I never dreamed I’d write something that would be read aloud by the president of a prestigious New England college before hundreds of people, all sitting on the edge of their seats, occasionally breaking into spontaneous applause and finishing with a standing ovation.
Of course, no one was applauding for me or even my writing skills. The ovations were for the person I had written about—Catharine MacKinnon, a renowned feminist, attorney, author, and professor—who was receiving an alumni award from Smith College and giving a speech that day. I was merely the college public relations writer who had ghost-written the laudatory words for the president.
When I was first asked to write about this award recipient, I thought it would be a pretty easy job. After all, I was a professional writer and a liberal who was very sympathetic to her feminist causes. How hard could it be to praise her?
So I opened her dossier with confidence. Here was a woman who had done many things I found amazing and valuable: arguing in court against sexual discrimination and in favor of women’s reproductive rights, fair trial for victims of sexual crimes, and equality for all women; teaching at several distinguished law schools; authoring groundbreaking books on women’s rights. It was natural for me to admire MacKinnon and the work she had done.
But the more I read of her work and about her work, the more I couldn’t help noticing and alarming trend toward something I was very familiar with as a man working at a women’s college: "men-bashing." The simple definition of men-bashing is this: condemning all men on the basis of
the inexcusable actions of some men.
The really disheartening thing about men-bashing in this case was that it was paired so closely with the admirable things MacKinnon had to say. For example, she pointed out that violent pornography is a violation of women’s civil rights, not a matter of obscenity standards. But I had just barely finished thinking "yes!" when she next stated that there is no such thing as honest erotic art and that all men need increasingly violent pornography in order to be sexually excited.
Where did that come from? I am a man, and I am disgusted and offended -- definitely not aroused by violent pornography.
Then I read some of her writings on rape and was impressed with her work on ensuring fair trial for victims of sexual crimes. But, again, in nearly the next sentence she said that masculinity is defined as a man’s ability to rape women. I was stunned.
So I spent nearly a full week poring over every bit of information I could find on this woman in order to write a simple description of her accomplishments. I ignored a great deal of my other work that was piling up at a remarkable rate, and I talked with nearly every woman in our office trying to figure out why such an obviously intelligent woman would choose to short-circuit most of her many powerfully stated, finely detailed, specific arguments (a preponderance of which I agreed with) by resorting to blatant overgeneralization.
Why would she say, in effect, "Here is an important point about our world that needs to be made," only to follow it with, "but it should be obvious anyway because all men are inherently evil"?
Eventually, the demands of time made me put aside my philosophical debate and just write what I needed to write. And it all came out well, stirring the audience and providing a good introduction for MacKinnon’s speech.
Not to my surprise, her speech was another roller coaster ride. Her main point was again an important message concerning the discrimination of women: that the worst thing a woman can do in the face of discrimination is keep silent, something she noted that women have been doing for far too long. My emotions began to swing back in her favor as I felt outrage for the crimes that are committed against women and pride in the women who speak out against these crimes.
But if the worst thing a woman can do is remain silent, the second worst thing any oppressed person can do is generalize. And that is exactly what MacKinnon did next. She spent most of her speech engaged in a witty, acerbic, uncompromising attack on men -- not specifically on the men who oppress women, but all men. For her, there seemed to be no difference.
Shortly before MacKinnon’s visit to Smith, the word "stop" on a campus stop sign was followed by the spray-painted word "rapists." I was reminded of a similar phrase that I have also seen spray-painted at various locations on other campuses: "All men are potential rapists."
I’m sure MacKinnon would agree with this statement, but what good does believing it do anyone? It teaches women that they should fear men, and it teaches men that their assistance is not welcome in any effort toward equal treatment of women.
But worse, it implies that the only way to combat rape is to control or get rid of men -- all men. But this ignores the best way to combat rape (and all crimes against women, for that matter). The best way to do that is to find out what makes specific men commit crimes against women.
Of course, discovering and understanding specifics is much harder than simply generalizing crimes against women as the act of all men. More is needed than just saying "All men are bad; therefore, they commit crimes against women."
True understanding requires exhaustive investigation of the complex factors leading to such crimes. I have faith that most women will not fall into the trap of generalization that has ensnared Catharine MacKinnon. These are the women who realize that feminism is not a battle of women against men, but women who might support a motto stating that all men are potential allies.
