Prejudices

[David Casseres]

Joe Varo sez

>I'm just trying to figure out what one has to say or not say to be
>considered a feminist.

Why?  I don't think there's an entrance exam.  What do you have to say or 
not say to be considered an egalitarian?  A libertarian?  A democrat?  A 
pacifist?

>Apparently you can say something really moronic
>and still be part of the gang, so long as you toe the line.  But should
>you dissent in some way then an attempt is made to squelch you.

Somebody help me out here.  I don't know where to begin explaining.

>My line would be in maintaining consistent standards.  EVERYONE should
>have a voice and the notion that one group, who having struggled immensely
>to gain *their* voice should then want to stifle others strikes me as
>ludicrous and hypocritical.

Yeah, but you see, nobody (well, nobody we've heard from) is trying to 
stifle or squelch Paglia.  The feminist panel that you (I think) told 
about did not want to hear about her views, but surely that's their 
prerogative.  Someone punched her out, but we're all agreed that's beyond 
the pale.  As for the feminists that we've heard from (self-declared, 
like all feminists or members of most any movement), I think one of them 
thought Paglia was worth listening to and one or two others didn't, and 
one claimed Paglia isn't really a feminist -- which is an opinion she's 
entitled to, no?

And a few of us have voiced strong disagreement with Paglia's statements, 
and/or distaste for her personally.  So what are we supposed to do with 
our opinions?  Are they not legitimate, while Paglia's are entitled to 
some sort of special consideration?  What's the deal here?

Cheers,
David