I find it very interesting that people with first world problems

[antigone382]

122. Yes, but can we talk about male privilege at all without being accused of demonizing men?

( On Edit Note: the question above does not assume that you think any particular way about these issues. Your post was just a starting point for me to express my own long-winded thoughts.)

The two are not synonymous, but they are often treated as such. It is not demonizing to assert the obvious fact that if one group is oppressed, another group must be privileged over them. it is not demonizing to describe the ways that gender norms, as practiced by both men and women perpetuate a system that ultimately oppresses women (and oppresses many men, too). It is not demonizing to ask both men and women to think deeply about the ways that they think about gender, sexuality, responsibility, choice, and even their own identities in a critical way. I have seen gender oppression portrayed more or less as a zero-sum game by anti-feminist or MRA men on this board. I think that is a sad way to view the situation. There is good evidence that a lot of the disproportionate sufferings of men (such as reduced life expectancy, increased rates of incarceration, and increased risk of being injured in a violent attack) are a result of patriarchal gender norms that create imbalances and disparities for everyone. Both men and women really can win, but we do both have to think about our thoughts, behaviors, and actions for that to work.

Unfortunately sexism is pervasive enough that I don't expect it to be absent from our reactions to even the most noble display of a female body, as that presented by Amina. This does not mean that I disagree with her tactic; I admire her bravery and support her wholeheartedly. However, I am aware that there will be responses to her act that will seek to exploit those images for ultimately sexist ends; and there were certainly contributions to the various threads today that had much more to do with goading *American* feminists (and, I do think, with titillating a more or less anti-feminist audience) than they did with supporting a *Tunisian* feminist. Amina's images of herself are very powerful and beautiful. However, I have no doubt that there will be--and probably already have been--presentations of those images within the American internet community that will be intended for sexual objectification.

That isn't really Amina's problem; she is fighting patriarchy as she faces it in the manner that she deems most effective. To the extent her images are exploited for other ends than those that she intends, condemnation rests solely with those who exploit her. However, it is a problem for American feminists; and if I may offer a defense of those whose reactions may have been disrespectful or inconsiderate of what Amina is fighting for, the fact is that feminists are human beings, as vulnerable to ethnocentrism and a lack of awareness of their first world privilege as any other group.

Moreover, when it comes to the issue of body image and sexuality, it is enormously difficult--and admittedly somewhat subjective--to disentangle that which is truly empowering from that which only feigns empowerment with the actual goal of objectification. Even offering this as a subject of discussion or critical thought makes one vulnerable to charges of extremism, censorship, and prudishness--no matter how carefully or explicitly one makes the case that you are not advocating any of the over-the-top things you are accused of. It is easy to understand why emotions run high. I will hold out hope that those feminists who reacted to Amina's actions in a judgmental or inappropriate way will recognize where their perspectives might be limited by privilege, just as I hold out hope for some men who feel threatened or demonized by the discussion of privilege itself.