Blog discussion on feminist discourse and masculinity with no clear powerful actors

ranks with The Oppressive Class means we can ruthlessly use their power for good. Can we do better at making feminist discourses around gender and sexuality open to normative men, without driving ourselves crazy? How can we make our movement open to, and accepting of, normative men? Put another way, how do we convince normative men to support us? Maybe we don't need a lot of normative men in the camp of sex and gender radicals; maybe we'll be happier without silly Gender Studies 101 questions clotting our discussions. Still, even if we don't try to "recruit" them, I'd love to see more widespread analysis of masculinity and masculine sexuality amongst normative dudes... if only because getting a sense for their societal boxes might simply make them happier. If only because I think they've got their own liberation to strive for. So at the very least, I'd like to contribute to an America where serious examination of masculinity and male sexuality can flourish. That's my final question. How do I do it? TK OK ok The above entries originally appeared at: and part-2-mens-rights/ and http://clarissethorn.com/blog/2009/10/24/questions-i-want-to-ask-entitled-cis-het-men- part-3-space-for-men/ The first followup (plus many many comments) is available at: http://clarissethorn.com/blog/2009/12/09/manliness-and-feminism-the-followup/ EDUCATION: [theory] Sexual ABCs in Africa, Part 1: Abstinence In 2009-2010, I spent a year in sub-Saharan Africa working on HIV mitigation. It was fascinating, frustrating, heartbreaking work. I learned an enormous amount about the possibilities and pitfalls of foreign aid, public health, and global injustice -- far more than I could ever summarize in an introductory paragraph. Maybe someday I'll write HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_018580