Libertarian Feminism is Superior to Liberal Feminism
Well, that kinda struck a nerve.
This right here is an example of what I'm talking about, and why Stephanie annoys me.
Let's jump to the conclusion of this vid. Despite the warm, fuzzy, we-can-all-agree-with-this last line in the clip, it's the second-to-last line that deserves scrutiny. Right after trying to soften the blow by acknowledging women have some blame in the abuses by the state, the primary conclusion of this entire clip is distilled down to:
Let's be brutally honest, when it comes to the destruction of liberty, it's the men who lead the way.
I already know some here don't see the problem with this concluding statement. After all, it's technically true, right? Well, let's alter it a bit:
Let's be brutally honest, when it comes to imperialism, it's the whites who lead the way.
That time you noticed it, right? (If you didn't, well, just save time and stop reading, because I'm not sure how to get the point across.)
While both statements may be technically true, the question is, why bother stating it? In particular, with the video above, what's the implication that makes such a "Captain Obvious" statement the summary conclusion of a several-minute Youtube clip?
I think there are two implications. (1) Women are superior to men, at least as regards liberty, and (2) well, we should be thankful that at least they're not liberal feminists, because libertarian feminists are much better.
I think both of these implications are loads of crap.
(1) Women aren't superior. Isn't it a feminist belief that the sexes are equal? Well, in my experience, this is the proclamation of the more reasonable feminist, but the truth is, it's in subtle instances like the above that the actual truth of their thinking is revealed.
Here's some brutal honesty: people in general have tended toward tyranny through the ages. The only reason women haven't been dishing out as much as the men is because of the very physical disadvantage mentioned. Had there been physical parity, or physical dominance on the part of women, there's no doubt in my mind history would not have been significantly different.
Men's primary participation in tyranny through the past has been due to nothing other than circumstance, so why one would focus on it as if there's something that needs to be fixed BEYOND true freedom and equality strikes me as suspect. This is where I begin to question someone's intellectual honesty.
(2) False dichotomy. Let's presume that libertarian feminism
is better than liberal feminism. I'd normally argue otherwise, because the former is simply more subtle and, IMHO, more effective at actually inculcating the errors of feminism (see (1), above) into society. But again, let's presume the former is better.
Why are these the only two options? Are we supposed to just accept that feminism is here, good or not, and that we should just grin and bear the libertarian form because it's more palatable? That's certainly the implication of the very title of the video. Again, that implication is crap.
Big Guy (to a crowd of men): Look fellas, we know you don't like feminism.
Crowd of Men: *groans all around*
Big Guy: But hey, at least these are libertarian feminists
Crowd of Men: *murmurs*
Male Voice #1 (from the crowd): They don't get in our face and yell a lot, do they?
Big Guy: No, they don't, and we need to be thankful for that. Remember, they've been through a lot, and so we need to be sensitive and allow it to happen if it does. But at least the libertarians do a lot less of it.
Male Voice #2 (from the crowd): But I thought we were supposed to be equal.
Big Guy (shrugging): Yeah, we are.
Male Voice #2: Then how come we need to let any of them yell at us, but we can't yell back?
Crowd of Men: *more murmuring*
Big Guy (nervous): Look fellas, look, that's just the way it is. No point in getting upset, it's not gonna change. Might as well go with the flow and take the better deal.
Male Voice #3: But if we're equal, then we're equal, right?!
Crowd of Men: *louder murmurs*
Big Guy (now angry): Alright boys, you still aren't getting it.
*Big Guy throws on movie projector.*
*Hour-long video detailing the abuses of women by men through the ages plays.*
*Graphic scenes shock men.*
*Vicarious guilt is distributed.*
*Big Guy turns the lights back on.*
Big Guy: Any questions?
Crowd of Men (heads hung low): *murmurs of "No"*
Big Guy: Good. Now, go out there and spread the message of liberty!
tl;dr - Libertarian feminism isn't better than liberal feminism. Both just peddle a hypocritical perspective that doesn't advance liberty any more than
actually promoting equality.