[Wamvan] Hugo Schwyzer leaving "explicitly feminist spaces"

[Jarrah]

I hadn't been following the controversy - had honestly just skimmed through
the posts because I felt like most of the stuff we work on gets derailed by
focusing too much on the personal lives/credentials of the blogger. And
when I'm doing research for my blog I do try to prioritize the experiences
of those marginalized by sexism rather than those privileged.

But having looked at it more in-depth today I can understand why people are
upset, though I personally have mixed feelings about the steps Hugo should
be taking.

First, I absolutely think it was the right thing to step down from the
boards he was on - not because I think a man can't be a feminist but
because his former behaviour (specifically the drug-induced murder/suicide
attempt) is shocking and very distracting. I know I'd have a hard time
looking at anyone I worked with the same way after finding this out. And
given the importance of violence against women as a feminist issue it is
very hard to give credence as a feminist spokesperson to someone who once
practiced such violence, even if it's in the past and he's been trying to
"make amends".

Where I'm more conflicted is on his ability to teach women's studies and/or
have a public feminist voice. I think women who have experienced sexism
(cis or trans women) should be leading the feminist movement. They should
be the ones setting the agenda. But I think men do have a place and I know
some male feminists who have been positively influenced by Schwyzer's
perspective and have been more able to engage potentially than if it was
seen as a movement where only women could participate.

I also don't buy that Schwyzer prevents others from talking just by being a
recognized face of feminism, though I hope he has used his influence to
insist that women also get a place at the table when he is approached to
speak publicly on feminist topics. The internet is a big place and someone
talking doesn't necessarily preclude others from talking.

And while I find his past behaviour abhorrent and while I do not agree with
all of his views (for example the one cited in Tiger Beatdown) I have to
give him some credit for honesty and in my experience I have seen him to be
relatively willing to take to heart the criticisms levelled against him and
his privilege.

So there's my take. Thanks for bringing the issue up, Joanna. It definitely
provided some food for thought this weekend.

Jarrah

--------------------
Jarrah Hodge
@jarrahpenguin
http://gender-focus.com
Vote for Gender Focus in the final voting round of the Canadian Weblog
Awards!  <http://polldaddy.com/poll/5787419/>
--------------------

On Sun, Jan 15, 2012 at 4:30 PM, Joanna Chiu <chiu.joanna5 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I agree that the men and masculinity studies field should definitely
> develop and Hugo would do well focusing on masculinity rather than feminist studies
> in general. I don't know what I think though about how harsh public
> criticisms of his Hugo's past compelled him to scale down his feminist
> activism. I wonder whether this internet blowup against Hugo will
> discourage other male feminists from engaging in feminist activism.
>
> Have people been following the controversy? It's been interesting. It was
> sparked last month by an interview by Clarisse Thorn on Feministe blog.
> Commenters were enraged that a man who had tried to murder his
> ex-girlfriend (with gas, because he wanted to take her and himself out of
> their misery) and who had slept with his students could turn around to
> become a feminist leader and teacher and an organizer of SlutWalk LA. ://
> www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2011/12/23/on-change-and-accountability/
>
> Here's an example of one of the highly critical responses to Hugo's work
> that have appeared since the Feministe blowup.
>
>
> http://tigerbeatdown.com/2012/01/12/hugo-schwyzer-wants-to-jizz-on-the-face-of-feminism-but-not-why-you’d-think/
>
> Joanna
>
>
>
> On Jan 15, 2012, at 7:01 PM, Frieda Werden <frieda.werden at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> The men and masculinity studies field that is emerging now will
> undoubtedly have far more money thrown at it than women's studies has been
> able to muster, and soon (if not already) overtake the funding of queer
> studies.  So, it's a perfect time for this gent to leap from one boat to
> another.
>
> On Sun, Jan 15, 2012 at 12:34 PM, Joanna Chiu < <chiu.joanna5 at gmail.com>
> chiu.joanna5 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hugo just published a blog post on his website explaining why he has
>> stepped down from several projects and positions and is considering leaving
>> the women's studies department at Pasadena College. What do people think?
>>
>>  <http://www.hugoschwyzer.net/2012/01/15/moving-forward-an-update/>
>> http://www.hugoschwyzer.net/2012/01/15/moving-forward-an-update/
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Frieda Werden, Series Producer
> WINGS: Women's International News Gathering Service <http://www.wings.org>
> www.wings.org
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