Comments on: Higher learning: being an uncomfortable feminist in 2008 http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/ Life, work and whatever in the world of DJZ. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:47:15 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: deanna zandt » Conferences and the shallow end of the gene pool http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3294 deanna zandt » Conferences and the shallow end of the gene pool Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:01:23 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3294 [...] privilege and explain to those who don’t get it why this is important. (I know I said I was giving up bridge-building, but if I’m going to maintain my sanity in conference season, I’ve got to say [...] [...] privilege and explain to those who don't get it why this is important. (I know I said I was giving up bridge-building, but if I'm going to maintain my sanity in conference season, I've got to say [...]

]]> By: Shireen http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3213 Shireen Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:25:30 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3213 This is a great piece. It has been very difficult to talk sometimes when you need to be listening. As a woman of color I have also had that as a concern (talking when I need to be listening) but I have always noticed if the people in the room think they are in a safe space they generally don't want to hear my perspective, especially if they can't identify with it. The thing to remember is that a "safe" space for you isn't always a safe space for "others". If you are the only white feminist in the room would you feel like you were in a "safe" space. I have to think about that every time I show up to a "feminist" event. It is so easy to remain the rooms with sameness. I purposely don't, it is just too easy. This is a great piece. It has been very difficult to talk sometimes when you need to be listening. As a woman of color I have also had that as a concern (talking when I need to be listening) but I have always noticed if the people in the room think they are in a safe space they generally don't want to hear my perspective, especially if they can't identify with it. The thing to remember is that a "safe" space for you isn't always a safe space for "others". If you are the only white feminist in the room would you feel like you were in a "safe" space. I have to think about that every time I show up to a "feminist" event. It is so easy to remain the rooms with sameness. I purposely don't, it is just too easy.

]]> By: Adele http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3205 Adele Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:44:33 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3205 Also new to your site (came by way of Jill Zimon). Stopping by to also listen. Thanks, Adele Also new to your site (came by way of Jill Zimon). Stopping by to also listen.

Thanks,

Adele

]]> By: Whiteness : Elaine Vigneault http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3181 Whiteness : Elaine Vigneault Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:28:49 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3181 [...] allies of people of color. Submit your essays here, at Angry Black Woman’s blog >> We don’t have the answers, but we can work on making progress. addthis_url = [...] [...] allies of people of color. Submit your essays here, at Angry Black Woman's blog >> We don't have the answers, but we can work on making progress. addthis_url = [...]

]]> By: Link Loving : Elaine Vigneault http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3179 Link Loving : Elaine Vigneault Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:26:28 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3179 [...] Higher learning: being an uncomfortable feminist in 2008 - It’s a reminder to engage. Snippet: “Throughout this intake process, I’ve become more uncomfortable, instead of less so, and this makes me think I’m probably on the right path.” [...] [...] Higher learning: being an uncomfortable feminist in 2008 – It's a reminder to engage. Snippet: "Throughout this intake process, I've become more uncomfortable, instead of less so, and this makes me think I'm probably on the right path." [...]

]]> By: deanna zandt http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3176 deanna zandt Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:45:26 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3176 Hey, thanks for stopping by, brotherpeacemaker -- we find allies in the strangest places, yesh. Hey, thanks for stopping by, brotherpeacemaker — we find allies in the strangest places, yesh.

]]> By: brotherpeacemaker http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3175 brotherpeacemaker Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:33:40 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3175 I saw your comment over on AfroSpear and thought I'd pay a visit. I enjoyed your essay tremendously. And I though feminism was one of the furthest things from my mind. Peace I saw your comment over on AfroSpear and thought I'd pay a visit. I enjoyed your essay tremendously. And I though feminism was one of the furthest things from my mind.

Peace

]]> By: deanna zandt http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3169 deanna zandt Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:42:39 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3169 Oooooo, that's a good one, Elaine. I loved that line about the firetrucks. Oooooo, that's a good one, Elaine. I loved that line about the firetrucks.

]]> By: Elaine Vigneault http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3164 Elaine Vigneault Sat, 19 Apr 2008 05:41:59 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3164 I read this same concept here a week ago: http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/expectations-for-expecting-answers/ It's a good one. Here's a snippet: <blockquote>And yet somehow we expect people who talk about these conditions to be the ones to have all the answers for a solution. Nobody calls the newsroom of the local television station and complain because they report all of the happenings in the community without giving a solution. Nobody tells the person who calls 9-1-1 and reports a fire to get their own fire truck before they have the audacity to bring people’s attention to the fact that somebody’s house is burning down. The fire alarm isn’t covered with a sign that says “break glass in case of fire only if you have a solution.” But somehow, for some reason, we expect those of us who are vocal about the disparity in the black community to have the answers in order to give our observations legitimacy.</blockquote> I read this same concept here a week ago: http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/expectations-for-expecting-answers/
It's a good one. Here's a snippet:

And yet somehow we expect people who talk about these conditions to be the ones to have all the answers for a solution. Nobody calls the newsroom of the local television station and complain because they report all of the happenings in the community without giving a solution. Nobody tells the person who calls 9-1-1 and reports a fire to get their own fire truck before they have the audacity to bring people’s attention to the fact that somebody’s house is burning down. The fire alarm isn’t covered with a sign that says “break glass in case of fire only if you have a solution.” But somehow, for some reason, we expect those of us who are vocal about the disparity in the black community to have the answers in order to give our observations legitimacy.

