Are you a feminist?
Reply #66 - June 10, 2014, 05:20 PM
OK Descent, I'm in front of my computer so I'm a little bit more motivated to write this thing out.
The point is that, from what I understood from the "Newton rape manual"-claim, is that Newton used rape to explain or illustrate his theory or point. Or did I read that wrong? The author who claimed, a bit over-dramatically perhaps in order to get her point through, it should be called "Newton's rape manual", probably meant that Newton reflected the world view that shaped, and still shape when this example or "metaphor" is still used, our understanding of the world and in particular our understanding of "women". I haven't read the book, so I can't argue pro or against her. But it seems she has some interesting points and maybe someday I'll bother to look up her work. Till then, I have nothing more to say on this particular matter.
As for the androcentric world view, this is something that pervades our entire society. History is androcentric, because women of importance are not given room. When you read history, it's like women are non-existing. Perhaps you think, maybe women weren't contributing much. But then you start your research, and you're like "shit, there's a lot of interesting historical women we are never taught about!". It's the same with non-white historical representation. Sometimes, you think only white men have ever done anything interesting or worth noting. Then you start your own research and all of a sudden you wonder why we are never taught about these non-white historical figures.
The same thing can be said about science. Science, physics or chemistry or whatever, has been "masculine". It was not befitting for women to engage in, and those who did had to do a lot of work to even be recognized. It's been the same with literature. Even during 19th century, people wondered if women could even be as good authors as men and if they should even be allowed to write. Even J-K Rowling decided not to use her full name, because the publisher said that she probably wouldn't sell as many books if the buyer thought it was a woman who had written "Harry Potter" (This was before the hype, when Harry Potter was just another fantasy book to be discovered).
It's not just about women not being given access, and in that way being excluded. It's also like in the "history example" I gave, that women who did contribute are either ignored or had to work their assess off in order to be recognized. Androcentricism makes the male body the default body. It makes men the "norm". Everything that is not the norm, must then be "deficient" or "deformed". From a post-colonial view point, there's a matter of race as well that could be added. All non-white, non-male bodies are excluded. And when they take up room in spaces that are not built for them, since they are shaped and formed from a male (white) perspective, they become a sore spot.
I highly recommend you to read Puwar's book I suggested. Instead of spending hours upon hours reading 10 different books about this, Puwar really summarizes things in a comprehensive manner.
"The healthiest people I know are those who are the first to label themselves fucked up." - three
Topic: Are you a feminist?