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.
Quite. I personally know damn well sexism is alive and kicking in small press comic geek circles. Fortunately there're more good, pushy women here in the UK circles who've created a much nicer space for us here than was the case in New Zealand, but I'm aware of how hard they've worked for that, and have a sense of how quickly it would be lost if people stopped paying attention.
The other thing that makes me uncomfortable with the gender-geek post is, how about those of us who fall through the cracks? Yes, I like comic books more than Cosmo, I've been a keen RPGer, I like computers and games, and books, and conversations about abstract ideas. I find it insulting when it's suggested that I can't have all that and wear a skirt or some lipstick or whatever if I want to. Undermining any set of choices isn't a very good way to support everyone's choices.
Funny, cuz it's feminism exactly that has given her the privilege of being able to say that.
Quite. Not to mention her degree, her career and her access to technology.
no subject
Quite. I personally know damn well sexism is alive and kicking in small press comic geek circles. Fortunately there're more good, pushy women here in the UK circles who've created a much nicer space for us here than was the case in New Zealand, but I'm aware of how hard they've worked for that, and have a sense of how quickly it would be lost if people stopped paying attention.
The other thing that makes me uncomfortable with the gender-geek post is, how about those of us who fall through the cracks? Yes, I like comic books more than Cosmo, I've been a keen RPGer, I like computers and games, and books, and conversations about abstract ideas. I find it insulting when it's suggested that I can't have all that and wear a skirt or some lipstick or whatever if I want to. Undermining any set of choices isn't a very good way to support everyone's choices.
Funny, cuz it's feminism exactly that has given her the privilege of being able to say that.
Quite. Not to mention her degree, her career and her access to technology.