On Alas a Blog, there's a big argument about whether we should have radical feminist only threads. I'm mostly in favor, although I think people of all genders should be able to participate. As a race woman, I understand how annoying it is to have a conversation of importance derailed because of some jackhole wondering why us uppity colored folk think we need to have rights. Basically, these threads are where grown folks can talk. It's hard to argue theorectical questions, when people are still questioning whether you are a human being or not.

That's also the source of much of the anger that some people have remarked on coming from actual feminists. When you're reacting to something like a woman being accused of a crime for reporting a rape, then is not the time to hear about how all women are evil liars who pretend to be raped for shits and giggles. It's hard to get much serious discussion done when the people talking are not arguing in good faith. When people are not being honest about themselves and their positions, and spending a lot of time in passive aggressive attacks, the people who really are interested in feminism, rather than bothering people on the internet get distracted.

There are many many spaces where rank idiocy will not be challenged. I'm glad for the spaces in which they are challenged and the ones that are mostly moron free. The trolls often complain "Can't you take someone disagreeing with you?" The problem is that this is not like disagreeing on whether the 'new look' style or gothic lolita is cuter- this is about people's real lives, and real suffering is caused by the lies these trolls spread. A lot of the arguments the trolls waste time with are like people arguing that the earth is flat. Not everything is up for debate- and I think some of these are the needs for every human being for rights and dignity.