Women only spaces - yes or no?

Broadly speaking, it's a yes from Jenn. Thanks for watching and THANK YOU to all our subscribers!

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Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• feminism
• feminist
• vlog
• ThosePeskyDames
• Video Blogging
• women only spaces
• women's spaces
• exclusionary space
• privilege

[TselkeNoddles]

I think the idea of exclusionary spaces is terrible for any political ideology since it creates a kind of echo chamber where only one mode of thought, opinion and viewpoint is allowed to proliferate, without criticism, opposing views or debate styles it could develop into a cultish sort of brainwashing. If spaces exist to discuss important civil issues and reforms to society, shouldn't said hubs for ideas be open to outside input? Criticism and viewpoints? Otherwise its more like going to church

[ThosePeskyDames]

@TselkeNoddles Is sharing experiences of oppression the same thing as discussing reforms to society? No. When we're talking about sexism, women don't NEED people saying "But are you sure? I don't think that was sexism I think it was x y z" because it's really undermining and belittling. Exclusionary spaces are vital for oppressed groups to raise their consciousness and find ways to cope in a prejudiced society. ~ Jenn

[fidelbogen]

I will support the idea of woman-only spaces ONLY on condition that the idea of male-only spaces gets equal support in the culture as a whole.

Otherwise, forget about it. No deal.

[ThosePeskyDames]

@Stephen3132 I personally wouldn't include gay men in a women only space, given that they still have male privilege and are, well, male. I think @shannonlwilliams makes a good point that being gay and male doesn't automatically mean you have no problematic attitudes towards women. ~ Jenn

[j1mmyZeta]

I support the rights of everyone to have their own space. Ideally, I would have somewhere to get away from people like yourself because I'm tired of hearing the same old shit and the same old phrases.... the oppression/privilege paradigm and all the PC rituals that come with it.

[ofcoursec34]

@fidelbogen "Sexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is defined as prejudice or discrimination based on sex; or behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex."

[fidelbogen]

@ofcoursec34 Yes, such "acknowledgment" does indeed constitute an extreme ideological position. The word "sexism" is problematic in the first place. Not everybody agrees on WHAT it is, let alone that is even IS at all. . .

And that is only for starters.

[ThosePeskyDames]

@TselkeNoddles This discussion is going nowhere - nobody is changing their minds so this is a bit pointless. I'm going to ask you nicely to end it here or take your debate elsewhere. ~ Jenn

[ofcoursec34]

@TselkeNoddles It's like you're not even reading my posts, what is it you don't get about this? Do you really think that the aknowledgment of the existance of sexism in our society constitutes an extreme "ideological position"?

[TselkeNoddles]

@ofcoursec34 So again, by your own admission, anyone who might question the groups opinion on what is and isn't sexism is not welcome. Ideologically if you come at this from a perspective of "O' I am being oppressed," that is fine, but if the only acceptable viewpoint is that you and your group are the victim of "sexist oppression," and that is the only valid ideological position, then indeed these "Womens spaces," are just ideological echo chambers... no critical analysis welcome.

[ofcoursec34]

@TselkeNoddles "and anyone who does not agree is not welcome" No, anyone who denies that sexism exists isn't welcome. Anyone that does so is part of the opression, and therefore not appropriate in a "safe-space", whatever their gender-identity might be. And I don't really see why you seem to think that lack of male presence > the complete absence of critical thinking?