thoughts on radical feminism – part 1
Radical Feminism is a term that has only fully hit my radar in recent weeks. Prior to that, I had vaguely assumed they were feminists who were radical, in that they were cool. Radical is cool, right? I thought they fought better, harder and deeper than the rest of us for equality. Actually, I don’t think I was completely wrong in that assumption, but what I didn’t realise was the depth and breadth of standardised radical feminist thought, much of which leaves me scratching my head.
This is a large topic with many fascinating areas, and I’m planning to dedicate a series of posts to look in more detail at a few that particularly interest me.
Much of what radical feminists see in society is obviously based on genuine experience, but I do think there is an underlying and incorrect assumption that their personal experience is universally applicable, and there seems to be a tendency to be blinkered to any other concerns. We are attracted to those who think like us, those with similar life experiences, but we must never fall into a flawed microcosm.
I’m not doing this in an attempt to tear radical feminism apart or heap scorn on those who identify with it. I’m hoping to draw parallels with other ideologies and encourage people to consider that while focusing on the issues of most importance to us, and indeed issues of great importance to humans generally, it’s more than useful to keep our eyes wide open to the rest of the world, and not get too hung up on blame and recrimination.
As someone who was sucked into Christianity for the first part of my life, I’m more than conscious of the dangers of blindly following set ideologies and closely monitored group think. I always feel particularly concerned when I see similar patterns emerging in secular thinking.
I heard that Susan Sarandon declared herself a non-radical feminist a couple of days ago by telling the world that she doesn’t vote with her vagina (she was expressing her support for Bernie Sanders).
I’ve seen vaginas smoke cigarettes but I’ve never seen one vote.
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I’ve not seen a vagina smoke a cigarette.
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SOM has led an interesting life. His comments are welcome rare gems of unusual insight and Christian charity.
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Thanks SOM, I hadn’t heard that.
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Looking forward to your take on it.
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What do you make of the rest of I Blame the Patriarchy? That “Shirley” post is lovely, of course, but the rest of it calls femininity oppressive, and shows how. Where are you on that?
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It’s a good find! She’s a great writer, incredibly witty and sharp. There’s a lot of terminology I’m not familiar with (oddly reminding me of Manosphere, which I’m sure must have started as a parody to these kinds of sites). I’ve got a train journey later today, so I’ll try and have a proper look round it. But, yes, my next post is likely to be on gender roles, inspired by some of the things I read there. The more I read, the more I’m seeing a mindset of a specific subculture that simply won’t widen its outlook. Maybe I’m particularly intrigued because I fully recognise I almost went down that path, and but for a few key interactions in life would be joining the choir full throttle!
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I look forward to reading your thoughts on this (new to me as well) subject, Violet.
The manosphere did not start as a parody of radical feminism, however, although some manospherians try to justify their misogyny by insisting, against evidence or reason, that it is a response to feminism (and they do like to invoke the spirits of radical feminists, most notably Dworkin, whose words they either cannot comprehend at all or hopelessly mangle to suit their agenda of misplaced grievances).
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Wow, it’s new to you too? I felt like I must be in a bubble to never had properly looked into it before. It’s slowly seeped through what it is from some of Roughseas posts, and the subsequent discussions with Arb.
I’m sure radical feminists are furious about the parallels with manosphere, but I’m afraid it screams out to me. Although they clearly have reality on their side, the herding paranoia seems equally as strong.
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I’m sure radical feminists are furious about the parallels with manosphere, but I’m afraid it screams out to me.
I’d say one can see parallels only in the superficial aspects.
It is kinda like saying that there are parallels between abolitionists and the slave owners fighting them. There may be such parallels in, say, the “fighting” behaviors involved or the structure of the movement and what not, but having — or not — reality (and justice) on one’s side is what makes them fundamentally different — and one correct, while the other not.
The herding paranoia is, sadly (?), inevitable in any and all revolutionary (or “revolutionary”) movements, i.e., those that criticize and seek to change the prevailing social order (beliefs, mores). You’re either with us or against us. (One reason I’d never make a good revolutionary; that, and not sharing my bathroom.)
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I’m looking forward to your series. I don’t know the radical feminists think that everyone has the same experiences as themselves so much is that a lot of women have the sorts of experiences they talk about. But I’m interested to see what you have to say.
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Thanks, I’ll be interested to read any thoughts you have!
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I heard the term before, but did not pay much attention. Then I started hearing it from MRA, so I automatically assumed that RF must be right, since if a manospherian criticizes something, that something is almost always correct and good, but still didn’t care to look into it. It is Arb who I can thank for introducing me to the sharp like a tack, spot on, and hilarious IBTP, as well as other sources.
I find RF brilliant in its political analysis of patriarchy and women’s oppression as a sex class. I have never heard these views articulated, certainly not with such consistency and clarity.
I may not agree with everything, but that analysis is eye-opening to me.
Among thing I find most problematic are the RF solutions, such as they are (revolution ? and subsequent genderless utopia ?), and the intolerance shown by some of them.
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