Reply #40: people learn misogyny, just as they learn racism

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homophobia...and so on. a part of the problem in combatting "isms" is combatting the belief that these "isms" are natural, if not completely biologically predetermined, certainly justifiable in some way, e.g., religious/cultural traditions. i suppose it's difficult for some to accept being told their beliefs, sanctioned in many ways, and often encouraged and reinforced by experience (since your focus becomes your experience), are really just character flaws, when all is said and done. these character flaws, btw, are routinely manipulated by the same social/political forces who are the enemies of the people who allow themselves to be used....divide and conquer.

and the basis of these character flaws: the need to feel superior, to dominate and to control. the cure: an evolution of consciouness. much like other addictions, the first step is to admit you have a problem. and because of social conditioning and reinforcement...this path is sometimes the road not travelled at all.

feminism is a threat to the manfactured order that worked so well to control women and keep them in their place...with men having complete economic, social and political hegemony...meted out depending on class and race. it worked to keep men trapped in proscribed social roles as well.

the civil rights movement is a threat to the manufactured order that worked to control and limit the ability of people of color/glbt people/disabled people/and so on to participate as full citizens in american society...as the social, economic and psychological equals of the dominant cultural group.

the backlash against these movements continues...

if we learned nothing else in the past 20-30 years, we should all know that we can't afford to be complacent any longer.
zero tolerance.