I am incredibly angry

[gollygee]

The phrase "Pro-Choice" has a political definition, and it's one specific to the struggle of women to retain our reproductive rights. For a man to use that phrase in an attempt to justify the porn industry is BEYOND repugnant. It is dismissive of the real struggle women have had and it's done intentionally to dismiss the arguments of women. I wish we still had Ask The Administrators because I am really pissed off about this. I alerted but I don't think that's enough.

[Katherine Brengle]

1. I am with you on that. It trivializes the shit we've had to go through to get

even basic reproductive rights, shit we are STILL going through today, while attempting to bolster porn as some sort of women's liberation movement.

I'm so sick of this.

[gollygee]

2. I sent a message straight to Skinner about it

and alerted.

That is complete bullshit. If I co-opted a phrase that is used by any other group dealing with any other kind of civil rights and turned the phrase around to dismiss that specific group and trivialize their civil rights, it would not be allowed at DU. Sadly, I'm not sure if this will be allowed.

[noamnety]

3. I would be shocked if it was deleted

I completely understand your point. Equating a statement that women are exploited in and as a result of the porn industry with forcing women to give birth against their will is vile.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

5. It won't be. That analogy is perfectly acceptable on DU

They've been using it since I got here. I take it as a thinly veiled threat. Either we cheerfully accept porn or they'll withdraw their support of our reproductive freedom. Which just goes to show that their support was pretty hollow anyway.
They've always seen it as leverage to use against us, if needed.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

4. That's why I made sure that a statement about that was included in the Pro-Choice Group rules

I suspected some porn and prostitution enthusiasts would show up and use it as a platform to advance their views.

I've also come to the sad realization that a lot of male DUers, and other so-called progressive dudes only identify as such because of porn or some other personal liberty issue. Otherwise, they are Social Darwinist conservatives, through and through. The idea of empathizing with a person or group that is different from them is an anathema. The idea that some "choices" are not made in anything resembling a free context is something they will not trouble their beautiful minds with.

[ismnotwasm]

6. They wont look at the industry itself

That says enough. They just want to see the porn. And cry about "rights" And "empowering" women. My favorite; "What makes you think women can't make decisions on their own?" Women who work in the sex industry get indignant-- never once wondering why it's so easy to get into. How did Twistyfaster put it? "The fun feminist confuses “empowerment” with the decision to acquiesce." Men just say Yeah, baby, I'm on YOUR side. It's all bullshit.

I just saw yet ANOTHER accusation of "sexual repression" I'm the least sexually repressed person I know. I know what I want, what I like and how to communicate it clearly. Without "issues". Without acquiescence.

[BlueIris]

7. Agree. 'Member that poll I made asking if DU.com was the most misogynist it had ever been

at the time I made said poll, which was back in May?

Guess we have our definite answer now. Still a long way to go until we hit "Peak Misogyny."

[gollygee]

8. Well I've heard back from Skinner

He said that is an acceptable use of the phrase "pro-choice". I'm outta here.