I was "offlist" last week, so I don't understand the context or the meaning of jackie's post. It seemed a bit inflammatory, however. (BTW, its "flaming") While I admit I've partaken in the feast of male-bashing in my time, and had a great deal of fun doing it, I think its at best not useful, and at worst contrary to what I want--which is a world that is safe for women and children, a world where women have the same freedoms and rights as men, a world that honors me as a woman. While male-bashing may be gratifying in the moment, it does nothing to further the cause of justice for women. I mostly welcome posts by men on this list, because I don't think we are going to bring about a world of social and environmental justice without the participation of men. As in issues of race, we are not going to acheive a world without racism, until all of us participate in bringing it about--it is not just up to people of color to deal with racism and to talk about it only among themselves. Likewise, a world without sexism is not going to come about by dialogs restricted to women only. I'll admit that I believe most men unwilling or unable to see how they are invested in and benefit from patriarchy, and at times men annoy the hell out of me. BUT, I *try* to remain open to the individual man's voice and actions before condemming him to roachville (where they come out of the woodwork). _________________________________________________________________________ Mary Simmons U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division Albuquerque, New Mexico (505)262-5330 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
