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Re: Jason's Naivete -Reply

1.  <My first inclination is to say that it is YOU who have the problem, not
<these horrible, awful, Satan spawn, men. There is such a thing
<(frequently missing from our society) known as courtesy.

Now where did Satan spawn men come from?  I believe that it is you
who is putting words into my mouth.  With regards to courtesy...bravo,
you have clearly illlustrated my point.  You suggest that we ought to help
people who are less capable then us and that we ought to accept help
willing when needed.  This statement I do not disagree with.  However,
what you fail to realize is that it is the assumption of one's capability that
is bothersome to me.  My point is that it is because I am a women that
some individuals feel that I am not "capable" of carrying my evidence. 
This is an incorrect assumption and I included that example to illustrate
this point.  I am not arguing that the offer itself is oppressive, but that the
offer reflects a much outdated system of chivalry.

2.  As you say that you do not travel the national circuit than what
experience do you have to speak to what I am saying?   Why is it that
you think that men are more comfortable with men?  And why is it that
you think that some women do feel uncomfortable approaching a circle
of men?  This point seems too obvious to me to have to explain....

3.  As a matter of fact, I have been quite vocal in attempting to educate
people about sexism.  I did take issue with this judge with my coach and
with many members of the Northwest debate community.  As far as your
reference to art...I have no idea what you are talking about.  Are you
suggesting that we ought to respect examples of women as cuts of
meat????

*  There seems to be an assumption by the people responding to my post
that I have been inactive and unresponsive to these incidents.  That is
not the case.  I fully agree that alternatives need to be found.  I have
participated in many a seminar/discussion about doing just that.

<I doubt very seriously that Jason was trying to have a contest with you
(although I'm not sure the reverse is true).

You just do not get it.  Where is this contest language/ideology coming
from?  These are thoughts that have never even entered my mind!!  My
point is to illustrate the difference between types of marginalization that
people experience.  It was Jason who made the comparison between
losing a round and experiencing manifestations of sexism...my point is
that those situations are very different.

I am baffled, Bob, by the assumptions that both you and Jason make
about me...

Jennifer Becker
Former Whitman Debater
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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