Andrea Dworkin

[firecat]

From an article by Susie Bright about Andrea Dworkin (but not an obituary as someone characterized it; it was written in 2000). I'm not entirely comfortable with the subject and general tone of the article, but this was really well said and is primarily what I have been thinking about since learning that Dworkin has died.

Dworkin, as veteran observers know, is usually depicted as a shrill fatty. It's painful to read mainstream media coverage of her, because they insist that her entire reputation can be distilled to a lack of fashion sense, a fatal lack of "femininity." I don't think there's a female public figure alive who's been more castigated for their looks. It's frightening to consider that, if she was slim and blonde ( like MacKinnon) she would actually be treated in the diminutive; her views would be considered with at least a modicum of respect. But I don't care how loud or fat she is, in fact those are probably two of my favorite things about her, because they express her defiance.

Comments

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

It's possible they would have found soemthing else too. I only say, and not at all to argue your point but that I see the judging a lot at work. I had a situation that got pretty close to harassment this year with one of my newest people who is not American (not that being American has saved me from it either.)

I want to say it reminded me of highschool but it is so much worse. I don't know if it is worse when it is close to me or public figures. It really bothers me in both cases.

I read the post of sg's link this morning. I am not familar with the situation and I only found Suzie Bright last year but as a relatively uninformed outsider I liked it. I have soemone high up in the organziation who I really admire, and who is not favorably disposed towards me. It reminded me of that.

It was difficult to realize this. I still respect and admire her very much but I continue to know it's not reciprocated, and she has also doen soem nasty things. Getting past that, and with others was challenging. Also good for me, I think.

I was reading Parallels and Paradoxes: Explorations in Music and Society, by Daniel Barenboim and Edward W Said last week. Aside from being a wonderful book in general, I thought, one of the things I admire about the dialogues is the way they exist in a place of both mutual respect and friendship and disagreeing viewpoints.

It's one of the things I have been grateful for at most points since I've come online. It doesn't seem to be also possible; but when it is it is wonderful to see, or be a part of.