tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093499986237480423.post6887528810382014576..comments2023-03-26T15:27:37.450+08:00Comments on begin again...: Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09816650270802955615noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093499986237480423.post-22262260165738974902013-03-14T06:51:50.400+08:002013-03-14T06:51:50.400+08:00Hello Lady Starlight:
Here are the four questions...Hello Lady Starlight:<br /><br />Here are the four questions that you asked.<br /><br />Come see my wardrobe some time.<br /><br />"<b>How do you dress?</b>"<br /><br />Varies on the seasons, the conditions, how my body is feeling that day, and my mind and emotions. I am wearing an orange T-shirt which I won as a prize; black exercise pants and white tennis shoes which are light on my feet and suitable for adventures, though not for heavy walking. <br /><br />"<b>Why do you dress like that?</b>"<br /><br />Because I feel fit and strong; because it's ethical and not harsh on the environment. These are congruent with some fairly central values of mine. And because I love orange and black.<br /><br />"<b>Do you think how you dress inhibits sex positivity and feminism?</b>"<br /><br />Given that sex positivity encourages various means of expression and communication and tends to minimise judgement, I feel like I'm contributing to a safe and equal world.<br /><br />In as far as agency and autonomy are promoted ...<br /><br />And given that you [Starlight] said about "Women who have lived and died to be free to wear what they wear" ... <br /><br />"<b>What are your views on women who dress differently to you?</b>"<br /><br />I try to get a sense of the shape and profile and how they may feel. Some feelings I have are probably: enlightened, inspired, confused. When I see that another woman has really thought about what she has worn and why she is wearing it ... Clothes are a tool, and many religions and philosophies do recognise this - as of course do various manifestations of culture and society.<br /><br />Something about distraction and competence needs to go here. (It's definitely a consideration!)<br /><br />* * *<br /><br />Another intersection to think about, especially among a variety of people.<br /><br />Age!<br /><br />One oppression/suppression that I fought against in my own life is the one about being "age-appropriate". And it's a battle I may or may not fight all my life - even though the shape and the thrust of the battle changes over time.<br /><br />And clothes are a really good way to reflect changes in status and in your own life. I do not necessarily dress as I did when I was a teenager and a student.<br /><br />I like to think of tools and symbols. Many of my understandings of symbolism come from the sporting world, as well as maritime.<br /><br />Belonging and significance.<br /><br />And a big issue is "self-censorship as health". I like to think that health is a central motif in my substance and style. So things like posture and stance do matter. Though this can be taken too far, feeling like a "rack".<br /><br />Respect is also pretty big, especially for history and experience.<br /><br />Another time I might wear a "learning" uniform/outfit.Adelaide Duponthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490123934889071074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093499986237480423.post-31222740088475676932013-03-13T23:05:00.925+08:002013-03-13T23:05:00.925+08:00I would definitely ask a man about sexism! Sexism ...I would definitely ask a man about sexism! Sexism is not purely aimed at women, and even if a man had not experienced sexism first hand he'd certainly have an opinion on it. <br /><br />I have discussed on many occasions the topic of 'what does and does not suppress women'. This is just one of those many topics. I have always found it astounding that people have used religion to hide behind, when in reality this argument is no different to any other I have presented. It's about agency, autonomy and choice. I have never disputed that religion can be a choice, but it can also not be disputed that religion sometimes is not a choice. <br /><br />Perhaps I will never fully understand this issue. I have admitted that. Nobody really understands anything. But I will not have my views and my opinions discredited and I will not be silenced in this discussion because I present my argument as an atheist woman and not a Muslim one. When it comes to discussing secularism nobody would dare tell a Muslim woman that she doesn't know what she's talking about. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093499986237480423.post-2455371728202720672013-03-13T23:00:19.648+08:002013-03-13T23:00:19.648+08:00this is not about "what does and does not opp...this is not about "what does and does not oppress women" though<br />because those who wear the hijab or other islamic headdresses are not just women, they are muslim women, their religious identity intersects with their identity as a women and the two can not be separated<br />a muslim women faces different oppression than non-muslim women<br />okay here's an example<br />you wouldn't let a man tell you how sexism works because he would never have and never will experience sexism and does not understand what it is to be a woman<br />similarly, a non-muslim woman can not tell a muslim woman how their oppression works because a non-muslim women will never be oppressed as a muslim woman and will never understand it<br /><br />i suggest reading feminist literature about intersectionality <br />i think an important part of feminism is understanding that not every battle is your own and not every experience is your ownslippihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07634089435979004225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093499986237480423.post-5785530751488841572013-03-13T22:44:59.743+08:002013-03-13T22:44:59.743+08:00I am sorry that you appear to be offended by my th...I am sorry that you appear to be offended by my thoughts in this blog post. I clearly state that I support religious freedom and the right to do and wear whatever you like, I was simply discussing different motives and how these intersect and clash with other values held by society. I'm not deciding what's best for Muslim women at all and it would be a sad day if ever the Islamic culture was to vanish entirely. <br /><br />But I do think it is my place to decide what does and does not oppress women. As a feminist it is my work to discuss and promote awareness to issues such as discrimination against women, violence against women, gendercide and other issues, many of which are based in religion. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com