Façade of Pseudo Feminism

Re: # 24

Says the NumberOneFan of the Hifsa Klan...

I am finding it more and more incomprehensible that chowk could have published this. There are many people who make similar arguments coherently. The writer is not one of them.

Following is my email correspondence to a message we recieved from one of the gender expert on open forums of the Institute. The original email contants we recieve are in the bottom. So read it if you are interested and i hope it would enable my point to get across.

Dear ABC,

Thank you for posting this video. The title of the email got me interested to go to the link as well but with much respect I would like to add my disappointment here. The images and the subsequent contents of the video were nothing but some good piece of dum dum. The way feminism is used or abused in this video fails to make much of a point regarding socalled conflict between the West and Islam.

The video has confirmed my fears that feminism like other idealistic notions is increasingly becoming victim of social confusion of the so-called wise and aware. Intellect seems to be the biggest casualty of our social grooming and career orientations. I guess only few really feel the sensitization of gender as a positive, progressive and socially inclusive phenomenon and more would rather write but simply propagate the half truths in form of half baked ideas to the masses to satisfy their own insignificant political motives among some what confined and exclusive audience all in name of simplicity and thus a more interest wielding methodology. The video u attached is prime example of it and its presence in ISS email forums is the subtle proof of how swift and unconsciously participatory the propaganda of contradiction infested feminist activism has become without we ever questioning it as then it would mean risking one self to be crucified for being politically incorrect on a topic of even greater urgency and that is `women rights and their due and rightful all round empowerment` .

Here the image of Paris Hilton was used to question but also somewhat ridicule her recent hyped up persona. Why not any other image from the West? Why not Madonna or Brittany Spears or so many who have become a household name and much like Paris Hilton are selling on the front pages of magazines sometimes bare naked if it suits their aesthetics. Paris Hilton is indeed taking a lot of heat outside the world of fashion n glamour. What is with this obsession about her and why would she all be hated as well and thus be used yet another of zillion times in this substandard video you would forward? Well she is extremely rich, a kid born with silver spoon and would dye her hair blond like many or any woman may like to do and she seems to say and do what she pleases. This makes her an empowerred woman with the right definition of modern day view of femisnism. She wants to be a sex symbol for women which is an obsession well justified considering her limited options of adventurous and differentiated life style due to her status profile upon birth.

Her presence in this odd video which is not even remotely related with her and where the other comparison was an unknown human sketches of a scarf clad women substantiates my point and questions the sincerity of the people who wanted to sell this video and their half baked idea under some noble headlines. The subtle conclusion after going through the imagery is that these are only men transformed into war mongerring machines and if left to women the eternal peace would be achieved. Is it quite so?

Let us not talk about world problems but take the dutch example. Yesterday I went to a bar and asked the lady across the counter whether she earns the same salary as any male bar attender. She nodded in yes. I asked her then whether women earn the same as men on average. She was well aware of the facts and quite alloquently summed up the gender scenerio in dutch labor force by suggesting `` Higher the women reach in management level jobs, difference between salaries between men and women seems to increase`. There is still a general perception among women in Netherlands that it is difficult for women then men to get recognised in certain male dominated professions i.e, corporate sector etc. Now whether their qualms are an outcome of genuine discrimination or statistically they are less efficient than men on average in certain work profiles are the only two logical answers to above mentioned concerns. Definitely, I like most others choose to believe it is the former case. Then the question arises why so, esspecially in a country which has been managed by a dynamic woman at the top most level which is her highness ``The Queen``. The role of Queen in holland might be unlike other monarchies in Europe. Here culturally the dutch are rather more attached to the Queen as well as dutch politics. Queen is a brand name in herself in holland. One evidene is the tradition of popular celebration of Queen`s Night where the whole country celebrates the event unlike any other event. Even Christmas celebration get pailed against the general enthusiam shown by ducth public on Queens night. Definitely the Dutch quite passionately associate themselves with the Queen and rightly so. Queen Batrix is not only a Royalty but she is a smart corporate manager, holding a part of owner ship of may be one of the most socially aware oil company in the globe namely `Shell`. Or atleast that is the impression Shell advertises on her website. The newly found feminine side of shell is achieved by whom is any body`s guess. But a strong link with an aware Queen might has a lot to do with it. Further more many inititatives of social contribution to the developing world are ample in Queen`s portfolio to substantiate her international contribution to the welfare of the world`s down trodden . Dutch society as a whole seems to be extremely gender sensitised in their own national domain and on average try to keep themselve abreast with problems of women in larger world. The rise of Hirsi Ali from a refugee to a parlimentarian may be a small but important indicator to this effect. Freedom of speech is encouraged and practiced well. Thus all seems to be rosy and versatile in dutch social culture much like their own well known and well kept tulips garden. It is a big question then that why would women still be a victim of economic biasness in such an aware and well cultured society? Are Islamic fundamentalists and abusing menfolk of Islamic origin have to be blamed for this apparent making no sense what so ever reality of economic discrimination of women? What is going on? Are the attentions been diverted to avoid any fruitful challenge to gender status quo existing in holland? Is dutch society being manipulated by some unknown and un coordinated but mutual interest oriented mafia, to keep them busy with issues of international dimensions though in a confusing settings and manipulated definitions?

