[hackerspaces] Hackers, feminism, and bullying

[Rhys Rhaven]

    /"Dudes, how about in 2013 if a bunch of women tell you something is
    fucked up for women, just like, believe them. Because you are a dude. "/

https://twitter.com/JustinMcElroy/status/291349696964857857

This is from a dude on another mailing list I'm on thats discussing this:

    Replace 'women' and 'dude' with any other pair of words and read
    that statement again.
    Try these:
    Atheists, how about in 2013 if a bunch of Christians tell you
    something is fucked up for Christians, just like, believe them.
    Because you are an atheist.
    Civilians, how about in 2013 if a bunch of governments tell you
    something is fucked up for government, just like, believe them.
    Because you are a civilian.
    Women, how about in 2013 if a bunch of dudes tell you something is
    fucked up for dudes, just like, believe them. Because you are a women.
    Yes I get the point its trying to make and I entirely 100% fucking
    agree with it, but its shitty way to say it.

This same mentality has led me to understanding that in any discussion
about women with women, I'm a horrible person (white male neckbeard) who
can never understand these problems and should just listen to whatever
women tell me is wrong with me.

I get it, I really do. I'm not on about how anyone is treating me, I'm
well aware of the power imbalance. I not asking for pity here, I know
women get a short end of the stick I and most men like me have no idea.
I'm just trying to impart a practical point.

Feminism is fighting against /ideas/ and patterns in society, among men,
women and institutions. If you go after people as your enemy (those all
male hackerspaces for instance) you're just one more biased in-group
struggling for the upper hand. Why would I listen if the new boss will
be the same as the old boss, but now tilted against me.

Someone who would really love not to work in an all male environment,
--
Rhys




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