]]> By: Feministe » Having “The Answers” http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3162 Feministe » Having “The Answers” Sat, 19 Apr 2008 04:42:17 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3162 [...] This essay feels very familiar. You should read it all — but this section in particular struck me: It’s hard to write “I don’t know.” I just read an interview with Spike Lee in this week’s New York Magazine that was sort of a retrospective of “Do The Right Thing.” His comment about critics who ripped the movie apart was telling: he was criticized because he didn’t have an “answer to racism” at the end of the film. Because, you know, a movie could do that. And if you’re so smart, Mr. Smarty Pants, smart enough to make this whole movie with all these complex characters, then how come you’re not smart enough to have an answer at the end? [...] [...] This essay feels very familiar. You should read it all — but this section in particular struck me: It’s hard to write “I don’t know.” I just read an interview with Spike Lee in this week’s New York Magazine that was sort of a retrospective of “Do The Right Thing.” His comment about critics who ripped the movie apart was telling: he was criticized because he didn’t have an “answer to racism” at the end of the film. Because, you know, a movie could do that. And if you’re so smart, Mr. Smarty Pants, smart enough to make this whole movie with all these complex characters, then how come you’re not smart enough to have an answer at the end? [...]

]]> By: April 16, 2008 Links « Doing Feminism http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3157 April 16, 2008 Links « Doing Feminism Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:01:07 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3157 [...] Deanna Zandt: “Higher learning: being an uncomfortable feminist in 2008″ Deanna offers some personal insight into WAM! (Women, Action, and the Media) and the discomforts of being a feminist. [...] [...] Deanna Zandt: "Higher learning: being an uncomfortable feminist in 2008" Deanna offers some personal insight into WAM! (Women, Action, and the Media) and the discomforts of being a feminist. [...]

]]> By: Sarah Karpman http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3154 Sarah Karpman Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:36:48 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3154 wow Deanna, great essay. I did a lot of similar muttering, and then, I swear, I had this moment of joy when I thought "hey! I'm actually doing it! I'm actually recognizing that other people see the world differently than I do, and that it matters! I'm actually living with discomfort!" it's a cool feeling, to realize that your world is expanding, isn't it? glad you wrote this. wow Deanna, great essay. I did a lot of similar muttering, and then, I swear, I had this moment of joy when I thought "hey! I'm actually doing it! I'm actually recognizing that other people see the world differently than I do, and that it matters! I'm actually living with discomfort!" it's a cool feeling, to realize that your world is expanding, isn't it?

glad you wrote this.

]]> By: ilyka http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3153 ilyka Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:57:15 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3153 Nothing clever to say--I just really enjoyed this post. This made me wince in recognition: <blockquote>The moment that I realized I was talking to myself while stirring pasta on the stove, a la “Well let me just tell you something…”, I knew something profound was happening in my psyche. Said pasta nearly hit the floor when I realized that much of the defensive words I was spouting were the same words that mainstream non-feminists (often men) had thrown at me when I called into question their recruitment and organizing tactics. (”But we just don’t know that many women who do [insert job here]!”)</blockquote> I don't think I happened to be stirring pasta when that first hit me, but otherwise, exactly. Like a kick in the gut. I'm another loudmouth, I love arguing, I love telling people off, and it hurt to recognize myself in the role of the same jerks I most enjoyed telling off. Surely not sweet wonderful me! Oof. Nothing clever to say–I just really enjoyed this post. This made me wince in recognition:

The moment that I realized I was talking to myself while stirring pasta on the stove, a la “Well let me just tell you something…”, I knew something profound was happening in my psyche. Said pasta nearly hit the floor when I realized that much of the defensive words I was spouting were the same words that mainstream non-feminists (often men) had thrown at me when I called into question their recruitment and organizing tactics. (”But we just don’t know that many women who do [insert job here]!”)

I don't think I happened to be stirring pasta when that first hit me, but otherwise, exactly. Like a kick in the gut. I'm another loudmouth, I love arguing, I love telling people off, and it hurt to recognize myself in the role of the same jerks I most enjoyed telling off. Surely not sweet wonderful me! Oof.

]]> By: liza http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3151 liza Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:40:35 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3151 give me a day or two. i don't believe in THE ANSWER the same way i don't believe in a god (thank you Niestzche) but like Gayatri Chakravorti would encourage, i have threads and they are plenty. give me a day or two. i don't believe in THE ANSWER the same way i don't believe in a god (thank you Niestzche) but like Gayatri Chakravorti would encourage, i have threads and they are plenty.

]]> By: Sudy http://www.deannazandt.com/2008/04/14/higher-learning-being-an-uncomfortable-feminist-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3148 Sudy Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:16:41 +0000 http://www.deannazandt.com/?p=102#comment-3148 Newbie. Poking my head in and saying hello :) Newbie.
Poking my head in and saying hello :)

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