I think there are some important issues being put under the carpet as a matter of routine and it seems that average dutch have also been a victim of being taken for a ride by their own politicians associated with certain interest groups promoting a certain agenda consiously or unconsiously to exploit the psycological apprehensions of a public in a very clever manner. For example, this hoop la about Islam and indirectly marketting clash of civilisations only to confirm the fears of their white population regarding ignorance and back wardness of certain economic group belonging to a certain belief system has been one reason to promote and quite cunningly exploit the offensive of Hirshi Ali on her opressers of past life and thus at the end paint the same expression of guilt on the larger faces of muslim male populace - a bydefault outcome of herd mentality. The negative information and headlines coming out of muslim countries, though quite tragic they are, have all been put as a cultural and religious practice of choice by men and women and thus making a self proven case of socalled islamic backwardness and Islamic extremism. Thus the strategy is to blame and ridicule a choice of abstract practice of human nature under stress and ignorance in a manner to bring undue political instensity and strength to adventourous and innovative brand imaging of clash of civilisation and not question the psycological orientations of misguided few guilty ones who act to fuel opression as an outcome of self inflicted circumstances rather then following a set pattern. Proving irrelavant practices of yore as obsolete is rational but creating a propaganda machine to ridicule every thing entailing some misunderstood historic cleche is manufactured confusion utilised for an agenda. Islam is not about opression and it never was. The only problem is the mismatch between contemporary requirements of modern social life and political philosophy of socalled islamic intellect which in many ways still tries to follow and relive a social life of a kind which may only be justified in societies of ancient cultures. So Hirsi Ali would have made a lot of sense and due for lot of respect if she intend to educate unaware mulsim populace of her dutch constituency regarding the vastness of human philosophy rather than keeping her self focused to her bitterness. Though in that respect popularilty and lime light would have not been guarentteed had she made a choice of reconciliation rather than conflict. An abrupt treatment to a problem never solves any problem but only worsens it. Dutch law knows this truth quite well, but popular media and intellectual gossip feeds on abrupt reactions and surprises. Law suggests that every problem which seems to be a problem is not a problem untill proven so and thus it is best to be neutral and blind to be able to serve best justice. Best justice is also the best solution. However our gossiping minds need to feed on interesting information so that the issues need to be created and confirmed to satisfy our biasnesses and thus we can act to live rather more interesting or socially relevant daily lives. Thus grey areas are best used to be given colours of our likings and dislikings. The paintings are painted and stories are sold on the faces of some commonly hated or loved individuals and thus every day we get to confirm our never ending urge to be fed more of the same colour we have chosen to see. This is called political and ideological manipulation of populace. It may serve a good purpose or a bad purpose all depends on intentions. Confused intentions, where every one wants a pie of their own liking, serves no good end.

