Calling out Fellow Progressives for Sexism prevents Unity on the Left"

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Feminism 101: "Calling Out Fellow Progressives for Sexism Prevents Unity on the Left"
| posted by Melissa McEwan | Thursday, February 28, 2008 | permalink |

Also see: Circular Firing Squad.

This oft-wielded cudgel to silence feminists who cry foul at sexism expressed by political allies is wrong for the following reason, which I cannot state any more succinctly than this: When someone engages in divisive behavior, any resulting division is their responsibility.

It is, simply, not the duty of any person who is repeatedly subjected to alienating language, images, behaviors, and/or legislation to nonetheless never complain and pledge fealty from the margins. If women, men of color, gay/bi/ trans men, et. al. are valued, then they should not be demeaned—and if they are demeaned, they should not be expected to pretend it does not matter.