Yesterday, I wrote a piece on being a female atheist who had been alienated from movement atheism by systemic misogyny. (And, naturally, we had to close the thread because it got inundated with dudes keen to prove the point. See also: My inbox.) It got a bit of attention, including from PZ Myers, who wondered: "What can I do better?"
On Twitter today, I shared my advice to atheist men who genuinely want an answer to that question...
Atheist men wondering what they can do to change this dynamic: Start with not engaging in misogyny yourselves. Ex: bit.ly/16xrGQ8
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
[Note: PZ did apologize for the post discussed at the above link and removed the image in response to criticism.]
A safe space for women doesn't mean you get to be nasty in explicitly misogynist ways to women who aren't "on your team."
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Also: Institute a zero-tolerance policy for misogyny in your comments. No slurs, no misogynist narratives, no questioning women's agency.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Simply not having to encounter not being called a cunt in your comments sections isn't good enough. My humanity isn't a debatable issue.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Read this on why debating "women's issues" as an abstract exercise is some rank bullshit: bit.ly/16xsCUC
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
And read this on how to effectively and safely communicate with women about women's issues: bit.ly/Ygajwt
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Don't play devil's advocate.Let me reiterate that.DON'T PLAY DEVIL'S ADVOCATE.That is not compatible with a safe space for many women.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Don't appropriate or ignore women's lived experiences. Let women be the experts on our own lives.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Don't treat women like a monolith. Or any subset of women. Not all atheist women think the same way about any issue.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Don't only listen to the women whose opinions support your perspective. If there is disagreement among atheist women, pay attention.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Recognize that there are privileged women in the atheist movement who may collude to marginalize non-privileged women (and men).
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Extend opportunities to women in your space -- as contributors, as moderators, as guest posters. Support female atheists with links.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
CHALLENGE OTHER ATHEIST MEN ON THEIR MISOGYNY. Silence is not good enough. It isn't neutral: It signals tacit support.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
When you allow female atheists do the lion's share of challenging misogyny, you're reinforcing the narrative women are a "special interest."
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Don't accuse women of overreacting when we are merely reacting. Don't accuse us of being oversensitive; maybe you are not sensitive enough.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Don't imagine that being a man makes you "objective" on sexism. It merely gives you a different perspective, not greater objectivity.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
Listen. Listen listen listen listen listen. Listen.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
And if you're not willing to make the effort to make movement atheism more inclusive, don't pretend that you are. Be a real ally, or don't.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 15, 2013
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