Comments on: A Few Remarks On A Few Remarks http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/ Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:54:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Isez http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-103885 Isez Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:27:00 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-103885 BUST sucks. In response to "I like lipstick, thank you very much-" (no one's going to even read this because it's like two years later)... I like lipstick, thank you very much, but it's a making-one-of-several shitty-choices-knowing-they-all-suck way. Or.. I like lipstick because the places I go to purchase it are usually somewhat male-free and the people who want to talk about it are usually not only speaking to me because at some point they might be able to "bust one" on or in my personal premises. This is how I justify lipstick. Also, maybe others can relate: if you are automatically placed somewhere you don't want to be on the scale of Dude Nation's fuckable-hottiness, like nearways the top, there is shit that's going to happen anyway, like being ogled a lot, and so putting a little sugar on the carrot before you (unintentionally) dangle it (by walking down the street like some kind of free person) can add to the fuck-ya-asshole factor of paying no attention to the retards that can't stop staring if their lives depended on it. Whew. It's comfort s--t. I do it, but I think the substantial BUST difference is between knowing what it is one is doing, and pretending that patriarchal activity furthers the breakdown of the patriarchy. It f------g don't. I'm not saying I rock for wearing lipstick, but, you know... know your heart. And your choices. BUST sucks.

In response to “I like lipstick, thank you very much-” (no one’s going to even read this because it’s like two years later)…

I like lipstick, thank you very much, but it’s a making-one-of-several shitty-choices-knowing-they-all-suck way.

Or.. I like lipstick because the places I go to purchase it are usually somewhat male-free and the people who want to talk about it are usually not only speaking to me because at some point they might be able to “bust one” on or in my personal premises.

This is how I justify lipstick. Also, maybe others can relate: if you are automatically placed somewhere you don’t want to be on the scale of Dude Nation’s fuckable-hottiness, like nearways the top, there is shit that’s going to happen anyway, like being ogled a lot, and so putting a little sugar on the carrot before you (unintentionally) dangle it (by walking down the street like some kind of free person) can add to the fuck-ya-asshole factor of paying no attention to the retards that can’t stop staring if their lives depended on it. Whew.

It’s comfort s–t. I do it, but I think the substantial BUST difference is between knowing what it is one is doing, and pretending that patriarchal activity furthers the breakdown of the patriarchy. It f——g don’t. I’m not saying I rock for wearing lipstick, but, you know… know your heart. And your choices.

]]> By: We all have to examine our shit. But sometimes, the only thing that’s there is corn. at Kindly Póg Mo Thóin http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-87727 We all have to examine our shit. But sometimes, the only thing that’s there is corn. at Kindly Póg Mo Thóin Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:28:35 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-87727 [...] blowup happened. Short summary: Jill wrote a “quote of the day” post quoting Twisty about how the reason that so many women hang onto the trappings of femininity is that doing so is [...] […] blowup happened. Short summary: Jill wrote a “quote of the day” post quoting Twisty about how the reason that so many women hang onto the trappings of femininity is that doing so is […]

]]> By: 2007 September 08 archive at Kindly Póg Mo Thóin http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-87724 2007 September 08 archive at Kindly Póg Mo Thóin Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:25:56 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-87724 [...] blowup happened. Short summary: Jill wrote a “quote of the day” post quoting Twisty about how the reason that so many women hang onto the trappings of femininity is that doing so is [...] […] blowup happened. Short summary: Jill wrote a “quote of the day” post quoting Twisty about how the reason that so many women hang onto the trappings of femininity is that doing so is […]

]]> By: feminish » Another world is possible http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27589 feminish » Another world is possible Fri, 13 Oct 2006 15:26:11 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27589 [...] Like saying no when it’s easier to say yes. in the words of Twisty Faster [back]see Creative Destruction’s roundup of the Alas, a blog controversy [back]see this thread over at Happy Feminist [back] see zuzu and Jill at Feministe, a discussion inspired by this post from the wisest of Spinster Aunts [back] [...] […] Like saying no when it’s easier to say yes. in the words of Twisty Faster [back]see Creative Destruction’s roundup of the Alas, a blog controversy [back]see this thread over at Happy Feminist [back] see zuzu and Jill at Feministe, a discussion inspired by this post from the wisest of Spinster Aunts [back] […]

]]> By: The Debate Link http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27274 The Debate Link Fri, 06 Oct 2006 06:36:00 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27274 <strong>Pluralism Among The Survival Set...</strong> Twisty of the well-known "I Blame The Patriarchy" blog remarks on women who defend their enjoyment of certain patriarchal trappings (think Carleton's "Feminists for the use of mascara" group):... Pluralism Among The Survival Set…

Twisty of the well-known “I Blame The Patriarchy” blog remarks on women who defend their enjoyment of certain patriarchal trappings (think Carleton’s “Feminists for the use of mascara” group):…

]]> By: Feministe » Quote of the Day http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27264 Feministe » Quote of the Day Thu, 05 Oct 2006 21:59:14 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27264 [...] “Women are understandably reluctant to concede that their deep attachment to the trappings of patriarchy (marriage, femininity, gender, fashion, porn, religion, beauty, the nuclear family, pink tool kits, et al) is not the manifestation of empowered personal autonomy, but rather a survival skill.” -my favorite spinster aunt. [...] […] “Women are understandably reluctant to concede that their deep attachment to the trappings of patriarchy (marriage, femininity, gender, fashion, porn, religion, beauty, the nuclear family, pink tool kits, et al) is not the manifestation of empowered personal autonomy, but rather a survival skill.” -my favorite spinster aunt. […]

