How Every Discussion Goes...
The atheist community has a problem with women. Every time a woman has some complaint about how they're being treated at atheist gatherings, the following comments generally fall into one of these categories:
- Complaints about personal treatment by feminists.
- Complaints about details of ElevatorGate that don't have any bearing on the general problem.
- Complaints from men about the treatment of strong women who don't need any help standing up to men but somehow need help in standing up to fellow women.
Dammit! You don't represent all women so you can't make any generalizations at all!
(Of course, the entire Reason Rally consisted of generalizations of some sort. Those are okay.)- If I can't drunkenly proposition women in an elevator at 3am, then I just can't ever proposition women!
- And finally, I think we should objectively look at the risks and appropriate responses here. As a 6 foot tall straight white male, I have the best idea what those are!
Nobody squeals as loudly as someone having their unearned privilege threatened.
Tommy blathered on about something on Monday June 18 2012 @ 1:37pm
#5 could also be phrased: "If I can't run around with a camera on the end of a pole, positioned at my feet, pointing up, then I just can't take pictures!"
TeresaR blathered on about something on Tuesday June 19 2012 @ 11:25am
I think I chose my white male atheist friends wisely. :)
I also think that nobody can expect all atheists to behave in a certain (good) manner. There're jerks in every sector. Being atheist is no different than being religious or Chinese or gay. Atheists have it figured out about god, or the lack thereof, but that doesn't mean they're all better than any other segment of the population. I'm proud to be atheist despite those jerks just like I'm proud to be Chinese despite how China has been behaving in the past many decades.
You're right though: these sexist attitudes have to change.
Tommy blathered on about something on Tuesday June 19 2012 @ 11:47am
What boggles my mind is that white male atheists can easily see the privilege enjoyed by Christians and yet can remain blind to the race and sex based privileges they themselves (and I myself) enjoy.
TeresaR blathered on about something on Friday June 22 2012 @ 11:39am
I hate to quote the bible (especially since it makes this seem ironic), but it's that just like that saying about how people can see the splinter in others' eyes but can't see the log in one's own eyes. :}
And speaking of magical stuff - heh - I can read your blog on my Mac now...every time! Woohoo!
Tommy blathered on about something on Friday June 22 2012 @ 1:55pm
Hooray!
The Mote in God's Eye is an awesome novel, despite the title.
TeresaR blathered on about something on Saturday June 23 2012 @ 11:07am
Haven't read that one; will put it on my to-read list (which is only several miles long).
Speaking of wacky titles, have you ever read "Towing Jehovah"? Someone in my SF class recommended it but I've not read that one yet either.
Tommy blathered on about something on Saturday June 23 2012 @ 5:52pm
What? You haven't read it? It's a friggin' classic:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mote_in_God%27s_Eye
I might still have it in paperback around here somewhere. I re-purchased it as an eBook.
I've read Towing Jehovah. It's fun. Not particularly deep, despite it's intentions of being so.
TeresaR blathered on about something on Tuesday June 26 2012 @ 7:27am
Thanks for the link! It sounds like a terrific book. I put it on hold at the library (for when I get back from vacation). I need to read a whole lot more hard SF to get me up to speed for writing it. Just knowing some of the science is only half the battle. :}
One of these years, I'll get around to Towing Jehovah. That reminds me, I think I will close my PaperbackSwap account. I have a bag of books sitting around forever and it's starting to annoy me (not to mention it becoming a ladybug graveyard...ick). I get so few requests that I don't know if it's worth it to keep the house cluttered just so that I can occasionally request a book or two.
Tommy blathered on about something on Tuesday June 26 2012 @ 7:33am
I just finished Alastair Reynolds' latest, Blue Remembered Earth, last night.
It was good, but not great. His fairly recent The Prefect was awesomely good.
TeresaR blathered on about something on Wednesday June 27 2012 @ 2:33pm
Are you on Goodreads? I'd like to know what books you're reading and you'd probably write terrific reviews. Find me at goodreads.com/INwriter if you are.
Will put The Prefect on my to-read list. I loved his Galactic North collection of stories that you recommended.
Tommy blathered on about something on Wednesday June 27 2012 @ 2:36pm
I probably have a paper copy of it.
If I can find any of the above books, I'll send them your way.
Goodreads for writing reviews? But that's why I have a blog!
TeresaR blathered on about something on Thursday June 28 2012 @ 1:22pm
No, silly; Goodreads reviews is just one aspect of it. :) It's about sharing books and the love of books with a wider audience - friends, acquaintances, and total strangers! Authors host giveaways on GR (I won a book once). There are lots of other perks with being a member though I've not taken advantage of most of them.
