First, that which eridu calls tumblr-feminism is probably what I would call “not feminism.” People who invoke The Rules or who think being sexually forward is taking control of their sexuality are seldom actual doing anything to reduce patriarchy. Popular culture may call Snooki a “strong female,” but she is not following a feminist program.
Second, I agree with you that eridu’s philosophy seems incredibly essentialist. I just want to note that I don’t think Dworkin is essentialist, although she can be read that way.
People who invoke The Rules or who think being sexually forward is taking control of their sexuality are seldom actual doing anything to reduce patriarchy.
Either of these can be considered assertive, albeit in very different ways. Surely, among the culture hacks that would make women better off (at negligible social cost), encouraging them to be more assertive in general should be near the top of the list.
Oh, I see. I thought for a moment that mitigating the widespread occurrence of hierarchies and power relationships in the real world (as probably happens when assertive behavior becomes more commonly expected in a given culture) would be somewhat more consequential than “reducing patriarchy”, whatever that means.
Two points from my perspective:
First, that which eridu calls tumblr-feminism is probably what I would call “not feminism.” People who invoke The Rules or who think being sexually forward is taking control of their sexuality are seldom actual doing anything to reduce patriarchy. Popular culture may call Snooki a “strong female,” but she is not following a feminist program.
Second, I agree with you that eridu’s philosophy seems incredibly essentialist. I just want to note that I don’t think Dworkin is essentialist, although she can be read that way.
Either of these can be considered assertive, albeit in very different ways. Surely, among the culture hacks that would make women better off (at negligible social cost), encouraging them to be more assertive in general should be near the top of the list.
They are assertive. They just don’t reduce patriarchy.
Oh, I see. I thought for a moment that mitigating the widespread occurrence of hierarchies and power relationships in the real world (as probably happens when assertive behavior becomes more commonly expected in a given culture) would be somewhat more consequential than “reducing patriarchy”, whatever that means.
Not everything assertive reduces the relevant hierarchy.