Being a Male Feminist Ally
Amber Rhea, who is on top of my list of the people I would hate the most to have after me when I do wrong, wrote a brilliant list of how to be a feminist ally. I won’t quote them all here. Read them on her site and the sites she’s linked to.
I can add only one more: be clear to yourself and transparent to others about who your words and actions are really empowering.
And no sooner did I post this than I heard many of the ramifications of “feminist” and “advocate” Kyle Payne allegedly assaulting a woman.
I’m gravely suspicious of the whole “advocate” role Payne claimed. Exactly who does that role empower?
My put is there are no advocates, there are no male feminists, there are no allies, there are no cookies.
There are only people doing the right thing with people they respect and care about. If we men can’t be clear with ourselves and transparent with others about what’s behind our words and actions, we’re being useless or worse. And if we aren’t inner directed enough to take that, we need to tough it out.
Thanks for the link.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:58 pm