From: seid@popov.ee.cornell.EDU (Steve Seidman)
Subject: Re: >slamming Women's Bookstores
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Date: 31 Dec 92 19:23:21 GMT

Hi it's me again.  I think that when I heard in an Ithaca bookstore
"This is a women's bookstore, we don't have books by men"
an idea was crystallized in my mind and that's what I started
to write about.  I think that what was bothering me isn't
necessarily related to the bookstore, or whatever might have
been going on in the minds of the collective that came up
with their store policy (I'm no mind reader).

Here's what I suddenly realized:  HEY!! this concept of
Women's Literature as a distinctly different literature
written by and for Women is being taken seriously, as
something real and in a bussiness setting to boot. It's not just
an artifact of esoteric literary criticism anymore.  And it seems
from followup posts, and the copious e-mail that I've been
delighted to receive that the concept of "Women's Literature,
by Women(only) and sold in Specialty (Women's) store" is
entrenched and considered to be no big deal. (like, no different
than K-mart carrying a certain brand of tennis rackets)

Well, that's news! and excuuuuuuuuuse me for being out of touch
with the currents of culture (I don't get out much, you see;-)

However, I happen to think that the concept of Women's Literature
with a Women-only-(essence) is sheer madness.

First (WARNING: deep ideology follows:)
In theory it is possible for a male author to produce
a book fitting into some sort of Lesbian/Women's Literature Scheme.
(and should such a thing ever happen, it could get shut out of the
mainstream *just* as easily as the typical Lesbian/Women's book do)

Second (WARNING: incipient deconstructionism follows:)
Books can take on a life of their own in the minds of the readers
that isn't linearly related to the sex of the author.  Also, there's
been women authors credited with writing like a man.

Third (WARNING: incipient Jungian psychology follows:)
I happen to suspect that there's a masculine and feminine component
to everyone's personality; it's just weighted differently in people.
The concept of Women's literature that is sooo women-oriented as to
be beyond men rubs against that grain.  And if such a thing were really
true there wouldn't be any point to even discussing the issue because the
OTHER couldn't possibly understand (which seems to be a totally pointless
way of looking at the world)

Finally (WARNING: shallow ideology follows:)
This is to address the diversionary conterarguments in the followup
posts.  I have nothing against this or other Women's bookstores,
I wasn't made to feel uncomfortable there; no one was rude; no
one asked to see my feminist-id card; and no injustice was done
(and I never said or implied such a thing).  And I see no reason
why I won't go back to that bookstore when appropriate.  (But from
now on I will think there is a touch of MADNESS to such an
establishment)

I never challenged the private property rights or entitlements of
the proprietors to sell whatever they want to, nor do I think that
reverse discrimination, or seperate-but-equal has anything to do with
what I've been saying.  I think these legal arguments are typical
of "constitutional freedom"-arguments that are brought up as a
RED-HERRING, and it's exactly the same tactic that is used to divert
discussions about the meaning of pornography. (How many times have
you heard: "well say what you want, but porn is constitutionally protected"
when that NEVER was the issue)

Lastly (WARNING: mild sarcasm follows:)
Someone suggested there were more important "injustices" to talk
about.  Another RED-HERRING! (and so typical in soc.feminism).
There are *always* more important things to talk about!!!! So What!!
I hope this wasn't a suggestion to censor the topic *I* happen to be
talking about.  Make a post of your own!!  Nyah Nyah ;-) (toungue out too)

Have a nice day,

Steve Seidman
seid@ee.cornell.edu


--
Post articles to soc.feminism, or send email to feminism@ncar.ucar.edu.
Questions and comments should be sent to feminism-request@ncar.ucar.edu.  This
news group is moderated by several people, so please use the mail aliases. Your
article should be posted within several days.  Rejections notified by email.