An Answer to The Feminist Outrage

As some of you know, in the most recent issue of The Observer, I wrote a piece that called into question the validity of the modern day manifestations of the civil and women’s rights movements. I imagined that, having the audacity to challenge politically correct dogma, most students that read my column would be shocked and offended. What I didn’t anticipate is that it would be read by too many outsiders. It seems that I was somewhat mistaken. A number of feminist blogs, most notably Feministe commented on it.

Never mind the fact that they violated fair use provisions by quoting almost the entire article without consent from the copyright holder (me), and should be cutting their quotes accordingly. They ignored the substantive points made therein, and used it as a way to mock me. Now, there is little I can do about that, and even less I would care to. But, I thought it would be worth replying to some of those that commented about it.

Wow. He is the epitome of white, male privilege. There should be an award.

I’m glad that commenter feels that she knows me well enough to make such a judgement. Sadly, she’s mistaken. Jews aren’t exactly part of the privileged minority. And I have no problem admitting that I am a first generation American in my family, with our roots being in Eastern Europe. My family doesn’t own a yacht, we don’t belong to a country club, and I don’t have a trust fund. Yes, I live comfortably, perhaps moreso than most. But I am certainly no poster child for the old boys club, and I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth.

If Caleb Posner is a traditionally-aged college freshman, then he was born in 1988 or 1989. Was he even in diapers–was he even a gleam in anyone’s eye–when someone tried to take away his access to pornography?

I don’t recall suggesting that pornography was under serious threat the year I was born. Had she cared to read my article, it would be apparent exactly what I was stating. I noted that in the 1980′s, many feminists were openly advocating the banning of pornography, and used false information to make their case. Of course I realize that their efforts failed, and am I glad of it. But that doesn’t mean they get a free pass for supporting censorship.

Not surprised he loves him some Booker T. Washington. While Washington was a leader and against the racism and prejudice of the day, they didn’t call him “The Great Accomidator” for nothin

I like Booker T Washington because he was a man of sense. He had a logical end goal, but realized that such epic change would not occur over night, and wouldn’t be aided by radicalism. Instead, he suggested that African Americans focus on improving themselves, suggesting that equality would eventually result as a consequence. And I fail to see the flaw in that line of thought. With slavery having ended only decades earlier, and with great educational and socioeconomic discrepancies still existing, it stood to reason that they were disadvantaged, and would benefit from reducing and eventually removing that gap. Like the original fringe blogger that attacked my article, she can imply whatever motivation she likes for my support for him. But that doesn’t make it true, and my support of MLK, which I also covered in my article, should show that.

I find it amusing that the Posner’s of the world are so willing to praise feminists and the civil rights struggle as long as the people involved are conveniently dead. Had he written this forty years ago MLK would be a dangerous radical. Here in California affirmative action is dead thanks to insecure little twerps like Posner

That comment is so incorrect, I am unsure where to start. I have no issue praising living feminists and civil rights advocates. As far as great feminists go, I think Christina Hoff Sommers and Wendy McElroy are both alive, and come to mind as examples of what feminism should stand for. And, among the African American community, there is no finer example than Bill Cosby. He may be best known as an actor and comedian, but when he speaks out on issues facing the community, he does so in a measured and rational way, putting logic above tired rhetoric.

And, as far as ending affirmative action goes, the sooner it happens, the better. I don’t think suggesting that a person be judged on their merits, instead of their gender or pigmentation, is an unusual or unreasonable request. Sure, decades ago there was a strong bias against women and minorities in the work force. But last I checked, my kind fell in that group too, and we never benefited from affirmative action. And I’m okay with that, because I don’t believe that two wrongs make right.

Has this little fool been living unde a rock? And what is someone who isn’t even twenty doing spouting off about pornography? He’s barely of legal age to view it, let alone complain about the alleged lack thereof.

So now being young precludes me from being well informed? Being eighteen doesn’t leave me any less able to deplore censorship, or make logical arguments against it. And, since banning pornography is exactly that, I fail to see this anything particularly complex or age sensitive. Moreover, I would again point out I never complained about it being unavailable. With the rise of the internet, it has never been so accessible. And that is great, because I support free choice. I don’t need several decades more of life experience to appreciate the importance of personal choice.

