That entire situation is deeply sad, and it was so unnecessary.
I find Amanda Marcotte's writing invigorating and intriguing, and I will probably continue to read her blog. But it will be with a huge grain of salt. I've been appalled at how she's behaved throughout this, and in some ways even more appalled at the behavior of her defenders. I have my own shortcomings when it comes to being sensitive to all the nuances of other people's issues, but it's blown my mind just how insensitive they've all been, ladling out the same condescending and dismissive treatment they rightfully call out when men dish it out to feminists. One of her regulars, a white man who states that he is not a feminist, made a snide comment about how the feminist blogosphere thrives on "outrage." Yes, I guess if none of your own oxen are being gored, it's easy to write off other people's anger as self-righteous temper tantrums, isn't it?
Nor was I that impressed by her mea culpa the other day, which dealt only with the illustrations in her book, not with her appropriation from BFP and other bloggers — and she sneered at criticism of those illustrations at least as early as last summer.
I sympathize with Pam Spaulding, who's tried to bridge the two sides diplomatically and insightfully but who must really feel caught in the middle.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Well said.
Date: 2008-04-27 07:18 pm (UTC)I find Amanda Marcotte's writing invigorating and intriguing, and I will probably continue to read her blog. But it will be with a huge grain of salt. I've been appalled at how she's behaved throughout this, and in some ways even more appalled at the behavior of her defenders. I have my own shortcomings when it comes to being sensitive to all the nuances of other people's issues, but it's blown my mind just how insensitive they've all been, ladling out the same condescending and dismissive treatment they rightfully call out when men dish it out to feminists. One of her regulars, a white man who states that he is not a feminist, made a snide comment about how the feminist blogosphere thrives on "outrage." Yes, I guess if none of your own oxen are being gored, it's easy to write off other people's anger as self-righteous temper tantrums, isn't it?
Nor was I that impressed by her mea culpa the other day, which dealt only with the illustrations in her book, not with her appropriation from BFP and other bloggers — and she sneered at criticism of those illustrations at least as early as last summer.
I sympathize with Pam Spaulding, who's tried to bridge the two sides diplomatically and insightfully but who must really feel caught in the middle.