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PainSmith -> RE: My feminist self is conflicted... (5/9/2008 12:19:14 PM)
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To me, the OP is about a surface conflict between civilised values and our animal nature, which vanishes when you look deeper into it.
Sophisticated civilised values insist we make no presumption about someone merely because of their colour, gender, culture, etc.. Our animal nature gives each of us sexualities which demand certain behaviours from us. So, apparently, there's a conflict between standing up for your rights as a woman, and giving up your rights into slavery.
The important thing, though, surely, is not that a feminist choses to become a slave, but that she can make that choice herself. If you're a feminist because you fight bigotry, then there is no conflict between being a feminist and being a slave, provided it's the slave's choice, even if she chooses non-consensual slavery, because she has the right, the opportunity, and the knowledge to make that choice herself. On the other hand, if you're a feminist for shallow tribal or selfish reasons, say a British Home Secretary, then of course might feel a conflict if you see another woman giving up her freedom to become a slave, because, only thinking of yourself, you don't want that to happen to you, & you can't understand other people have other needs because you can't see beyond you own burnt bra. Anyone who makes negative presumptions about someone because they were born a sadist, or masochist, might as well make negative presumptions about someone because they were born a woman.
So, to me, a feminist society is one in which people don't make assumptions about someone because she can't aim when she pees, but rather ensures a woman has the opportunity, right, and knowledge to choose for herself, even if her choice is slavery.
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