feminist” rhetoric might turn people away from Feminism? How is this not obviously counter to your goals? Since when is the goal of Feminism to turn people away from Feminism?

On the other hand though, the rhetoric you’re using, Jet, is what turns people away from feminism.

*sniffles*

Plus, there’s a kernel of truth to what he’s saying. Isn’t there something to be said for dispassionate analysis?

Sometimes. There’s never anything to be said for men telling women that they should be more dispassionate and more constructive when it comes to issues like rape, which affects women extremely disproportionately, and images that mock rape towards women. Ever. Which is, you know what you’re doing.

Well, you know, this might be the case when assholes are deploying this rhetorical device, and this guy probably is an asshole (the kitchen comment is pretty retarded). On the other hand though, the rhetoric you’re using, Jet, is what turns people away from feminism. Just because a man disagrees with you doesn’t mean he necessarily just wants you to shut up and give him a blow job. And you’re sabotaging yourself if you decide to completely disavow “being constructive” simply because some dick told you you should be constructive whilst making some shitty joke about women in the kitchen. Plus, there’s a kernel of truth to what he’s saying. Isn’t there something to be said for dispassionate analysis? We’re all supposed to be constantly outraged today. The systems of oppression in place are sustained by a continuous stream of fake outrage and indignation emanating from conventional liberals.