So You Value Feminism and Diversity? Prove it!

| Fri 11 Jan 2013 | 97 Comments | 4969 Views

Author Bridget Gaudette

I'm an ex-Jehovah's Witness with a focus on Black atheism, humanism, and sex-positive dialogue. | @BridgetGaudette

I read a petition today that was encouraging atheists, skeptics and secular groups to support feminism and diversity. A very worthy cause. I was bothered by something in the intro though, “We’ve chosen to put our names to this petition because we want to respond to a video created by a blogger calling himself Thunderfoot”. No. Can it not be about that please? Can it be about us valuing feminism and diversity?

If you do, value diversity and feminism, I’d like to highlight some groups that are specifically focused on doing just that and at the end offer some suggestions for those who are truly committed to it.

The American Humanists Association has a Feminist Caucus.  Blog about it. Donate to it.  Spread the word.  OFFER TO HELP. 

Secular Woman. Blog about it. Donate to it.  Spread the word.  OFFER TO HELP. 

Black Nonbelievers. Blog about it. Donate to it.  Spread the word.  OFFER TO HELP. 

Hispanic American Freethinkers. Blog about it. Donate to it.  Spread the word.  OFFER TO HELP. 

Filipino Freethinkers. Blog about it. Donate to it.  Spread the word.  OFFER TO HELP. 

Black Freethinkers. Blog about it. Donate to it.  Spread the word.  OFFER TO HELP. 

I could go on and on.

Look at their missions and goals. SUPPORT THEM. And while you’re at it, check out the groups that make atheists look good for their charitable work like Foundation Beyond Belief (by the way, the staff is over half women.. ask the Executive Director how he was able to have a diverse, atheist staff).

Offer real world action steps. Find people trained in creating best practice models for organizational diversification, talent attraction and retention. Raise money if you must for their services. There are consultants that do this work for a living. I doubt any organizational leaders will turn down this type of assistance if you raise the money to hire them. Suggest avenues of outreach for females and other minority groups and perhaps the leaders will incorporate this into their strategic planning. And again, we atheists are pretty good at raising money, hire a consult to help the organizations in the movement accomplish these goals and address the problems we’ve been talking about for years.

Blogging, vlogging and petitions only do so much. We need to support the individuals and groups already actively working on these issues and use established business practices to make diversity a reality.

What are we waiting for?

«
»
  • http://karlaporter.com/ Karla Porter

    Your message is IMPORTANT and I support it 100%. The tools, talent and vehicles exist to forge ahead in a positive direction. Get out the virtual bulldozer to move the crap out of the way and bring in the construction crew to build on the foundation. Is no one going to step up?

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

      I hope someone with clout does. I simply don’t have the influence. I am a little fish..

      • http://karlaporter.com/ Karla Porter

        You did by posting this!

    • http://www.facebook.com/axel.blaster Axel Blaster

      Yes, any victories will come from working towards a goal, not against X-thing or persons.

  • http://drzach.net Zachary Moore

    I’d suggest an additional step: encourage everyone to speak up in their local communities, and offer to do the work necessary to create activities that will attract a diverse demographic.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

      I fully agree. In many ways, just as with politics, working at the local level is where a huge impact can be made.

    • http://www.facebook.com/axel.blaster Axel Blaster

      You are right, change has to come from the grassroots

  • http://www.facebook.com/ellenbeth.wachs EllenBeth Wachs

    “We’ve chosen to put our names to this petition because we want to
    respond to a video created by a blogger calling himself Thunderfoot”.
    No. Can it not be about that please? Can it be about us valuing feminism
    and diversity?”

    It is not an either/or situation, Bridget. Adam has decided that he wants to address that hateful, irresponsible video. The petition signers want to make a stand against harassment. One can also support other worthy causes at the same time. In fact, just today I emailed Kim Rippere and let her know that I was very impressed with her and would be throwing my support behind Secular Woman. Mandisa Thomas knows she can always count on my support.

    Are you referring to any organizations in particular that lack diversity?

    • http://bigthink.com/blogs/daylight-atheism Adam Lee

      I agree with this. Feminism and diversity are absolutely causes that are worth supporting for their own sake. Thunderfoot’s video is just an unfortunate illustration of why it’s still necessary to do so.

      • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

        I can understand if he stalked, threatened bodily harm. He made a video. And all of this talk surrounding him has givien him more exposure and created for him an even greater audience. If you take him to task, then you have to take every other ‘offensive’ person to task. Is he not allowed to have an opinion on YT? And this couldn’t be handled in a way other than a petition?

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          like when he threatened to out the trans bloggers at FtB?

        • Me Danksworth

          That is an outright lie Julian. If you have any actual proof to back up your claims feel free to share them.

