Wow...

These girls about 7-8 years old.

Word!

Sometimes the only thing I have the precious energy to do is re-post a link and send it out into my piece of the Blogosphere and hope it finds someone new.  This is such a time.

Schrodinger's Rapist

Also, please note that this is one of the rare instances where my terminal nerdiness and my feminism intersect, so I will be using the term Schrodinger's Rapist to describe this phenomenon.  Get excited.

I Write Letters

This is a letter I wrote in response to a letter to the editor   from my college newspaper.  Trigger Warning for mentions of rape and botched abortions.

Actual Conversation

Me: Is it sad that I set high goals for myself by watching Pokemon?  Like, my life will be a grand adventure!

Zac:  I dunno.  Is it sad that I learned to be a good person by watching Thundercats?

Me:  Well, I probably wouldn’t be a feminist if I didn’t watch Sailor Moon.  Isn’t it weird the paths we take?

Zac:  The Code of Thundera is my personal code of ethics!

Good for the goose is good enough!

In my time spent as a feminist I have noticed a disturbing trend.  Whenever something is brought up as a benefit to women (reproductive rights, equal pay for equal work, etc) we will try and frame it from an angle where it benefits a man.  Whenever we discuss rape or sexual assault, we try and be inclusive to the male experience.  Even feminist men are guilty of this particular trespass.  A friend of mine who shall remain nameless (you know who you are) was recently speaking to me about gay rights said something along the lines of “I’ve no problem with gay guys.  Whatever floats your boat, y’know?  And besides, more boobs for me!”

Classy.

Ok, let’s dissect this.  Firstly, way to ignore the lesbians in this equation.  Secondly, boobs are not for you.  Never, ever has a breast been created simply for your ownership. 

But what really hurts here is the idea that if something doesn’t benefit the (white, heterosexual) male, it’s not a worthy idea.  This isn’t a new phenomenon.  When we first struggled to get the vote it was often framed within the scene that this is a good thing for men, us women having the vote.  During the second wave we tried to frame equal pay as a benefit for the men in our lives, if not directly than indirectly from an economic standpoint.

Why must we continue to placate the men in the world?  Why can’t an idea that benefits women (51-53% of the population, never forget that) be enough?  If it’s a good idea, that’s damn well good enough for me!