gdp's Comments

Womanist Musings : Re-claiming Subversion.

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 02:44:14 +0000

No, I'd agree about that too, eugenics needs to die a very permanent death from mainstream ideology, At the same time, keep patience with me on this one, somewhere I also feel that people who abort fetuses *solely* because there's a chance of them being disabled, maybe they don't have the resources or time, maybe they just are genuinely "disgusted" by disabled people, whatever their reason, I feel relieved that these people are not going to be parents to disabled people. Every child needs love, patience and attention, a disabled kid would need that and so much more, I'd say rather to abort a kid you *know* you can't love than to birth it and abuse it (like it happens in SO many cases). This doesn't mean I am in favour of eugenics -- I hope I've made myself clear on that.

Womanist Musings : The Doctor Who Muslim Fail

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:21:30 +0000

Actually, I agree with Wood Turtle -- Doctor is actually an *inverted* orientalist here -- celebrating the "Moslem" faith, without even stopping to see (classic Doctor), the contexts Rita comes from, and how his unique position (though is technically an alien, looks like and signifies the position of a white man in contemporary society) further complicates Rita's "moslem-ness" when seen from his lens. Not too surprised the way Rita is written out of the narrative, as most POC in Who are either cockblocks of colour (Mickey), trees, villains and ultimately people who are the among the first to die. Oh and somewhere thrown in the middle of all this mess there's also racialised fetishisation (that is more sharper in Torchwood). Sigh, all said and done, I still love this fail show @_@

Womanist Musings : Dear White People Stop Showing Your Ass to the World

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:29:04 +0000

"Black privilege"? In situations other than this, your comment would be incredibly hilarious. This blog isn't a joint account, it's Renee's space and she can damn well do whatever she wants with it. And if you think she is a "white hating racist" why look at this blog at all? There are holes in your logic, seriously.

Womanist Musings : Signs And Signifiers.

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:00:43 +0000

Thank you. I am still parsing over what is happening re the Hazare march as well as slutwalk mumbai as each day some new definition of freedom, free-will and agency is being forged -- just to show I don't have any answers or insights either, just a whole lot of new questions.

Womanist Musings : Re-defining Shakti Or Otherwise Known As Patriarchal Manipulation

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:49:37 +0000

I often wonder about the interpretation of some of these stories. Is there a mystic tradition that interprets Sita as the soul and Ram as "the Lord" (God)? Then the parts of the story that encourage one-pointed devotion, and submission to his will, makes more sense because we're not talking about real people in the world but simply using them as an allegory for a mystical experience. Sadly, no. The whole idea behind the numerous Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism is that they are all avatars of each other. So the man who is Ram in the Ramayan is Krishna in the Mahabharat and so on. The women are also extensions of each other. This makes the misogyny even more legitimate in my opinion.

Womanist Musings : Re-defining Shakti Or Otherwise Known As Patriarchal Manipulation

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:11:08 +0000

I too have more or less similar problems with most religious texts as most of them are written by Dudes to further their misogyny. The very fact that you read my post means much so much! Thank YOU :)

Womanist Musings : Daughter of the Diaspora

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:49:41 +0000

Loved this entirely!

Womanist Musings : Sunday Shame: If It's Empty Throw It Out Edition

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 11:24:29 +0000

Sigh. You're not the only one. I do the exact same thing. This is probably why moving is such a nightmare for me. I can NEVER EVER figure out what to throw away. I have a dead battery collection too!

Womanist Musings : My Disabled Body

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:11:51 +0000

This is an extremely tricky position as a reader who is able bodied as there is a tendency to patronize and/or pity the disabled person - thereby wrongly othering them. I generally just sit back and read what you've written instead of put myself in that 'tricky' position. Absolutely guilty as charged.

Womanist Musings : Wednesday What’s Up?

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 20:38:54 +0000

I'm still drowning in hate-mail. I'm just wondering how does one shake the trolls off? Any suggestions?

Womanist Musings : Dear White Feminists Stop Erasing my Womanism

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 17:40:30 +0000

Shit. Trolls are going to dig this up. Well written Renee. It's interesting how women have to explain their choices over and over again; on the internet or elsewhere. I don't see any men explaining their political choices. Another thing, just what is people's problem with Womanism? It's an outlet for marginalised voices to unsilence themselves. Wasn't that the motive of feminism in the first place?

Womanist Musings : Dear Readers

Mon, 7 Jun 2010 15:50:19 +0000

Hope the appointment goes down smoothly and be as far away from annoying as Proust is from a full stop.

Womanist Musings : Motherhood is not the same for everyone

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 19:06:52 +0000

Great post Renee. In this whole 'Pro-choice' debate, somehow we never really think of motherhood 'worthy' enough of discussion (myself included). One step forward in unlearning our mistakes.

Womanist Musings : Welcome To Internalised Misogyny : Part One In An Infinite Series Of DoucheBaggerey

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 16:17:48 +0000

@ Jane - I don't think you're derailing the conversation. I specifically used the 'Y-Chromosome' as the only synonym for 'man' because out here, this is ALL we are looking for. Trans-gendered are social outcasts and most trans-sexual babies are abandoned. Here the Y-Chromosome presides over everything else. Maybe you'll find this link interesting.

Womanist Musings : McDonald\'s French gay ad: Venez comme vous êtes!

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 18:49:01 +0000

My problem exactly with the commercial. It's more like "Being gay is not okay with me. But come have a McMeal".

Womanist Musings : Woman has her mobility scooter taken by police

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 16:07:15 +0000

Drumroll for the biggest douchebag this week! Horrid incident.

Womanist Musings : Yes, Arizona Law is about Hunting Brown People

Fri, 28 May 2010 14:46:05 +0000

I can't really believe it's true. I am sure it IS but still. Call me stupid but I really don't see the point of skin colour dictating people's lives. When did we fall down so low? --- Don't answer that.

Womanist Musings : I Can\'t Believe You Laugh At This: The Edition Of Just Why I Want To Live In A Cave

Thu, 27 May 2010 19:26:37 +0000

The link you attached doesn't work. I didn't know about Rose but I am familiar with Ali Salim's show. What really gets to me there too is how he uses his "drag" status to further his fame instead of actually subverting norms. It makes sense that as an "outsider" to the Indian Hetero-normative society Rose can get away with a lot of things. I am glad to hear Rose is using her "other-ness" to good use.

Womanist Musings : I Can\'t Believe You Laugh At This: The Edition Of Just Why I Want To Live In A Cave

Wed, 26 May 2010 15:38:33 +0000

Even the presentation in the book comes from outside and the quotes offered show that the writer is still othering Transpersons, which I find quite interesting. This is precisely why I went with the review. In the book itself, when the little boy was possibly raped and definitely abused, the author very consciously uses the 'them Vs us' dichotomy. Thanks for your lovely words!

Womanist Musings : Spark of Wisdom: Stories of Pain

Wed, 26 May 2010 05:22:56 +0000

Thank you for this post. As a tutor of high school children, I see them teasing boys who like art or wear pink as "You're so GAY!" and laughing followed by more name-calling and violence. I learnt something new -- there are no girl lesbians according to many students. No, they're just "acting" out male fantasies. One of my students who identifies herself as a lesbian has to literally fight boys off every day, convincing them they she REALLY doesn't like men. I definitely don't want yet another generation trapped in this viscous circle.