History of Feminism

undermines our cause by using the same attacks on republican women as they do on liberal women. Not only does it give us a very big heads-up that this person isn't an ally, and doesn't want to be an ally (because he isn't interested in hearing the opinions of the people who are actually discriminated against,) it also makes it difficult for us to go on the attack against republicans. Republicans just say, but your side does it too, look at that "ally"!

A man doesn't get to decide whether to use the c-word is ok. Sorry, but that's how how being an ally works. I don't get to decide whether using homophobic slurs are ok, because I am a member of the privileged class when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identity. I don't get to decide whether using the n-word is ok, and if it is, who gets to use it, because I am white. I have no problem with that...because I want to be an ally to LGBTQIAG people, and to people of color. So, when they discuss the use of slurs, reclaimed or otherwise, I shut up, listen, and try my best to respect their wishes.

What so many DUers are doing, is so very republican-like, I am afraid the board is in its last death throes as a a credible place to discuss progressive, liberal ideas. As a place that should be moderately safe for minorities, we have ample evidence it is not any of the kind. They whine that DU will become a place where only certain opinions are accepted (read: only 'harpy' feminist opinions, with a few "anti-white" threads thrown in for good measure) but don't realize that DU is already a place where only certain opinions are accepted - mostly Republican-lite in social matters.

The hypocrisy might be amusing, but it is also quite sad, because it is yet another nail in the coffin of the idea that was such a grand one, Democratic Underground.