Wherein The Ocelot And Kenaz Filan Butt Heads And Depart From Reasoned Discourse.

So apparently, it's OK to call someone on transphobia, but not sexism. And thinking that just because feminists have made strides forward doesn't mean we're all comfy and can forget about that sexism thing makes one a "gender essentialist", even if one wasn't even assuming things about someone else's sex/gender identification. And if you don't say, "Why, yes, things are much better," then you'll get attacked.

Oh, and if you are one of two women who criticize someone who does, apparently, identify as a man for being sexist (as if women can't be sexist!), you can expect to get told that at least they weren't comparing Z Budapest to Hitler and if you can't explain why the patriarchy is still entrenched then you're a troll and told by their followers that women are trying to disempower men and need to shoulder responsibility.

Fine. The shoe doesn't fit, but I'll jam it on anyway.

If you won't tell people of color what their experience is or isn't when they call you on racist behavior, don't do it to women when they say you're being sexist.

If you won't tell gay/lesbian people what their experience is or isn't when they call you on homophobic behavior, don't do it to women when they say you're being sexist.

If you won't tell lower-income people what their experience is or isn't when they call you on classist behavior, don't do it to women when they say you're being sexist.

Asking a woman who says you're engaging in sexist behavior "why [do] you believe that 50+ years of efforts by several generations of feminists have been so fruitless and why the patriarchy remains so firmly entrenched despite all this work" and then use the phrase "wilfully obtuse" about her differing opinion is SEXISM. You're asking this woman (me, in this case) to educate you, and that's not my job. And I've even managed not to resort to insults. Or to point out that unless you're a lesbian separatist, you probably won't get the whole scoop on that movement today by quoting the New Yorker and New York Times.


Nor have I pointed out that when women try to gain equal rights with men, we're still accused of  "gender essentialism" or told  (by a commenter) that "women will have to step down several social notches and actually shoulder a little responsibility for society" - and all this is still acceptable. 


I criticized someone who identifies as a man, apparently, and basically got called a troll for my trouble. Hm. No wonder "I Blame The Patriarchy" still has those discussions about separatism. But I'm sure that isn't a good enough source for some.