You know you're a feminist if ...

[LBernier at tribune.com]

     Would someone please explain to me why you're only a feminist if you 
     go around with a big ol' chip on your shoulder?  I've never seen any 
     reason to agonize over my feminist credentials -  I was raised by a 
     mother who quietly staked a place for herself in the corporate world 
     back in the 70's, after marrying at 18 and popping me out at 20.  She 
     instilled in me from a very young age the idea that I could do 
     ANYTHING I want, and that I should pursue my own path, an idea I've 
     never had reason to question.  Have I encountered sexism?  Absolutely. 
      Do I therefore think all men are sexists?  No.
     
     I've never found that you can convince anyone to look at themselves 
     new eyes by attacking them.  If you see an IDEA that is wrong, then 
     please, refute the idea by countering with your own ideas and why you 
     hold them.  Calling the person who holds the idea a fascist, a 
     redneck, a nazi, whatever, serves no purpose but to further the 
     distance between you and the other person, and close off any chance of 
     dialogue that you may have had.  And there's always going to be people 
     who you cannot convince, no matter how persuasive your arguments.
     
     So, people of p-list, try a little eloquence, instead of these 
     fisticuffs.  
     
     And understand, Diana, that I did not criticize you because you are a 
     woman, but because I find your tactics destructive to your stated 
     cause.  And because my tolerance for rudeness had finally reached its 
     limit.  I hope and pray that you do not show such hostility to others 
     in face to face dealings with people, but that would explain a lot 
     about why you encounter such "attacks."  I'd take Steely to task for 
     the same thing, but, alas, I fear he may be a lost cause, and I like 
     to choose my battles.
     
     Jean.