I could not hit reblog fast enough. Plus a wonderful quote from said article. Thank you giuliaalexis.
“Recently, I got into a Facebook discussion about how gender is not neutral for women. At some point, I commented that patriarchy wouldn’t exist if men didn’t want to control the bodies of women for reproduction – and this includes replacing female midwives almost completely with male doctors and male viewpoints of medicine. Of course, I was accused of being transphobic, of “cisplaining,” and of not understanding feminism (seriously). But what had me truly flabbergasted was one young woman’s comment that “your version” of feminism, that which focuses on reproduction, excludes not just transwomen but also women such as herself who aren’t reproducing.
I thought to myself, should I explain to this individual that this isn’t “my version” of feminism but the accepted reason for the existence of patriarchy, and not just by feminism – but also by sociology and anthropology? This wasn’t controversial until the rise of queer theory. Should I explain to her that I, too, have no intention of ever reproducing – but you cannot “not reproduce” yourself out of patriarchy? Reproductive rights also cover birth control, which means if we lose that right women such as myself and her may very well end up reproducing against our will. It’s the POTENTIAL of reproducing that brings ALL females under the umbrella of patriarchy. You get treated as second-class citizens under patriarchy whether or not you reproduce, menstruate, have a hysterectomy, etc.
This comment also reflects the bizarre new feminist belief that if a subject matter doesn’t cover every single person’s “lived reality,” it is exclusive. Liberal (and thus mainstream) feminism is trying to be so inclusive towards transwomen and so individualistic towards “empowerment’ and “agency” that it is paralyzed. Liberal feminism is trying so hard not to define women by their biology that feminists are ignoring the fact that women are DYING of their biology.
Mainstream feminism is incorrect in its belief that the purpose of feminism is to re-define the idea of woman as divorced from their biology. That was never the intention of feminism. The intention of feminism is that women not be LIMITED by their biology. Thus the quotes “I have a brain and a uterus and I use both” and “I can’t breed in captivity.” Feminism never meant to DENY the reality of female biology. Feminism means to change society’s PERCEPTION of females and female biology. The two are not the same thing.”
6 comments
May 14, 2017 at 9:08 am
roughseasinthemed
This is good.
What part of reproductive rights, economic rights, legal rights and the rest, do people not understand? Why do women have to fight for control of their own bodies? Men, have to do exactly that, when? Legally, clinically, and how often, are they sexually assaulted and raped by women?
When I saw the picture of xx old men signing papers to limit women’s health care, I nearly vomited. I wouldn’t wish my worst female enemy to live in America.
Reproductive freedom is fundamental to feminism. Although clearly not to patriarchal fundamentalists.
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May 14, 2017 at 9:26 am
The Arbourist
@ RSitM
If you haven’t gone over to giuliaalexis’s blog yet, I would highly recommend you do so. She writes with clarity and keen feminist perception on the issues facing women today.
The regressive nature of gender politics is being felt – the rollback of women’s rights is happening in the US as we speak.
Mainstream feminism in the US is paralyzed into inaction too worried about not being inclusive enough or individuated enough – essentially fiddling while Rome burns down around them. (Not to far behind in Canada, but at least there is some push-back to the neo liberal qu**r activism.)
A return to feminism that is focused on female issues and struggle is the only way out. The dudes and their handmaidens are demonstrating the desperate need for a retooling of what mainstream feminism is and does.
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May 14, 2017 at 2:08 pm
roughseasinthemed
I’ve been following ga for a while. Good writing.
Methinks it is up to us oldies to speak out about feminism, although, there are some good young ones, just few and far between.
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May 14, 2017 at 2:31 pm
lovetruthcourage
Speaking as someone who has traveled all over the world, including the UK and Canada, the situation in the UK and Canada is frankly no better than in the USA and we do have significant push back here.
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May 14, 2017 at 3:02 pm
The Arbourist
@LTC
I can only speak for Canada, but it at least seems like we’re doing a little better.
No abortion law, public health care and what not. It is most certainly not ideal, as no abortion allow is not the equivalent to access to reproductive health services.
But it doesn’t seem quite as ‘open season’ on women and their rights up here as it is in the US.
Being Canadian, we are most likely politely sexist and patriarchal… :/
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May 14, 2017 at 3:13 pm
lovetruthcourage
What “abortion law” are you referring to? In the USA, Roe v Wade (legalized abortion) is the law of the land and has been since 1973. I do agree that the USA needs single-payer, definitely. However, the poor usually get subsidized abortions in the USA. In fact, they are getting these subsidized abortions 1 mile (1.6 km) from my house. “Open season” is very much in effect in Canada. Just look at your “gender identity” laws. Canada is really not very different than the USA in many gender equality metrics.
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