On the Judith butler note — while I really enjoy some of their theorizing (esp their essay “gender is burning” (1993) in which they examine gendered interpellation) — I have found that I’m really moved by a more Marxist, utopian gender lens recently. Instead of abolishing gender or moving towards gender neutrality, we can orient our struggle towards abolishing cisness as a means of achieving gender abundance and an excess of gender. On this note I would really really recommend Jules Gil-Peterson’s recent book “A Short History of Transmisogyny” esp the last chapter, in which she proposes leaning into gender abundance and embracing “mujerísima” a concept that acknowledges the work of Latin American transfemmes who resist categorization and embrace excess. I would also really recommend full surrogacy now by sophie Lewis (a Marxist feminist look at care and commercial surrogacy practices) esp the chapter (which is also published online) on amniotechnics. Lastly I think the recent collection of critical essays “Feminism Against Cisness” edited by Emma Heaney is another great place to look and engage with the idea of cisness as a structuring force.
This is not at all to criticize what you were writing — I really agree with a lot of it, I just think that my understanding of gender was really shaped by Butler for a long time and I am enjoying orienting my praxis around a more Marxist transfeminism recently and think you may as well :-)
The saddest part is that at the end of her piece she almost starts into an interesting discussion of how the power to not be seen can be meaningful for women. But any actual analysis is crushed under just an insane amount of condescension and nastiness.
I don’t even have much of a following, but the following that I do have on various platforms is because I am willing to share overly personal information about myself. I am much less bothered than most by talking to people in person or online about my miscarriages or journey to having my daughter, and I have been told that I am “brave” to be willing to put myself out there where so many other people don’t want to talk about it. I don’t feel brave because I am genuinely not all that uncomfortable sharing.
Even when we don’t have that many people reading, there would really be no point if absolutely no one looked at anything. We all want someone to read our writing and engage with it otherwise we wouldn’t write online at all.
Can we also stop writing the same posts about ‘girlhood’ while not actually saying anything new or original? If I see that term once more on my timeline I shall cringe rather hard x
Yes I was one of the people agreeing with the author of the other author you're talking about, I filled up that comment section with my discussion 😅😂 I think some of what she was saying got a bit misconstrued, I don't think that she meant to shame women for their choices, but just to question why some participate in this form of branding and if it should be used on Substack. There was also the added component of how these women sexualize themselves by also glamourizing eating disorders etc. But I can understand how maybe some aspects of the tone of the article didn't sit right with people.
However, I also find myself agreeing with you, that we all in some way are trying to seek attention online, using different tactics to promote our writing, art, etc. And why should one way of doing this be condemned and not others?
Both your post and the post you're responding to gave me a lot to think about. It's something I've wrestled with personally as a woman who has witnessed the harms of pornography in our culture, but has also benefitted from sexual liberation. I got into a lengthy discussion with one of my mutuals on the original post as I'm sure people saw 😅 and I did get a lot out of seeing another perspective on this topic! And now presented with your post, I'm rethinking my assumptions some more. Thanks for sharing!
On the Judith butler note — while I really enjoy some of their theorizing (esp their essay “gender is burning” (1993) in which they examine gendered interpellation) — I have found that I’m really moved by a more Marxist, utopian gender lens recently. Instead of abolishing gender or moving towards gender neutrality, we can orient our struggle towards abolishing cisness as a means of achieving gender abundance and an excess of gender. On this note I would really really recommend Jules Gil-Peterson’s recent book “A Short History of Transmisogyny” esp the last chapter, in which she proposes leaning into gender abundance and embracing “mujerísima” a concept that acknowledges the work of Latin American transfemmes who resist categorization and embrace excess. I would also really recommend full surrogacy now by sophie Lewis (a Marxist feminist look at care and commercial surrogacy practices) esp the chapter (which is also published online) on amniotechnics. Lastly I think the recent collection of critical essays “Feminism Against Cisness” edited by Emma Heaney is another great place to look and engage with the idea of cisness as a structuring force.
This is not at all to criticize what you were writing — I really agree with a lot of it, I just think that my understanding of gender was really shaped by Butler for a long time and I am enjoying orienting my praxis around a more Marxist transfeminism recently and think you may as well :-)
Love Sophie Lewis! Will def check some of this out - ty
I very much appreciate these recommendations, thank you ❣️
delicious take for the take machine
The saddest part is that at the end of her piece she almost starts into an interesting discussion of how the power to not be seen can be meaningful for women. But any actual analysis is crushed under just an insane amount of condescension and nastiness.
I have no idea what you’re talking about but I’m here for it. Because I agree. We’re all a little whorish
you had me at “can I be mean for a second” my mouth is already watering
another long day of toil at the take mines
while understanding the intention of not sharing the post even more, can someone point me in the right direction for what we're talking about 😭
"we are all whores." is a pretty fun line
Say it!!!
this truly is a tiny ecosystem. i know exactly what posts you’re alluding to…
I don’t even have much of a following, but the following that I do have on various platforms is because I am willing to share overly personal information about myself. I am much less bothered than most by talking to people in person or online about my miscarriages or journey to having my daughter, and I have been told that I am “brave” to be willing to put myself out there where so many other people don’t want to talk about it. I don’t feel brave because I am genuinely not all that uncomfortable sharing.
Even when we don’t have that many people reading, there would really be no point if absolutely no one looked at anything. We all want someone to read our writing and engage with it otherwise we wouldn’t write online at all.
I like your voice. You remind me of my younger sister. Keep writing, chief—you’ve got a great mind and a sense of wit. That’s rare these days.
Can we also stop writing the same posts about ‘girlhood’ while not actually saying anything new or original? If I see that term once more on my timeline I shall cringe rather hard x
Yes I was one of the people agreeing with the author of the other author you're talking about, I filled up that comment section with my discussion 😅😂 I think some of what she was saying got a bit misconstrued, I don't think that she meant to shame women for their choices, but just to question why some participate in this form of branding and if it should be used on Substack. There was also the added component of how these women sexualize themselves by also glamourizing eating disorders etc. But I can understand how maybe some aspects of the tone of the article didn't sit right with people.
However, I also find myself agreeing with you, that we all in some way are trying to seek attention online, using different tactics to promote our writing, art, etc. And why should one way of doing this be condemned and not others?
Both your post and the post you're responding to gave me a lot to think about. It's something I've wrestled with personally as a woman who has witnessed the harms of pornography in our culture, but has also benefitted from sexual liberation. I got into a lengthy discussion with one of my mutuals on the original post as I'm sure people saw 😅 and I did get a lot out of seeing another perspective on this topic! And now presented with your post, I'm rethinking my assumptions some more. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t think this is as mean as U might expect, someone needed to responsibly counter lest a reader mindlessly absorb & accept. Ty for ur service
SOOO TRUE. lol