My friend the Lama quipped, about Osama having sex reassignment surgery: >I think he's already half way there, Mags. I mean, anyone who goes out of >his way to kill civilians already has no balls.
Now, not to attack personally, I *promise* - I know this was not intended as anything but a quip criticizing Osama... but it really is the kind of statement that our sexist society socializes us into, unjustly. To associate "having no balls" (= being feminine, being female, being a woman) with all things negative - and killing civilians is pretty much as negative as it gets! - well, that is evidence of a societal problem of devaluing all things female. I just wanted to say this to share my thoughts with everyone: that these sorts of associations are unacceptable. And I am sure all sorts of unacceptable associations pass by me every day - I am sure I MAKE them despite my best intentions - and I hope that when they do other people keep pointing them out to me so I can keep learning... And in this spirit I point this out. hugs and respect to all, Yael