John Sheirer poetry, essays, and educational materials have been published widely in print and on the internet. His most recent work can be seen on the web at Ethical Oasis, Nights and Weekends, Naked Humorists, and The Irascible Professor. He is the author of 21 small press chapbooks of poetry and a public speaking textbook. He teaches writing, public speaking, and literature at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, CT.
Your tightly written essays with strong values will be published here free of charge. A link back to your home page, or to your email address will be provided inside your byline, IF you want it. And if you need help polishing a good idea off so it becomes ready for publication here, that is yours for free too.
| Make SURE you are getting
the best protection you need for
the money you are now spending on insurance. First,
check out your own company with our direct insurance links. There
may be many special offers available from it that you don't even know
about.
Then -- if you need to -- Compare what you are paying now with the family-friendly values we find. See if the savings don't average 46% better than what you expect -- in ANY of these categories Strong Health Insurance * Bright Dental Insurance * Comprehensive Auto Insurance * Low Cost Life Insurance * Solid Home Insurance * Loving Long Term Care Insurance * Best Family Friendly Insurance Quotes Our process is simple; it's quick, it's painless -- and yes! |
Other Essay Magnums
The One Dollar Bill reveals what the dollar was meant to be backed up with.
A message for Garcia is one of the longest enduring and most published essays of all time. It saw the light of day in 1899 and has been reprinted in every written language on earth.
The Cold Crucible of Valley Forge brought out the best in us.
The 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln.
Is there one EASY way for everyone to find the best insurance quotes in every kind of insurance? NO! But there are NINE different ways to get quotes from hundreds of carriers and at least one of them should be just right for YOU. Click HERE to read the whole story.
Daniel Webster's last address to the New York Historical Society.
The Poor You Have Always With You. An essay on the homeless, reprinted many times, yet it is still fresh and biting new.
Moonbeams are the original fuzzy kind of logic. If you've ever seen a tree turn into a gnome, or remember your first kiss upon the sweet silver grass, you won't want to miss this nostalgic essay of a way of life that maybe only seemed to be.
The Typology of Financial Scandals. Can you recognize a scam?
Is your money SAFE in the bank? Miracles happen daily inside banks, but so does sleight of hand.
The Value of Money explains why we are always broke.
What is man that thou art mindful of him? Do the tides pause to salute an immortal soul when death brushes us by?
The Law of Tooth and Claw? A battle for turf brings out ancient memories.
Sweet and Sour by Anne Clemmons. Which is stronger, the practical future, or the one we dream about?
Mama's almost gone now. We don't always run from Death. Fact is, Mama's chewed on his lip so many times Death looks about as mean as a St. Bernard on a mission.
Nailing Mr. Big Buck, the trophy of the woods.
My first eagle. I shall never forget the thrill of seeing him sweep by in front of my own two eyes.
The Cowboy from Ireland, by Maggie Wood.
The Moon on Six Pence Uncle Bob was an unforgettable character who traveled the world on bargain rates and golden smiles!
Ice Memories that never get cold, by Lin Stone
Watches, a symbol of love betrayed? by Lin Stone.
The Almost Good Housekeeping monograph is a good excuse for the harried homemaker to put off until tomorrow all those burdens of yesteryear, and quit trying so hard.
Sex before the Sax: The first thing I learned about Lois was she had a label for being froward. Kids at school said she had had sex with Alfred. Not long after I arrived, another boy came forward to admit he had made a score at her door.
God Does Not Fit -- by Lance Nalley
The War on Terror by Corrigan Reid. Did we start too late and go too far?
As the war clouds gather round us again the War Will Make Us Rich theory rears its ugly head once more. The theory is that war will save our economy and in some magical way boost the supply of Happy Bucks bumping around in our pockets.
Coping with War, getting ready, prepared for those with children who still think it will be a thirty day lark. John Wayne won't be there. Neither will Rambo.
Will the War with Iraq trigger a new round of inflation?
Perceptions and reality lessons learned from the war.
Potential Men by John Sheirer. A few thoughts on women, men, and violence.
Other Literary Treasures Insurance for the family Make Your Mark on my web site.
Eugenics Anonymous Albert Edward Wiggam said: "The laws that govern the evolution of plants and animals apply to man. We can have any kind of race we want -- beautiful or ugly, wise or foolish, strong or weak, moral or immoral."
And there's MORE to this site than meets the eye.