Maybe there’s something to the whole ‘liberalizing influence of colleges’?

As future articles will show, I am not a conservative, at least by contemporary American standards. I am a staunch supporter of separation of church and state, I oppose the Patriot Act, and I don’t believe that government has any business in the bedroom. I’m a classical liberal, or as one might call it now, a Neo-Objectivist.

Just out of curiosity, why is he so exercised about Andrea Dworkin’s attempts to ban pornography in the ’80s when there are perfectly good examples of conservative white men attacking pornography today? And how is Andrea Dworkin the real issue, when most of her political allies in that fight were conservatives?

Is wanting those who comment to read the article first unreasonable? If you notice, I make note of the role of Christian conservatives in the campaign against porn. However, that wasn’t the point of focus. The article was about the souring of once valid social movements, with the women’s rights movement being one of two focal cases. I promise you, I have many choice words for those that would confuse the Bible with American law, but that column was neither the time nor the place for them.

Well if that’s your idea of ‘free expression’ then democracy is wasted on you, since the only thing you’re ever likely to have a valid opinion on is playmate of the month.

Since when is pornography not a part of free expression? I never suggested it was the only form of it, or even the most important. But, it was the only one relevant to the article, since that was what second wave feminists sought to ban.

Totally not suprised by this guy. Case is full of kids from small Midwestern towns who never saw a non-white person in real life until the day they arrived in Cleveland.

It is true that I lived in the Midwest for two years, albeit in one of the larger cities therein (Grand Rapids). But I spent the majority of my life in places like Boston and Ottawa, and have grown up around plenty of non-whites. However, this fails to strike me as relevant. I don’t judge a person by the color of their skin, so I shouldn’t think that exposure to non-whites would impact in either direct my opposition to reverse racism.

Caleb would do well to look around the neighborhood he goes to school in. He would do well to notice who serves him his food in the dining halls, who sweeps up and dusts the lecture buildings, who cuts the grass, who takes his pass in the parking lots. If he got his head out of his ass, he would notice that Case is located in an almost entirely low income black area, yet almost none of the students or faculty are black. Almost all of the people doing the grunt work of keeping the campus running ARE, though. The incredible racial discrepancy of white and Asian kids filing along being served by black people always made me want to throw up a bit.

I do see the discrepancy. But it doesn’t strike me as relevant. Again, I want people to be judged by their merits, not their skin color. Cleveland has long been a city with a huge African American population. But does that mean that a leading research university located there must reflect the same racial composition? I should hope not, otherwise alot of more remote Midwestern colleges wouldn’t be able to admit qualified minority students.

Like the pro-lifers, it simply shows that his goal isn’t keeping porn legal, but keeping women “in their place”. If you like porn, oppose the Republicans, not the feminists. Of course, he, like so many conservative twits, seems to equate “criticizing something” with “wanting to outlaw something”.

Please tell me, when did I endorse the GOP? There are many Republicans on the wrong side of the pornography issue, and many Democrats standing next to them there. But this wasn’t an article about the positions of the two major parties on censorship. It was about the twisting of the feminist and civil rights efforts. And, like it or note, many feminists did advocate outlawing pornography. Those are the ones I’m calling out, not the ones who speak critically of it.

I guess Caleb does not know that 15% of each class at the averege Ivy is made up of white students with lower grades and SAT’s than the rest of the class but who are legacies, rich, well connected, etc. I’d like to see him write a column railing against THAT practice which has been going on for hundreds of years.

I do know of the legacy advantage that many private universities employ. But I won’t speak out against it…ever. Why? Take a look at my article, and you’ll notice that I support private organizations and enterprises doing as they see fit. If that is one of their criteria, so be it. Those who take issue with it need not apply. Whether it is right or wrong is not for me to say, because they are not publicly funded institutions.

Well, that about does it. There were other comments, but none sufficiently important or distinct to reply to. I realize that I probably won’t sway the few of those commenters that do end up reading this article. But really, that doesn’t matter to me. I care more to set the record straight than to change the minds of those who enjoy jumping to conclusions.

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