I don't think River was exactly a MPDG...her sole purpose in life wasn't to be a mysterious person who brought fulfillment to some sensitive but aimless and ennui-filled young man.
Good point. You're right.
My feeling on allies and such is that yeah, we should totally avoid attacking those who are clearly trying. It's all too common in the social-justice circles. You know, the pile-on, the race to find something to knock someone down with.
Exactly. It really hurts when I see that happen - because no rights movement is going to get very far if they turn against their supporters. People aren't going to get their rights in the public discourse, or educate the world about their social group, if people are afraid to talk about them even if it is in support.
So I can be aware of the things that Joss does really, really well without needing to hail him as the BEST FEMINIST EVAR!!!!!!!! and I can point out the things he's a little weak on, without making him into the enemy. I think it comes down to being okay with people being flawed. Unfortunately, it seems that there are many people who can't handle a little contradiction. Everything's got to be all one thing or the other.
Yes, exactly. This constant insistence that things have to be one way or the other really really annoys me. I find American culture is absolutely torn apart by it, quite frankly. You are either a socialist liberal or you're an anti-abortion misogynistic conservative....and I'm not sure how you feel as an American, but from my vantage point in Canada, it seems really poisonous and detrimental to your political choices. Though, don't get me wrong, we have similar problems in Canada at the moment, they just aren't nearly as pronounced.
It's the old dichotomy myth...which just doesn't exist. People and opinions are far too nuanced. Everything is on a sliding scale.
I just wish that those who do the pile-ons, who can't handle faulted heroes, weren't so vocal. I always feel like the reasonable suggestions for improvement are lost in a barrage of unwarranted hate. /rant. :P
no subject
Good point. You're right.
My feeling on allies and such is that yeah, we should totally avoid attacking those who are clearly trying. It's all too common in the social-justice circles. You know, the pile-on, the race to find something to knock someone down with.
Exactly. It really hurts when I see that happen - because no rights movement is going to get very far if they turn against their supporters. People aren't going to get their rights in the public discourse, or educate the world about their social group, if people are afraid to talk about them even if it is in support.
So I can be aware of the things that Joss does really, really well without needing to hail him as the BEST FEMINIST EVAR!!!!!!!! and I can point out the things he's a little weak on, without making him into the enemy. I think it comes down to being okay with people being flawed. Unfortunately, it seems that there are many people who can't handle a little contradiction. Everything's got to be all one thing or the other.
Yes, exactly. This constant insistence that things have to be one way or the other really really annoys me. I find American culture is absolutely torn apart by it, quite frankly. You are either a socialist liberal or you're an anti-abortion misogynistic conservative....and I'm not sure how you feel as an American, but from my vantage point in Canada, it seems really poisonous and detrimental to your political choices. Though, don't get me wrong, we have similar problems in Canada at the moment, they just aren't nearly as pronounced.
It's the old dichotomy myth...which just doesn't exist. People and opinions are far too nuanced. Everything is on a sliding scale.
I just wish that those who do the pile-ons, who can't handle faulted heroes, weren't so vocal. I always feel like the reasonable suggestions for improvement are lost in a barrage of unwarranted hate. /rant. :P