There will be an
uncomfortable feeling that will rush over you when you see terms such as men’s
rights, men’s activism, challenge masculinity, or men’s studies. Is this going
to be a group encouraging men to reclaim, reinforce and perpetuate the power structures
and domination that have existed for thousands of years, all topped with
misogyny? Or will this lead to a group of men that are challenging the current
constructions of masculinity with the aim to dismantle harmful gender roles and
the patriarchy? Although most often it is the former. You will learn the former
Deputy Minister of Education was meeting with boys groups and received numerous
correspondence from men’s rights groups from around the province saying sexist
things about the Premier. I am not saying that the Deputy supported this, but
rather that this rhetoric persists. Furthermore, there have been various men’s
groups, formally or informally associated, that make waves usually on the
internet, which target feminists, feminism, and women in general. This can be
seen when Anita Sarkeesian received death and sexual violence threats from
gamer men feeling challenged by her feminist critiques of the gaming industry.
So this muddles any thoughts you will have when you see men’s groups trying to
challenge masculinity.
However, I do believe
men and men’s groups can be important in the feminist movement. There is for
sure a necessary place, even though some disagree. Men who actively come out as
feminists, Prime Minister Trudeau, Matt McGorry (actor: How to Get Away with Murder),
Terry Crews (NFL player and actor: Brooklyn Nine Nine) and Justin Balondi
(actor: Jane the Virgin) are notably engaging in discourses to challenge
harmful masculinity and raise attention on the role men can play in feminism.
Michael Flood further explores the role men can play in peace movements and
challenging the traditional discourses (2005). Some feminists do not support
the active advocacy of men in the feminist movement. Although I disagree, I
understand where these sentiments can come from, as I have met many progressive
feminist men who believe this title negates their own unchecked sexism. This
will be a notion that will seriously frustrate you. As long as feminist men
allow for women’s opinions, perspectives and experiences be at the forefront of
the movement, and support over direct, then I want to see more men in feminist
advocacy. Challenging thousands of years of patriarchal oppression is a
difficult task which will require all the possible support. The narrative needs
to follow that men and masculinity need not be accepted into feminist discourse
but men need to accept feminist discourse as a way to challenge masculinity and
the patriarchy.
The theme that ties
these three ideas, along with the three previous entries together could be summarized
as challenging the traditional dichotomies of masculinized war versus feminized
peace while acknowledging the ways that individuals perceive their own
oppression, without legitimizing hateful discourses. Alex, political science is
not about having all the answers or knowing the right things to say at each and
every moment. It is about asking questions that make you uncomfortable, it is
about allowing traditional narratives to be disrupted, and it is about being
confident in your beliefs but listening to others. This can involve anything
from understanding your own privileges in life, such as being a white
heterosexual Canadian, and questioning what forms of oppressions that you are
complicit in. This course will teach you the unanswered questions are the most
engaging and most valuable. There is no right way to approach political science
or feminism but constantly challenge your own and others’ ideas to continue
learning.
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder