From: kumagic@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu (Stephen R. Figgins)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: Who cares
Date: 21 Jul 92 10:09:30 CDT
Distribution: world
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

In article <l6m0ngINNq0j@jethro.Corp.Sun.COM>, tmhoff@oogoody.Corp.Sun.COM (Todd Hoff) writes:
> 
> I second and third and infinity this. 
> 
> Here's a list of things I didn't do, don't support, yet still get blamed for 
> because of my race and gender:
> 
> 1. Slavery. I didn't do it.
> 2. Kill the buffalo and break treaties with the indians. I didn't do it.
> 3. Set up the patriarchy. I didn't do it.
> 4. Deny women the vote. I didn't do it.
> 5. Oppress and descriminate against homosexuals. I didn't do it.
> 6. Rape ot threaten women. I swear I didn't do it.
> 7. Make the glass ceiling. I didn't do it.
> 8. Oppress third world nations. I didn't do it.
> 9. Destroy the environment. I didn't do it.

I think we are all a little guity of this one to some extent of
another.  I have driven a car, ran air-conditioning, left lights on,
eaten meat, etc.   All things which directly or indirectly destroy the
environment. 

> 10. Elect bush. I didn't do it.
> 11. Burn the witches. I didn't do it.
> 
> There's a lot more I didn't do, but I'll stop here.
> 
> P.S.
> Don't even try to insuate that I do anything tacitly or explicitly because
> I was born into a certain body.

But do you in any way support those who do these things?  What is
Sun's policy on hiring?  Are there many women in positions other than
service there?  Do they use a CFC cleaning agent in manufacturing
computers?  Are they open and tolerant of paganism?  Could I work
there and wear my pentacle?  How about being openly gay or lesbian?
Do they offer spousal benefits to those in same sex marriages?  How
are they on maternity leave?  Or do women get stuck in the
Mommy-track?  Did they make any campaign contributions to the Bush
campaign?  Do they have a day-care program?  

Andrea dworkin had a wonderful challenge to a Men's group she
addressed, in Idaho I believe.  She said basically she thought it was
wonderful that men were learning to be open about there emotions, and
finding out it was okay to touch each other.  But she followed this by
saying it really didn't mean shit to the women in the world.  If they
really wanted to be such great and changing men, she said the should
do something about rape.  She said all she wanted, to restore her
faith in men, all she wanted to know that men were worth anything at
all, was a 24 hour period in which there was no rape.  Just 24 hours
without a rape. 

Instead of complaining about getting this rap.  Why don't you do
something about the problems that are presented.  Or is that not your
problem either? 

There are many problems that men (not you and I) started, many
injustices that men (not you and I) did.  There are many cruelties
being inflicted by men (not you and I) while we speak.  Because a
system exists that protects them, hides them, encourages them they do
those things.  Men (not me, and maybe not you) do not feel they should
do anything to change this, are happy to keep things this way, and
don't care that others are doing this, because it is not their
problem.  

For ourselves, for our friends, lovers, families, and children, we
need to find ways to break out of this oppression, not just say "Hey,
it wasn't me."  Our silence is assent.  Our silence is complicity.

-- 
___________________________________________________________________________

Stephen R. Figgins           |  There was an old woman
kumagic@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu   |  Who lived under the hill 
PO Box 1244                  |  And if she's not gone 
Lawrence, KS 66044	     |  She lives there still
___________________________________________________________________________