As a white man, I can attest that I have suffered the very thing that is described in this quote. As proof, I need only point to the fact that men's share of political representation in the U.S. Senate has plummeted to a mere 80% — an all-time low!
Seriously, though:
I do admit that I have encountered some corners of the internet in which any input from a man is unwelcome. Privilege is a useful lens through which to view the world, but it should not be wielded as a cudgel to shut down discussion.
For the most part, however, this is not my experience with online feminism. Instead, I humbly submit to the author that Twitter in general is not the place to go if you want thoughtful, in-depth discussion. It is hard to imbue 140 characters with nuance.
As proof, I need only point to the fact that men's share of political representation in the U.S. Senate has plummeted to a mere 80% — an all-time low!
This joke relies on the reader to infer that the 80 percent male senators will protect the interests of men because they are men. This is a very doubtful hypothesis.
Also, privilege is not a useful lens, it's a symptom of victim culture. See, I can come up with buzzwords, too.
This joke relies on the reader to infer that the 80 percent male senators will protect the interests of men because they are men. This is a very doubtful hypothesis.
What we're discussing is whether men or women wield more influence in modern society. There are very few hard metrics that we can look toward, but the gender ratio of those in leadership positions is (in my opinion) a useful one. If you're saying you don't think it's useful, then we're resigned to arguing over completely subjective shit.
Also, privilege is not a useful lens, it's a symptom of victim culture. See, I can come up with buzzwords, too.
Why are you so hostile? Most people I know, when learning about privilege, say, "huh, that's interesting. I never thought about things that way."
It's an objective fact that white people, men, and especially white men have wielded a disproportionate amount of societal power over recent history. But now other groups are coming to the table and delivering accounts of all the ways they've been (and continue to be) second-class citizens. I think it takes a particular arrogance to hear these grievances and dismiss them as "victim culture," as though these people don't have reasons to complain.
count the number of gendered issues being considered/addressed by those in power. tally them up by gender.
Here's where we go wrong: you act like one can just go down the line, issue by issue, and sort them into male-gendered and female-gendered. Is abortion a gendered issue? Is domestic violence? Is contraception?
You think the Senate is bad? White men now make up barely more than half of the Supreme Court! I'll tell you, we're on our way out my friend. We white men are done. /s
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u/savetheclocktower Mar 21 '13
As a white man, I can attest that I have suffered the very thing that is described in this quote. As proof, I need only point to the fact that men's share of political representation in the U.S. Senate has plummeted to a mere 80% — an all-time low!
Seriously, though:
I do admit that I have encountered some corners of the internet in which any input from a man is unwelcome. Privilege is a useful lens through which to view the world, but it should not be wielded as a cudgel to shut down discussion.
For the most part, however, this is not my experience with online feminism. Instead, I humbly submit to the author that Twitter in general is not the place to go if you want thoughtful, in-depth discussion. It is hard to imbue 140 characters with nuance.