You Ain't the ONLY Woman: The White Cis Grasp on Womanhood Is Failing

[suzifrommd]

You Ain't the ONLY Woman:
The White Cis Grasp on Womanhood Is Failing

By Lesli-Ann-Lewis
6/9/15

http://www.ebony.com/news-views/you-aint-the-only-woman-the-white-cis-grasp-on-womanhood-is-failing-504#axzz3ckX2h2Ve

It has become so overt and formulaic that when I opened the most recent "feminist" hot take on Jenner--Elinor Burkett's maddening "What Makes a Woman?"--it took all of two minutes for me to roll my eyes in exhaustion.
"Their truth is not my truth. Their female identities are not my female identity," wrote Burkett--a successful, upper middle class White woman, in an attempt to invalidate trans women. These recent articles and comments critiquing Black and trans women for the very things White women have historically and presently celebrate each other for femininity, self-definition and choosing their own paths, isn't about defending women- it's about defending White womanhood as the only version of womanhood (see also: Michelle Goldsberg's "What Is a Woman" for the New Yorker last year.)

[suzifrommd]

What Makes a Really Stupid Opinion About Caitlyn Jenner

Sarah Miller
6/10/15 9:15am

http://jezebel.com/how-to-make-yourself-look-stupid-when-talking-about-cai-1710183325

I tried telling myself that she was too bat<not allowed> for anyone to listen to her, but people are listening to her. People I know and respect think this piece is just wonderful. Eric Asimov, one of my personal heroes, tweeted, "Thoughtful article, well worth reading."

This is not a thoughtful article. This is an article about feelings masquerading as one about thoughts. It would only be worth reading if its title were changed to How Not to Talk About Trans Women.

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Two wonderful pieces coming from different directions, on how awful the Burkett article is.

[ainsley]

Haha! I love the Lebowski reference at the end of the 2nd article.
Another good one would be: "Burkett, you're over the line, mark it a zer0."

[Tysilio]

That "You Ain't the ONLY Woman..." piece is superb, Suzi. I just posted it to my Facebook, where a whole bunch of white feminists (and some not so white) will see it.

Miller's point about Burkett's piece being emotional rather than thoughtful is well taken. (Miller is also very funny, which I love.) I'd add that the fundamental problem with Burkett is her presumption that she (no matter who she is) is in a position to speak for all women.

[Jacqueline]

Suzi,

Well found. Thank you.

Joanna

[Maybebaby56]

What Makes a Really Stupid Opinion About Caitlyn Jenner

Sarah Miller
6/10/15 9:15am

http://jezebel.com/how-to-make-yourself-look-stupid-when-talking-about-cai-1710183325

I tried telling myself that she was too bat<not allowed> for anyone to listen to her, but people are listening to her. People I know and respect think this piece is just wonderful. Eric Asimov, one of my personal heroes, tweeted, "Thoughtful article, well worth reading."

This is not a thoughtful article. This is an article about feelings masquerading as one about thoughts. It would only be worth reading if its title were changed to How Not to Talk About Trans Women.

===================
Two wonderful pieces coming from different directions, on how awful the Burkett article is.

I really liked the jezebel piece.  And for probably the first time ever, the comments that readers made to that article I felt were wonderful and spot-on!

Yay!

Terri