But in order to effect change, you have to understand the world as it is. It's fine to say that in another reality where society had developed differently, a lack of heterosexism would automatically imply a lack of sexism, but the fact is that we live in this reality and this is how society developed, and men have more reasons than sex to want women to remain unequal.
It's not a claim about another society; it's a claim that all sexist actions can ultimately be reduced to heterosexist causes. Now we can't magically remove the heterosexist causes, and the process of removing them precisely is that of combatting sexism, but understanding how the issues intersect can help us see how far we still have to go. Seeing them separate can help us attack them one at a time. Both perspectives are important.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-26 03:58 pm (UTC)It's not a claim about another society; it's a claim that all sexist actions can ultimately be reduced to heterosexist causes. Now we can't magically remove the heterosexist causes, and the process of removing them precisely is that of combatting sexism, but understanding how the issues intersect can help us see how far we still have to go. Seeing them separate can help us attack them one at a time. Both perspectives are important.