Hmmmm... interesting turn. I thought this thread pretty well puttered out. I just had a hmmm moment as I read Slow's original thread and then Dutch's response. I couldn't help but think of her response to my post, and the fact that she said that just because one skeezy old guy calls himself a feminist doesn't mean I should let that ruin the label for me. Quite intuitive, thank you for the insight!

That popped into mind at her passionate reply to Slow's first post. Why should I, or she, care about one guy (who has certainly redeemed himself in following posts thought I, and others, I believe, still disagree with him) who might say some outrageous, insulting, outdated, or simply distasteful comments. Perhaps out best defense is not in claiming the title feminst, which is arguably too loaded of a term to be easily used anymore, but rather in assuming the confidence to move in this world. Trying to explain this.... the phrase from Shakespeare (I think) comes to mind "Methinks (s)he protests too much..." which seems to illustrate what I'm trying to say. Sometimes in constantly defending ourselves, in argueing for our equality, in insisting on its validity, we may be undermining it. Certainly, in far too many areas we still must insist, but perhaps if we simply assumed more and took life as granted that it is ours, perhaps we would be granted more. Could it be that we----ok, let me change that. I know that I hold myself back far more than any men ever do when I constantly convince myself why I should have the right to do this or say that or move in certain circles. Anyhow. I gotta run. Just thoughts.