One thought about that link - doesn't claiming 'geek' in place of 'woman' deny gender power differencess within the group of people who call themselves geeks?
Indeed. And I think that's very potentially harmful to the extent that it keeps you from noticing sexism within the geek community, which does exist, as per the Male Programmer Privilege Checklist that I posted. It can potentially keep you from thinking that sexist behavior -- when it occurs in your community -- is a matter of problems with individuals, rather than an example of larger societal forces at work, because of course the usual ways that society works couldn't possibly have anything to do with your beautiful and unique subculture.
When I was little I desperately wanted to be a little boy. I feel annoyed about that now. I'd taken on some idea that maleness was somehow better. I don't believe that anymore.
Yeah, this is the kind of thing that Heilbrun talks about in her book; it seems that a lot of successful women got where they are by feeling that way.
I read someone's journal post a week or so ago about how she felt feminism wasn't relevant for her because gender wasn't high up on her list of ways she defined herself.
Funny, cuz it's feminism exactly that has given her the privilege of being able to say that.
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Date: 2006-10-16 02:11 pm (UTC)Indeed. And I think that's very potentially harmful to the extent that it keeps you from noticing sexism within the geek community, which does exist, as per the Male Programmer Privilege Checklist that I posted. It can potentially keep you from thinking that sexist behavior -- when it occurs in your community -- is a matter of problems with individuals, rather than an example of larger societal forces at work, because of course the usual ways that society works couldn't possibly have anything to do with your beautiful and unique subculture.
When I was little I desperately wanted to be a little boy. I feel annoyed about that now. I'd taken on some idea that maleness was somehow better. I don't believe that anymore.
Yeah, this is the kind of thing that Heilbrun talks about in her book; it seems that a lot of successful women got where they are by feeling that way.
I read someone's journal post a week or so ago about how she felt feminism wasn't relevant for her because gender wasn't high up on her list of ways she defined herself.
Funny, cuz it's feminism exactly that has given her the privilege of being able to say that.