The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1950-06-23
Letters to the Editor
MAURY'S STATEMENTS
EQUALLY APPLICABLE
TO MEN, SAYS MAN!
ME PEOPLES VOICE:

THE PEOPLES VOICE:
Among all the world menacing con-
flicts afoot today the old Man VS.. Wo-
man controversy may seem to many of
small Importance. However, it is real
ly part of the most basic of problems,
and one which I believe cannot be
lightly brushed aside, particularly
when it is raised in the manner it has
been in the VOICE by an otherwise
consistent and courageous man of I'M
questioned good will, Mr. Lowndes
Maury.
Hats off to Gretchen Billings for her
principled and able reply; however, as
man / would not want to risk leav-
ing the matter at that point, and leave
one lone woman to contend with set
of ideas so long accepted and of such
serious implications to progressive
people. Time and space available, and
my own ability, limit to a trifle what
could and needs to be said on the ques-
ton. However, from a logical stand
point none of Mr.. Maury's statements
relative to women could not be applied
in similar manner to men generally,
or to any of the more recognized min
GRITTY groups among us who suffer from
lack of education, experience in a Civ
en- field, or prejudice by others toward
their political opinions, religion, or
the color of their skin. Surely, Mr..
Maury himself will wish to re-examine
his arguments before he accepts final
responsibility for re-phrasing Hitlers
kinder, kirch, kuche" statements.
No Reason to Expect Different Results
1t is true, as Mrs. Billings points out
that men have largely dominated So
ciety through all recorded history, and
progressives generally recognize this
is inherent in the economic relations
that have prevailed up to this time. If
a group of men with similar opportun-
tiles to those afforded most women at
tempted the same sort of problem there
is no reason to expect much different
results. Even granted that in many
ways the political and social order is
in worse condition in this country now
than in the time in which Mr.. Maury
found it good, [ am sure even he would
admit there are many and compelling
reasons for the changes aside from the
limited political participation of wo-
men.
If we must recognize here and there
measurable deficiency of women in
certain fields due to inequalities they
still suffer as a group, we are certain
ly bound to place the responsibility on
the inequalities, and not on the fact
that they are women. Having myself
had the opportunity of observing and
working with women as well as men
in a number of endeavors from field
labor to politics, I would feel shame
as a man to credit them with less than
equal ability, unSelfishness, skill and
perseverance. And as men, if we wish
to so distinguish ourselves from all of
us as people, we have a great deal to
gain from the improvement in the ma
terial and cultural conditions of life
that will accompany the liberation and
enlightenment of one-half the human
have in fact been
kept in the position of an underprivi
legged minority even to the present time
in our own country.
1t is because such illusions as Mr.. |
Maury's letter reveals contribute to
maintain this underprivileged condi-
ion to the detriment of all of us that |
he discussion is of so much import
lnce. And not the least we as men
would find women fully emancipated
much more enjoyable and interesting
than many men have ever
ret known. Let those who may remain
nconvinced of the degree of achieve
nent general among women also pom
err this questions:
If we had insisted that slaves be
ully comparable to free, men before
lavery were abolished. where would
here not be slavery today?
Yours for democracy all the, way
[AROLD RIDENOUR, West Glacier. i