]]> By: Celebrity » Sly Civilian http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27223 Celebrity » Sly Civilian Tue, 03 Oct 2006 22:24:29 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27223 [...] Anyhow. Back to the substantive agenda for the day. There’s something I didn’t want to let pass. Twisty made the following remarks in defense of her pot stirring, and for conflict in the blogosphere. [...] […] Anyhow. Back to the substantive agenda for the day. There’s something I didn’t want to let pass. Twisty made the following remarks in defense of her pot stirring, and for conflict in the blogosphere. […]

]]> By: Pony http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27216 Pony Tue, 03 Oct 2006 20:17:51 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27216 snort snort

]]> By: Twisty http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27213 Twisty Tue, 03 Oct 2006 19:51:53 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27213 I heart Page, and not just for pointing out that name-calling typically doesn't function as a discourse-enhancer. Too bad it's so <em>fun</em>! I heart Page, and not just for pointing out that name-calling typically doesn’t function as a discourse-enhancer. Too bad it’s so fun!

]]> By: Page Rockwell http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27210 Page Rockwell Tue, 03 Oct 2006 19:38:04 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/09/30/a-few-remarks-on-a-few-remarks/#comment-27210 Hey Twisty, thanks for your thoughtful riposte. I think that, as you note, my intent wasn't to silence you, but to call attention to the fact that debates about what feminism often devolve into knocking other feminists. This can go both ways -- "fun feminists" may huff that the radicals' rhetoric alienates newcomers, and radicals may mock more mainstream feminists for their clueless attachment to the trappings of patriarchy. Now, debates about the ideas themselves -- whether feminists should give a shit if we alienate anyone, or whether it's possible to think critically about the patriarchy and occasionally wear high-heeled shoes -- sound like debates I'd love to be present for. I agree that achieving consensus on the nature and extent of the enemy is the first step, and that women are attached to the trappings of patriarchy and that's detrimental. Intramural skirmishing and essays on "What Feminism means to me" aren't just okay; they're essential. But when we get to the point of constructing a caricature of the Other Feminist (whether that's "sassysexy young urban consumers of femininity/The Grand Acquisitors/Carrie Bradshaw" or "humorless frigid ugly bitch who can't get laid"), I think we're straying away from principles and into name-calling. Not that name-calling should be cause for resignation of one's membership or anything; I'd just rather talk about the ideas themselves -- and it's my opinion that debating and educating based on the principles, rather than making caricatures of each other, is a quicker route to broad(er) agreement on the nature and extent of the enemy. Still, that's just my opinion. I should save the topic of fun and feminism for another time (though now I will fail to do that by saying that if it seemed that my post painted you as the enemy of fun in general, that wasn't my intention -- rather, I wanted to look at whether feminism and fashion/fucking/shopping can exist side by side without the latter diluting the former. Either way, I'm with you when you say that characterizing hairdo consumption as some kind of progressive, counter-patriarchal activity is bullshit. Apologies to anyone I've lost in this long digression, which refers to a letter Twisty wrote on the same subject: http://letters.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2006/09/29/fun/permalink/bbc1684fbd3933cd59ee997088fd24fe.html). Thanks for all your on-point blaming and general ferocity. Hey Twisty, thanks for your thoughtful riposte. I think that, as you note, my intent wasn’t to silence you, but to call attention to the fact that debates about what feminism often devolve into knocking other feminists. This can go both ways — “fun feminists” may huff that the radicals’ rhetoric alienates newcomers, and radicals may mock more mainstream feminists for their clueless attachment to the trappings of patriarchy. Now, debates about the ideas themselves — whether feminists should give a shit if we alienate anyone, or whether it’s possible to think critically about the patriarchy and occasionally wear high-heeled shoes — sound like debates I’d love to be present for. I agree that achieving consensus on the nature and extent of the enemy is the first step, and that women are attached to the trappings of patriarchy and that’s detrimental. Intramural skirmishing and essays on “What Feminism means to me” aren’t just okay; they’re essential. But when we get to the point of constructing a caricature of the Other Feminist (whether that’s “sassysexy young urban consumers of femininity/The Grand Acquisitors/Carrie Bradshaw” or “humorless frigid ugly bitch who can’t get laid”), I think we’re straying away from principles and into name-calling. Not that name-calling should be cause for resignation of one’s membership or anything; I’d just rather talk about the ideas themselves — and it’s my opinion that debating and educating based on the principles, rather than making caricatures of each other, is a quicker route to broad(er) agreement on the nature and extent of the enemy.

Still, that’s just my opinion. I should save the topic of fun and feminism for another time (though now I will fail to do that by saying that if it seemed that my post painted you as the enemy of fun in general, that wasn’t my intention — rather, I wanted to look at whether feminism and fashion/fucking/shopping can exist side by side without the latter diluting the former. Either way, I’m with you when you say that characterizing hairdo consumption as some kind of progressive, counter-patriarchal activity is bullshit. Apologies to anyone I’ve lost in this long digression, which refers to a letter Twisty wrote on the same subject: http://letters.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2006/09/29/fun/permalink/bbc1684fbd3933cd59ee997088fd24fe.html).

Thanks for all your on-point blaming and general ferocity.

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