It is accepted that progress in the West has been achieved because of a centuries long evaluatory process of Christian religion by intellectuals. Many a fassads of redundancy have been stripped off. And slowly the sacrifices of the few brought larger and larger social accord. Rule of law with secular orientation has been the outcome which would further generate the progress of Western societies once seriously put to practice. Now this is the methodology West is trying to rightly propogate to the outside world where similar issues of older Europe may be found in a cultural, religious or economic context. Questioning Islam is encouraged as one of such step to bring subtle tolerance among muslims. However, in my view and despite the good intentions, this methodology is hugely flawed. It is same as suggesting to Afghanistan to first embrace line telephone and then slowly move to mobile technology to communicate. Economic efficiency suggest to jump to mobile telephony to adapt to rapid recovery process. Mulsim world donot need to relive the Christian history and struggle of centuries by a small minority of aware ones and yet loud ones to bring progress to their societies. Rather a more diplomatic approach where Islamic societies are exposed to social and economic empowerment needs to be followed. There is no clash of civilisations between Islam and the West in contemporary times. If there is any thing, it is the fact that Islamic societies live in predominant underdevelopment where education and rationality have become the biggest casuality. However the dust created over many mis percieved issues including clash of civilisation is all an effort to creatively prove the relevance of the ones who sell and buy such ideas of disaccord. The more relavent issues are more global in nature. Human wisdom is ample to find but not equally demanded and believed in. Coincidents are sold as conspiracies. Sweeping statements are passed as being wise and fast solutions of passion.

Every thing is utilised these days for consumerism. This is what we study at ISS. Poverty is used by the international Financial institutions to sell their agenda. Corporate social responsibility is sold as an advertisment compaign of smart image building by multinationals. Then why not the obsession with feminism? More empowerment of women and beilief in women power is to build superiority complex among the women who have been able to achieve a visible status in the society. Now they are all out to find a common enemy. Opressive men are ample to qoute, read and find in muslim disguise, but not so commonly interacted with in a personal capacity. So any man in general may be a potential opressor untill proven otherwise. Any mistakes are analysed to substantiate the masculine inclination of dominance and thus seriously rebuked and disliked. In other words, lot of so called feminists are discontent with whole human social evolution and want to re write the entire human history which is tainted to their belief by male dominance. However a better mindset would be to shape the future than to religiously indulge in historic bitterness. Thus the problem remains the mind set. The above video quite directly talks about women dominance as it suggests that if women be provided a chance to make the decisions for this world the world would be a peace ful place much like eternal heaven of biblical contrasts. Empowerment is of mind and every one has his/her own criterion for it. Now why would Paris Hilton be associated as being a shallow person here? She is shallow because she is rich but doesnot act like Bill gates or Condeleeza Rice of sorts? The world is so huge and diversified that every act if not harmful for the social accord and welfare of others is justified and even necessary. Outside the intellectual world of wise sayings and doings, if feminism is about female domination or about feeling self-dominated then it is no serious deal but another of a choice to be fed to ever growing arena of consumers looking for entertainment. It wont bring any real change of progress to women as such in terms of their economic empowerment but definitely must bring few good profits to some billion dollar corporates, who would then definitely pay a lot of taxes on their revenues and thus indirectly might contribute to social welfare at a global scale. And the time would take its due course to change the world for good or bad.

I do believe that of all the other good things said and done, women empowerment would also materialise in this very century. However it would not happen under the current wave of contradictry spirals of practicing masculine detest by pseudo feminists and their retailers. Many need to grow out of this feminist obsession of dominance and act in confidence and grace to participate progressively in knitting a less contradictory and conflicting global social net.

p.s. Just last week, I browed through the book stores in the Centrum and was looking at some contemporary literature. I was some what surprised to note that most of literature displayed in the book stores is written by women. Anyway I went through some of it and I got surprised that how the language gets explicitly sexual but with a stark feminist colour to the expressions. And all these books are a good sale. It seems indeed lot of women are out to change the culture of self proclaimed masculine infested prose. These authors might be a just outcome of their own times as I was reading a short book published in early 1990s, where Robert Solow, the economics nobel laureate, uses the expression `pussy footing` in the openning lines of his essay to criticise some of the contemporary approaches in economics. Pussy footing may be an expression out of innocence but might not entertain lot of feminists. I guess practiced feminism in the West has quite a tough ride ahead and it seems women dont find many serious supporters of their cause among menfolk. That might be a reason good enough to ridicule who can more conveniently be ridiculed to vent some frustrations. So what i see outside academic circles is that feminism has become quite a mish mash of different yet contradictory practices and at the end most are just trying to vent frustrations in one way or another.

best
dawood mamoon








ABC on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 11:45 AM +0100 wrote:
Dear friends,

I just watched this great new video (90 seconds) about the clash between Islam and the West and how to stop it - you can see it if you click here:

http://www.Avaaz.org/en/stop_the_clash/tf.php

Could the movie be linked to EZnet?

