Letters to the Editor
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Women and men should speak out against sexism
Maybe we need to study how to retrain misogynists. It doesn't seem to work like racism. Most people find it hard to be racist when they have lots of positive encounters with members of a given race. I don't think the same can be said about misogynists, and that leaves me questioning how to help these people change. That would probably make a good salon article.
Racism is more culturally unacceptable than sexism because of gender essentialism and the belief in gender roles. People can't decide if women should be socially equal because women give birth and take care of children and this still separates them as a class. There is racial essentialism too but fewer people believe in IQ disparities for example or believe that should separate races.
Too many women are apologists for sexism who don't speak out against sexism because of economic inequality or this belief in gender essentialism and roles. Women should always speak out against sexism but it is not convenient or easy. More men would then speak out and cultures would change.
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You're not very intelligent either, Tobbar
I didn't claim I was a victim. When people direct mean comments at me on the web, I don't cry about it and lock myself in my closet. I was simply making an observation about hypocrisy, of which you and Joan Walsh are guilty. That you are incapable of making a substantive reply to the points I raised in lieu of an ad hominem attack means I win the exchange.
If you want to discuss the issue like adults, I welcome that. I'm not surprised you couldn't grasp nuance and have to resort to the 'debating' tactics of a four-year-old.
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John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory
This reminds me of something I read at Penny Arcade:
Normal Person + Anonymity + Audience = Total Fuckwad
Misogynists, racists, and homophobes are usually cowards who seem "normal" in person and keep their hateful thoughts to themselves.
But they sure let their fuckwad flag fly on the Internet.
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sexism and homophobia
As a white heterosexual male, I can tell you exactly why blatant sexism and homophobia is expressed openly on the internet and in the workplace. It is because no white straight male PHYSICALLY fears a woman or a gay (for the most part). That is what it comes down to, in a nutshell. White straight men feel lots of negative things about blacks and Hispanics and express them to one another but they DO NOT express them in a situation where they might get their butts kicked. Or worse. Or they'll express them if they have a weapon. Unfortunately, it all comes down to the basics. Physical power rules the day. But if a woman or gay could carry a tape recorder and/or camera, and if hate speech was something you could be arrested for immediately with a call to 911, then things MIGHT change.
Chuck Davis
Greensboro NC
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yes, "beth in cary" i've noticed that
particularly irony (and who wants to put in some stupid ;) ) and that's not even mentioning tone of voice. by the way, halfway through your post i said to myself "that's a woman speaking" (in the BEST sense). i just wanted to acknowledge you on a very thoughtful post.
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An anonymous writer is sick of anonymous letters?
"Anonyomous letters are pointless...newspapers make you put your hometown with your real name, and they call you to make sure it's really you. There is no reason Salon shouldn't hold readers to at least that tiny standard. And as far as the hateful bile that passes for 'comments,' there are so many legitimate reasons to dislike people...if you're going to rely on sex, race or sexual preference, that's just being so lazy...but that is the American way.
-- Anonymous"
I am literally banging my head on a table right now due to the irony of this letter's existence.
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Anonymous
There are a rather large number of anonymous or clearly fictional names in this particular thread of comments. Most seem defensive about Joan's overall thesis or else are simply on the attack.
There can be little substantive discourse when people hide behind virtual masks and toss out nonconstructive comments. The decline of online civility and discourse is, in my experience, a major result of online anonymity in discussions.
I support the implementation of admin tools to ensure a standard of quality and civility in discourse. Salon is a private business and has every right to ensure that the quality of its content meets the expectations of members, investors, founders, and others. The rudeness and crudity that sometimes appears on these pages would not be tolerated in real life. Why should they be tolerated here?
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Dear Pleasethink
In reply to ALLIE, you said you know hundreds of women and know only one who has been raped.
Is it possible more were raped but you were never told?
I am now 59.
26 years ago in 1981 I was 34. I was separated. I went on a date w a man.
I had a traumatic experience. We had sex but it was not my idea or intention to have sex. I went on a dinner date and I was very very naive (I was not raised in the USA. I am also Asian). I thought this charming man simply wanted to pay me attention and be nice to me when he took me to his apartment.
After the incident I was traumatized. As a consequence several huge swollen patches (like hives) about half the size of my palm, developed on my legs from the sheer trauma. I had trouble breathing. Everything had a smokey-hazed appearance. I have never told a single soul.
Was this date rape? I don't know.
_________
This is a tangent to the main topic of violent emails to female writers, and therefore off topic. Apologies.
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It's sadly true
I was shocked and saddened by the Salon article "The private war of women soldiers" (http://salon.com/news/feature/2007/03/07/women_in_military/index.html).
Anyone who doubted the veracity of that reporting had only to read some of the responsive letters. Hatred for, and expressions of desire to commit violence against women soldiers in those letters substantiated the reporting.
It was also very telling that the letters confirmed that in those units where command made it clear that sexual abuse was not acceptable, it did not occur. And in those units where command ignored the issue, women soldiers lived under threat from their male comrades. Why doesn't Congress investigate this?
It's time we started a national conversation about why some men hate women, and worse, why they feel the need to act that hatred out.