        • CommanderTuvok

          Julian’s gone a bit quiet with that evidence about TF and his threat. That’s the thing with the Baboons – they are very loose with the evidence. No doubt, because nobody believes him, he’ll accuse us of “hyperskepticism”, which is their codeword for hiding the fact they have got caught in a lie.

          In no terms whatsoever can these people be regarded as skeptics.

        • Mr Danksworth

          Yes, Julian has gone quite silent on the proof of his accusation. They really don’t fare too well outside of their ban-happy echo chambers do they? Maybe he can get Gretta, Ophelia, or PZ to write a butthurt blogpost on his behalf. Make sure to get them to insert racist, sexist, mysoginist, and freeze peach into it…just for consistancy.

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          hehe

          Tf00t and others are free to pretend nothing happened. I know better :)

          but you’re right, Gaudette prefers this place to be one way and I’ve long overstayed my welcome. I’ll retreat to the echo chambers you all so abhor.

        • Mr Danksworth

          Flouncing off without proving your accusation? Fucking typical. Thanks for proving yourself to be a lying, manipulating baboon. Not that we didn’t know that already. But still, further proof is always nice.

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

          I don’t know you hun, so why are you telling people how *I* prefer things?

        • http://www.facebook.com/axel.blaster Axel Blaster

          WOW, I’m sure that Thunderf00t is so evil, that you really don’t have to include lies. I mean, you wouldn’t go a accuse Charles Manson of killing Kennedy as well?!

        • Pitchguest

          Surely you’re not referring to the time when Natalie Reed was scared ThunderfOOt might *possibly* out her after he’d invited himself back to the backchannel, are you?

          Because that would be ridiculous. He also never made any threat to her to that effect, ever. That was solely predicated by Natalie Reed herself in a lame attempt to poison the well. If you have proof to the contrary, that ThunderfOOt did in fact threaten to out her, then feel free to come forward with that evidence. I would very much like to see it. Moreover, julian, as we’re on the subject of threats, it’s not very nice to threaten to break people’s spines. No matter how much hatred for them you harbor inside and by the looks of it, you’re still seething. Maybe you should sit down, take a deep breath and come back when you’re less agitated.

          (Let’s face it, julian, not the first time it’s happened. Remember when Ophelia Benson withdrew from attending an event because of threats against her, only to later be confirmed to be paranoia from an hysterical email correspondence with a fan? [Which she, by the way, used as another excuse to rag on JREF.] Or the time when she feared she “might get shot”, which turned out to be something to do with vaccination and also *another excuse* to rag on JREF? Yeah. Natalie Reed has got nothing on good old Ophelia.)

      • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

        Diversity yes but feminism is a lot more complicated. Just this week we saw the strong strain of transphobia in UK feminism. Personally I think, the petition would be better if it were only about reaffirming a commitment to diversity and creating a less hostile space for minority groups.

        • corpsepants

          And UK feminism has what to do with atheism or skepticism again?

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          The petition asks atheists and atheist orgs to support feminism. I do think it’s important to know which school of feminism and which feminist theories that’s asking orgs to support. All theories are problematic one way or another but feminism has long standing issues with other axis of discrimination like poverty and race. I brought up the recent example of UK feminists to emphasize what may be unintentionally being signed up for.

        • corpsepants

          Humanism. Come on already.

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          Humanism has similar issues. It’s gone from everything from imperialistic racism to the dismissal of working class issues we see today. Honestly it’s in the exact same boat as feminism where it excludes different forms of oppression when they don’t fit the prevailing narrative (a common example in atheist circles is ignoring the role factors other than religion have played in oppressive societies.)

          Which is why I think it’d be better to stick with explicit goals and positions. That way everyone is walks in without the unnecessary baggage and can commit to the spirit.

      • http://www.facebook.com/axel.blaster Axel Blaster

        I’m can’t wait for your next petition, is it gonna be “End World Hunger”, that could get you the Nobel prize for Peace and you could still save the best for last, a petition to “End War”

    • Sara

      I don’t see how a YouTube video is harassment. It can be malicious, cruel, insulting—but placing a video online is a passive action.

      Nobody is forced to watch it.

  • Mel

    Offering to help (or even actually helping!) means time and effort. Donating means spending money. Why bother when you can get the same sense of accomplishment and “doing something” in a matter of seconds by signing an online petition?

    • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

      fuck you too.

      • Mel

        If the petition gets enough signatures, will it stop your sexualized attacks on women? (For example, the one I’m replying to.)

