random thought exercise

[fuyu]

Meet Grim Eyes, a hunter in the highly matriarchal hyena society of Digger. (Unless you already read Digger. ... Which you should anyway.)

I'm curious. What are people's gut reactions to this? I think it makes for an interesting thought exercise, so feel free to tell me what you think. Anon comments are fine of course, IP logging is off.

Comments

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

Because misandry isn't the norm in society. So while she's a blatant misandrist it's not an example of something that's been hurting you all your life. A more bothersome example of misandry would be something like "of course men aren't good at being domestic, they're not intelligent enough to do laundry." Here it's really so abstract and intellectual that I can't even find myself being bothered by it, just going "I see what you did there." Probably more interesting to me in terms of sexism was Skin Painter's relationship, because she spun the domestic abuse victim idea right around.

They are! I actually only wrote it as biologically/behaviorally correct about Hyena and Lion-- and realized that... oh hey. I was making some kind of point. Maybe.

Mostly I've always just liked hyenas, ever since I was little.

[fuyu]

Yes, definitely. I was referring more to the personal dimension. Like... misandry isn't the norm, and I am presented with misandry that is treated the same way misogyny is, and not deeply bothered: is it because, as you said, it's so abstract it doesn't hit the same nerves? is it on some level a feeling that it's a fitting reversal? what would it say about me, or someone else, as a person and feminist if it was one or the other or both?

(Mainly I think you're right on the money, though.)

And oh, god, yes, that was devastating and fascinating.

I am intrigued and would possibly be interested in reading this!

You know, another interesting example I came across of a matriarchy having the same problems as patriarchy, was actually in Phoenix Wright, with the Fey clan; though I don't know if that was how it was intended. I made lots of happy noises when it came up, one way or the other.

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

is it on some level a feeling that it's a fitting reversal?

There is a bit of that, I think. I know I definitely go, HAHA! SUCKS TO BE YOU NOW. I mean, obviously these are all fictional characters so it's not like anyone is being oppressed or any 'real' prejudice is being shown and reinforced, and it is nice in a schadenfreude way to see something I've seen said about my attempts to be taken seriously put on the same class that's been doing the saying. I mean, also when Grim Eyes says it, you see how blatantly stupid it is*, so there's that bit too. But people who've rationalized such an attitude about women won't really see how dumb it is for any reason other than "but of course men are just as good as women!"

But obviously, women are still not as good as men, but there's reasons for that, and they make sense! Or something. Maybe I shouldn't comment on things at 7 AM.

*Interestingly, female hyenas choose for more docile males. Males with lots of testosterone tend to get overlooked because they're too aggressive, and apparently the females just don't want to bother with that nonsense. They're almost as aggressive as the females.

Here on my writing journal! Obviously nowhere else because I intend to edit it up and send it off for publication. If you're not a member, you should be. :(

[fuyu]

But people who've rationalized such an attitude about women won't really see how dumb it is for any reason other than "but of course men are just as good as women!"

Good point, and unfortunately true. It's still an interesting feminist thought exercise, and I'd love to show it around my college campus or something and prod at people's reactions, but it wouldn't be a big surprise if they were mostly that sort.

I was not a member. :( This changes now!