Comments on: Twisting motherhood

By: Myrna the Minx

Myrna the Minx — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:47:30 +0000

"I'm often frustrated that mommy-blogging is pointed to as the Grand Phenomenon of Women Online, and I resent that my non-motherhood status is questioned regularly."

I'm one of those women too. I sometimes feels like I am left out of two conversations–women with children and men, but I'm fine with it most of the time. Going to BlogHer last year put me front and center with the idea that I am so NOT the blogger mainstream cares about because exhibitors definitely weren't interested in my childless ass. That helped me define myself so it was a very useful experience. I came away thinking I'm a woman who is an activist blogger, not a woman who blogs if that makes sense.

Thanks for the above statement~

By: fawngonemad

fawngonemad — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:15:57 +0000

This is difficult territory, for sure. I'm not a regular reader of Twisty's, tho clearly we have something in common because I confess to hating heels* and I often find myself wishing I knew more women who didn't have kids and were likely never going to.

I'm less judgmental about it nowdays — maybe because I'm growing older (I'm now 36), maybe because I'm feeling increasingly burned out on feminist debates and just don't feel like getting into it anymore, maybe because I realize that there's just no resolvable answer.

Like you say, let's hope we're all being enlightened through these endless feminist blog-wars.

* I only hate the heels, not the person wearing them. (I love you, Deanna!)

Also, good use of the word buckwild!

By: deanna zandt

deanna zandt — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:23:11 +0000

Heh, that kinda reminds me of this blogger meeting with Bill Clinton that I randomly got to be a part of a couple months ago... I just remember sitting there listening to him thinking, "Damn, I disagree with every single thing you're saying, but I still *really* like you for some reason."

By: NataliaAntonova

NataliaAntonova — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:19:40 +0000

The quality of Twisty's writing is always excellent. It's the *sentiment* that I, unfortunately, find myself in disagreement with.

There's nothing quite like a good writer with whom you disagree, though.

By: deanna zandt

deanna zandt — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:45:57 +0000

Hey Natalia, thanks for coming over. I may have confused you, yes– but I felt like your post was the most thorough of the arguments I saw in the "con" department. (and I mean that as a compliment. ;-) )

As for the quality of writing, I think this is ultimately a taste issue. As I mentioned, I don't agree with her often. But I think it's fabulous that she's putting her stuff out there, and while she's not the only great radfem blogger, she totally has my sense of humor and I dig it. I might be sorry one day, but hell, I'll have had a good time.

By: NataliaAntonova

NataliaAntonova — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:41:11 +0000

Hi Deanna. I'm not a parent, so I was a bit confused when I saw that you're linking to my response to Twisty with the words "all mothers everywhere." Maybe you're mixing me up with someone else?

As for your general sentiment – well, as much as I appreciate the good of Twisty's writing, I more often find myself marveling at the bad. I don't think that her brand of radical feminism is particularly progressive or helpful to people outside of her loyal commentariat. And no, I wouldn't consider myself to be the pot to Twisty's kettle, considering the fact that I do not view her as someone who is on my side. Same ballpark? Sure, but more often I simply walk away from Twisty's blog with the impression that it all boils down to – "and you, patriarchy-pleasing fembot, will be SORRY one day."