I'm trying to figure out a 101 to all the naysayers. Any fellow feminist care to simplify it for our friends? Lemme try one last time...
Listen folks, there are communities that identify as several things because THE WORLD at some point decided to be horrible and oppress, hurt and negate their existence. I didn't think I'd have to point out examples but I will:
Ahem...slavery Destruction of indigenous folks Gay folks getting bullied Gay folks not being allowed to do anything Holocaust Women not being allowed to vote People being racially profiled
Please, do yourself a favor (and do me one too because I need you as my ally so we can get over this seemingly neverending struggle) and talk to some folks and try and understand that there are identities because those folks have been abused, raped, killed, mistreated, neglected...you name all the bad stuff...so if you hear words like sissy night, trans night, women's night, queer, POC night, don't be frightened or threatened. It's just us trying to find ways to find ways to be empowered and ways to strongly belong in this world that has mistreated for many years.
And just saying 'well I'm a cyclist, respect me/fund me' isn't gonna cut it. Not EVEN comparable.
Don't take offense...it wasn't our idea to be separate...we've jut decided to embrace it as a weapon or strength so no one can use thy against us anymore.
With love and a little understanding, y'all.
On Friday, January 4, 2013, jonny b wrote:
Way to go Ovarian Psychos! It's great to hear the good news and I look forward to hearing more about it.
... And I'm totally amazed/blown away that we're still having conversations about the necessity of things like Ladies, Trans and Sissies night. Our lil' shop (in redneck Calgary, Alberta) has seen huge community benefits from similar safe spaces. A few people (white dudes) have complained/not joined/etc over it and fuck'em - feminism's a founding and explicit principle of our initiative and outshines any dude's need to prove some shitty point. There's plenty of resources for doubtful dudes to read through - people have already put the effort into creating them, so it's easy to just have a few zines on hand or invite people to look it up themselves!
Love from Jonny
PS. Can't wait to see Plan B!
On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 12:00 AM, Wendy Monroe wendy.monroe@usermail.com wrote:
I agree, to me also, it makes more sense to identify as a human being and cyclist first.
In my opinion, identity politics makes non useful distinctions between people… encourages divisiveness. We have a lot more in common with each other as human beings who ride
bikes,
than the superficial distinctions that may differentiate us such as skin color, whom we partner with, what gender clothes we might prefer to wear…
Just a thought as a bike repairer in a multiethnic neighborhood in Amsterdam.
Wendy Monroe
On 04 Jan 2013, at 01:24, mfen651@aol.com wrote:
Victor and all,
I can not help but respond to this. Some of you will see my response as negative, others as offensive, and a very few, as honest, authentic, and right on.
I'd like to try to soften all and any reactions for what is worth by
sharing
that I have spent fourteen years in offices, assemblies, workshops,
courts,
and other places, as a mediator listening (in many venues) to people "explain" themselves and their reason for their behaviors.
I for one am tired of the labels minority, protected class, gender
oppressed
and a host of others that I am not going to waste yours, mine or anyone else's time listing.
In today's world, where more is spent on defense than on homelessness,
and
even more is spent on political campaigns than on those who don't have
food
to eat, one doesn't have to look far to see the worlds priorities are somewhat misaligned.
That said, I would no more supports an advocacy group that would call
itself
"The Ovarian Psychos" or "Plan B Ladies, Trans and Sissies". Those very names are offensive to me, let alone millions (I'd bet) that are theoretically described by those names or labels as they would be
properly
called.
Perhaps the one label I wear proudly is that of cyclist. I ride with
many,
of all genders, races, cultures, and sexual preferences, as well as life style choices. Really, I could give a rats ass in you know where what anyone's choices are with regards to those labels. I care only that they like me, enjoy a ride, and off we go. This attitude has brought me new experiences, new friends, and best of all, new knowledge. Knowledge that reinforces my stance here.
If we are to label one another in terms of gender preference, sexual preference or racial character, then we acknowledge that we have a
bias...to
that label or we would not accept it. If we do that, then we fan the
fires
of bias and conversely indicate our prejudice. If you are one, than you
are
the other, and then you become part of the problem, not part of the solution.
I do not thing this matter belongs as a subset of cycling. Perhaps
blended
populations should be. Perhaps world peace should be. Perhaps feeding
the
world population should be. Perhaps exposing one or another group that
seem
underrepresented in cycling should be, but it should not be the other way around as you are advocating for.
Cycling is for just about everyone, and at some point in time, if we can create the accessibility that we need to be focused on, if we can create
the
motivational messages that we should be focused on, if we can create the understanding that we should be focused on, then one day is might be everyone, rather than just about everyone.
I can support or ask anyone to advocate or support what you are
suggesting
here, nor do I thing the subject line is fitting. This is not
supportive of
women, its supportive of a very unique and niche group of women, whom do
not
and should not enjoy the support of the majority of women. By adopting
the
label, name if you will they have, they demean the larger population of females in the world.
Again, this is my thoughts based on a life time of promoting
understanding
and communication between all people of the planet and just hopefully, beyond.
Happy New Year Everyone.
Sincerely,
-- John Barrett The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / The Organic Saskatoon & Iron Orchard jonny@goodlifebikes.ca javascript:; 403.619.2648 _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org javascript:; To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org javascript:; To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...