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terry · 07-27-2003, 03:37 PM

Erica's statement that 'ALL MEN HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY' for their violence against women is problematic at best. It assumes guilt. Whether you label it gender bashing or female sexism or make some apology for it doesn't change the fact that this kind of thinking is unfair, demeaning and counterproductive. Shouldn't we expect more impartiality and fairness from a police officer?

Question: What 'guilt' does a man have who has not, either by an act of commission or by an act of omission, participated in any violence, harrassment, intimidation, discrimination or other ill treatment of women?

Moderate Answer: None.
Extremist Answer: There are no such men.

Indeed, there are some feminists out there that have no room in their ideology for a positive opinion of men. To the extent that this happens they could properly be labelled as 'extremists'. These people alienate the moderate men that would otherwise be their allies. You do not empower women to defend themselves by making ugly gender-bashing rhetoric.

Terry

"To pre-judge an individual based on the presumed characteristics of an entire group is the very essence of prejudice." --Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, writing in a majority opinion on racism, June 2003.

07-27-2003, 03:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
terry Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pacifica, CA USA Posts: 571 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Erica's statement that 'ALL MEN HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY' for their violence against women is problematic at best. It assumes guilt. Whether you label it gender bashing or female sexism or make some apology for it doesn't change the fact that this kind of thinking is unfair, demeaning and counterproductive. Shouldn't we expect more impartiality and fairness from a police officer? Question: What 'guilt' does a man have who has not, either by an act of commission or by an act of omission, participated in any violence, harrassment, intimidation, discrimination or other ill treatment of women? Moderate Answer: None. Extremist Answer: There are no such men. Indeed, there are some feminists out there that have no room in their ideology for a positive opinion of men. To the extent that this happens they could properly be labelled as 'extremists'. These people alienate the moderate men that would otherwise be their allies. You do not empower women to defend themselves by making ugly gender-bashing rhetoric. Terry "To pre-judge an individual based on the presumed characteristics of an entire group is the very essence of prejudice." --Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, writing in a majority opinion on racism, June 2003. Last edited by terry; 07-28-2003 at 09:55 PM.