ABC

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Original Message

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06 March 2007 12:35:26
Message
From: ``Ricken Patel - Avaaz.org / CeasefireCampaign``
Subject: 90 seconds to change the world
To: ABC

I have read your post in detail:

Please note that I am only talking about Feminists, not women in general and believe me if you go into detail it is not merely about women rights. Feminism as it is percieved is transformed into something else.

I see bunch of mostly white women trying to control men around them. So these are all observations and many of such feminists I have socially interacted with for longer periods of time while naturally observing what these feminists are all about. It is just a convinient mask to bring out in certain circumstances.

And since I feel it has a significant social application for developing countries, I am interested in it. So if you read the article it subtly hits the psycological orientation of such pseudo feminists.

Re: # 20

This is utter nonsense and an excuse for this writer to yank some chains and have a laugh....but let me point out that Muslim feminists are a growing and well received part of academia. Grow up and there may be a place for you.

zahra

These are not personal experiences but several observations upon observations..

my critique on feminism is intellectual in nature rather than personal because it is a school of thought dishing out some idealistic rhetoric on open forums but their personal lives are a disaster. These are not academics mostly but femisist activists using rhtorics like `Women Power`` and stuff. Bunch of women who are obsessed with womanhood and feminine side of this world so much so that they have no tolerance for an iota of masculinity though some may only allow it in bed if they havent turned gay.

Anyway i am surprised why you have gone offended with the title of my article.

One probable reaosn : You are paying your bills from a salary paid by a white Man and you are so complacent. Any way best of luck with your woman hood.

p.s. The pseudo feminist cult criticise every man who donot submit to their `socalled woman power` and you look an involuntary adherent to it. Though you fail to accept it. So wake up to the fact that there can be disagreements between men and women and all disagreements donot mean that some shame ful and sinful (Muslim) men are busy repressing women.

This is a thought...discredit the feminist movement by shouting out a spit between the real and the pseudo. Women are women and everything they nag and complain about is valid because its the powerless that nag, the powerful command.

Aisha Sarwari

mamoon sahib
Pseudo feminists will always discuss women issues sitting in their drawing rooms, typing on their keyboards their pseudo rhetorics.

They will never help any poor woman in need.They will never go to Pakistan/India to try to help out the real oppressed folks............and that`s the exact reason , they are pseudos.

They do not even know what are the problems of those poor women are..............

Trust me, they never do.

Re: # 13

Dawood - I am real busy and may not be able to revisit this board for sometime. In the interest of time, I could only provide partial input.

1.it is hard to find many women with common sense these days.

Women can hold similar views about men. By the way, did you mean ``any`` or ``many`` ? I think any should be sufficient than many :) Don`t you agree?

2. Most women love money and lime light but they decieve themselves in believing in some nobel headlines.

Men love all kinds of things. Should women impose their way of thinking on men?

3. Women hate to pay fr their date but find it utterly romantic to be taken out, fed some romantic cum exotic cum sensitive cum intellectual drivel.

The title suggested that you had your share of pleasant or not so pleasant experiences. Life is about experiences and observations. Probably, you need to continue your quest for finding the right date who can afford to split the check vs. likes to be taken care of. Times have changed, but some people have not. It`s ok if you do not want to take care of your date. Spell it out up front.

4. They find being simple and innocent as cheap but shrewdness sexy, though they claim to prefer otherwise.

This was sweetly stated. I am sorry I cannot speak for the ones you have come across. We all come across different kinds of people. Some are worth preserving, others are not. What`s the big deal? You are a doctoral student. Are you always successful in getting the anticipated results of your research? I have a few very close friends who are pursuing doctorate in complex areas and it has taken them much longer than anticipated. Since they took off time from corporate lives and decided to go back into academia, it has been even more difficult for them. I guess their perseverance is paying off in the end. One is a female who got married in the middle of her Phd program. She is supporting her spouse financially overseas. She is also sponsoring him to join her and he is anxiously awaiting for that day. This woman has spent over 25 years of her life in the west. She ended up taking the plunge for her reasons. There are all kinds of examples for us to analyze and review. In the end, we still have our own experiences to go through. Let`s not forget that.

