Comments on: A Shout-Out to Pro-Feminist Men Online http://www.harpyness.com/2009/09/18/a-shout-out-to-pro-feminist-men-online/ As narrated by five of the most charming and vicious women on the internet Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:08:53 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Terry http://www.harpyness.com/2009/09/18/a-shout-out-to-pro-feminist-men-online/comment-page-1/#comment-15452 Terry Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:23:40 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=10260#comment-15452 @ Mischief Manager: you said: "Also, why can’t men who support feminism be feminists and not pro-feminists?" I've recently gone through this (deciding whether or not I liked the label of "feminist" for myself). I came to the conclusion that I'm not a feminist, but rather a "feminist cheerleader". Without having read oodles of books on feminist theory, it seems to be that feminism is essentially about women redefining women's role in society--something I think men shouldn't do. Also, "feminism" is hardly a monolithic school of thought--there are some opinions that I hold (along with some feminists) that other feminists disagree with. I'm not interested in defending (to a woman) what feminism is or is not. @ Mischief Manager:
you said:
“Also, why can’t men who support feminism be feminists and not pro-feminists?”

I’ve recently gone through this (deciding whether or not I liked the label of “feminist” for myself).

I came to the conclusion that I’m not a feminist, but rather a “feminist cheerleader”.

Without having read oodles of books on feminist theory, it seems to be that feminism is essentially about women redefining women’s role in society–something I think men shouldn’t do.

Also, “feminism” is hardly a monolithic school of thought–there are some opinions that I hold (along with some feminists) that other feminists disagree with. I’m not interested in defending (to a woman) what feminism is or is not.

]]> By: Nils Boray http://www.harpyness.com/2009/09/18/a-shout-out-to-pro-feminist-men-online/comment-page-1/#comment-15240 Nils Boray Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:55:48 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=10260#comment-15240 Will definitely give it a look. Another feminist male. Will definitely give it a look.

Another feminist male.

]]> By: JC http://www.harpyness.com/2009/09/18/a-shout-out-to-pro-feminist-men-online/comment-page-1/#comment-15223 JC Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:37:13 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=10260#comment-15223 This is exciting, as a feminist who happens to be male! :) This is exciting, as a feminist who happens to be male! :)

]]> By: mischiefmanager http://www.harpyness.com/2009/09/18/a-shout-out-to-pro-feminist-men-online/comment-page-1/#comment-15168 mischiefmanager Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:50:53 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=10260#comment-15168 It's very heartening to know that there are some men who are making a genuine effort to understand the whole maleness question and what it means as it plays out in society. I volunteer as a clinic escort and it's always struck me how often the antis (male, of course) yell at the male companions of the patients to "be a man". The construct is so peculiar. It's exceedingly rare for someone to tell a female to "be a woman". We are women because we're born that way, but evidently, you have to do something special in order to earn the title of "man"-at least according to a number of right wing wackos. Maybe men would be able to relax if they were given permission to be men by virtue of their birth (or choice, I guess, in the case of trans men). Also, why can't men who support feminism be feminists and not pro-feminists? It’s very heartening to know that there are some men who are making a genuine effort to understand the whole maleness question and what it means as it plays out in society. I volunteer as a clinic escort and it’s always struck me how often the antis (male, of course) yell at the male companions of the patients to “be a man”. The construct is so peculiar. It’s exceedingly rare for someone to tell a female to “be a woman”. We are women because we’re born that way, but evidently, you have to do something special in order to earn the title of “man”-at least according to a number of right wing wackos. Maybe men would be able to relax if they were given permission to be men by virtue of their birth (or choice, I guess, in the case of trans men).

Also, why can’t men who support feminism be feminists and not pro-feminists?

]]> By: Imogen http://www.harpyness.com/2009/09/18/a-shout-out-to-pro-feminist-men-online/comment-page-1/#comment-15162 Imogen Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:51:58 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=10260#comment-15162 Yay! This has needed to exist for a long time. Yay! This has needed to exist for a long time.

]]> By: mkp-hearts-nyc http://www.harpyness.com/2009/09/18/a-shout-out-to-pro-feminist-men-online/comment-page-1/#comment-15157 mkp-hearts-nyc Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:28:56 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=10260#comment-15157 These are great! I got into an online scuffle with a (teenage) friend of my brother's who thought that Onion article about Hillary as a weapon of mass-destruction was funny. We wound up having a civil discussion, but he just doesn't get yet that as a privileged dudely type he doesn't get to dictate the terms of a discussion of feminism or what women are entitled to or what "The Feminists" should be advocating for. I think this site will help! These are great! I got into an online scuffle with a (teenage) friend of my brother’s who thought that Onion article about Hillary as a weapon of mass-destruction was funny. We wound up having a civil discussion, but he just doesn’t get yet that as a privileged dudely type he doesn’t get to dictate the terms of a discussion of feminism or what women are entitled to or what “The Feminists” should be advocating for. I think this site will help!

]]> By: JustReading http://www.harpyness.com/2009/09/18/a-shout-out-to-pro-feminist-men-online/comment-page-1/#comment-15145 JustReading Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:50:07 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=10260#comment-15145 Ugh. Link fail. www.mascmag.com Ugh. Link fail. http://www.mascmag.com

]]> By: JustReading http://www.harpyness.com/2009/09/18/a-shout-out-to-pro-feminist-men-online/comment-page-1/#comment-15144 JustReading Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:48:57 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=10260#comment-15144 Another site that explores masculinity and being "a real man" from a feminist perspective is Masc Magazine (http://www.mascmag.com/). I love it. Another site that explores masculinity and being “a real man” from a feminist perspective is Masc Magazine (http://www.mascmag.com/). I love it.

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