5. muslim men are regressive but exotic only if they are up fr the game.

Now, is that true ? Being a man, you should know better and feel securer in yourself than what others think of you. Do you think muslim men are regressive? .

6. no better deal than havin a muslim man around with money otherwise he suck as he is a man and that is a muslim man

I do not want to assume that you are insecure, but some of your comments lead one to look into that dimension of your written thought process. Your language and expression demand some clarification. What do you mean by ``having a muslim man around with money``? To do what? To place him as a trophy on a book shelf ? Or to put him in a nice brief case?

[so in a nutshell pshycologically feminist school of thought which most western women have religiously adopted is just a new fashion and a good time pass. but i am increasingly getting bored of it. ]

Well, your boredom may be indicative of something else. Life is also about choices. Rather than raising so much hue and cry, just follow the exit sign.

Majority of muslim men get threatened by women with options and choices. It throws them in a precarious condition and makes them feel very insecure. These men have a very set perception of what and how women should be. So, whenever they see women exercising their views or options(whatever they may be), they have a real difficult time to accept it.

So, who is right for these men ?

I suggest women(either eastern or western) with very limited options, zero outlook and no independent views are ideal for these men.

On the other hand, the ones (either eastern or western) with options, well defined outlook, independent views and an identity will be real pain in the neck for these fellas.

Why inflict yourself to that pain when you can stay painless ?

Till we connect again.............

ok
summary provided....
(i am primarily commenting on practiced feminism in the west so it is addressed to the west not eastern women... eastern women have long way to go n they most of the times show more grace n common sense if they are aware ones)

anyway so here goes the summary dedicated to a western woman

1.it is hard to find many women with common sense these days.
2. Most women love money and lime light but they decieve themselves in believing in some nobel headlines.
3. Women hate to pay fr their date but find it utterly romantic to be taken out, fed some romantic cum exotic cum sensitive cum intellectual drivel.
4. They find being simple and innocent as cheap but shrewdness sexy, though they claim to prefer otherwise.
5. muslim men are regressive but exotic only if they are up fr the game
6. no better deal than havin a muslim man around with money otherwise he suck as he is a man and that is a muslim man

see i mentioned money two times here. money buys time as well as respect. thus feminism is just another fad of capitalism and if accepted this way i am more than happy but it creatively claims to be some new doctrine of intellectual evolution.

so in a nutshell pshycologically feminist school of thought which most western women have religiously adopted is just a new fashion and a good time pass. but i am increasingly getting bored of it.

thus fr me With all this and plus, the case of Western feminists get weaker and weaker. I have written another piece on feminism few days back and its getting better and better- prose and ideas :)

Re: # 13

Oh wow... so you were jilted by a chick.

Re: # 13

Dawood Sahib,

This last post is even more incomprehensible than the convolutions of your piece. Is there an actual original and compelling idea in this overwrought diatribe or this wanking rendered in 10 letter words?

Secondly, a doctoral student should stay in his limits and within the scope of his major. No need to fly too high in imagination :)

Re: # 12

Zahra Behen,

Dawood Sahib is a ``doctortal student``, whatever the heck that means....this is chowk`s effort at quality writing....

Dawood - I do not think you can afford my time. So, why don`t you entertain my earlier request of summarizing your drivel :)

I promise I will read it then.

zahara J,

I always prefer to pay ppl in kind. though i have ceased to claim to be a feminist I still hold on to my aesthetic sense which makes me a big fan of Gods gift to men ``women`` meaning they indeed are a better half of us only if they stop acting like a bunch of monkeys/bitches.Though i wont mind paris hilton act but tht suits her more and many needs to be innovative.

anyway you say time=money

well i have money so now you may have time to consider an offer u wont resist. i am willing to pay you to read my article. And if you are a entertainer as u seem to be, I am even willing to communicate with you on more personal level only if i feel I am being well entertained for a price i am paying.

Now donot go on thinking anything negative fr what i say as i say all in simplicity. But i am sure you still would.

but thanks for even considerring to ever comment on some drivel i write. much appreciated. i don`t know you but you seem to know something from me and tht is much recognition to get happy n gay.