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          oh how clever! I bet that’ll get you lots of upvotes

    • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

      lol reminds me of prayer

  • Corinne Zimmerman

    I think a multi-pronged approach is important. To put it in the terms of old school behaviorism, we need to increase behaviors associated with promoting secularism in general, and the diversity within the secular movement in particular, and squash or stamp out behaviors that involve harassment and hate, and the backlash that seems to occur in response to terms like “diversity”, “feminism”, “discrimination”, and “privilege”. There are those for whom such words seem to invoke severe defense mechanisms.

  • Elsa Roberts

    Thanks for this Bridget; I agree with Corinne that a multi-pronged approach to feminism, diversity, etc is needed in the movement and this is part of that approach.

  • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

    I’m still unsure as to the POINT of the petition. Ok, say you get 1000 signatures on on the petition- THEN WHAT?? Are the signatures going to magically cause people to act the way they should?? NO.

    • Blue Aussi

      I would hazard a guess it is to give very visable support to some of the most harassed, and to counter the notion that there are only a small number of people who feel there is a sexism and lack of diversity problem in the movement.

      • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

        A battle cry from the Atheist community is taken serious ONLY when CERTAIN Atheists make a complaint. It’s as if issues aren’t valid until the more well known Atheists says…it’s an issue. Oh, a well known female blogger complains about feeling sexualized, and uncomfortable? Well why don’t we take a look at that, it must be true! A well known Atheist creates a petition about needing diversity in the community…oh well gee, lack of diversity must REALLY be an issue! Nevermind the fact that this has been talked about for how long now by members of the diverse populace. If this petition for diversity had come from an ACTUAL member of the diverse population…would the petition generate as much conversation, reaction, blog posts?? Or would the minorities be accused of complaining?

        • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

          The intentions of the petition are honorable…I feel a ’roundtable’ if you will that included minorities, women…who can give information from being in the trenches, would’ve had more impact. If lack of diversity is a problem, how about including feedback from the diverse communities into the petition? Wouldn’t that make sense??

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          I’m actually laughing at you right now. We’ve been making those suggestions forever and your bff tf00t was among those who did his damndest to get it shut down. They’ve called it racist, sexist, patronizing and unnecessary.

          What a joke this lot and their pretend indignation is.

        • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

          You’re laughing at me? Oh how I weep, how I weep. Someone I don’t know is laughing at me. woe is me.

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          Ooh, bravado. Think the proper atheist thing for me to do when I see it use it as proof you are immune from any harassment and to accuse you of trying to get attention.

        • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

          let the people compare our comments and determine who’s vying for attention…shall we?

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          -_- wasn’t accusing you of vying for attention. Are you too busy looking down your nose at people to read?

        • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

          actually my finger was up my nose. is that a problem? and also..can we stick to the topic of the post. I can’t continue to hijack Bridget’s post entertaining you. I’m sure you understand :)

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          hijack the post? Most of the comments were about looking down at people who make petitions and who blog about issues instead of “those who put their boots on the ground.”

        • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

          ok,thanks for setting me straight. Pleasure talking to you, Julian :)

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

          Is she playing the race card?

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

          I think so.

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

          Wow. Good points.

  • Sara

    Great post. It bums me out that those who do little—write popular blogs—are often giving more attention than those who put their boots to the ground and accomplish real change.

    • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

      ok… wow. Talk yourself up some more why don’t ya.

    • http://twitter.com/PSLaplacian PS Laplace

      Yes, because these two groups are clearly mutually exclusive. Come now.

  • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

    Can it not be about that please? Can it be about us valuing feminism and diversity?

    It’s a catalyst. Like a politician saying something foolish or a news personality using slurs, the reaffirmation of principles is prompted by an act a member of the community feels should be beneath it. Not exactly uncommon.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

      It’s talk.

  • loyal b

    Thank you for this great post. Sorry to distract from the substance of your post, but I think it should be noted whenever Adam Lee’s petition is mentioned: Thunderf00t does not oppose equal rights for women. Adam Lee is falsely portraying Thunderf00t’s position by equivocating about the meaning of the word “feminism.” There’s feminism the ideal, feminism the political movement, and feminism the social theory. Guess which one Thunderf00t is criticizing, and guess which one Adam Lee is pretending he’s criticizing.

    • CommanderTuvok

      Yep, and all sensible and intelligent folk can see this straight away.

      Their attacks are ALWAYS based on strawman tactics, and false equivocation. Essentially, they want to portray any disagreement with them as sexism, racism, Nazism, fascism, liberitarianism, etc. They are that desperate and despicable.

    • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

      I’m sure Tf00t is basking in all of this drama lol

  • CommanderTuvok

    Wow. Julian is really butthurt. Notice how they throw the baby out with the bathwater when they can’t control the narrative!

    Further, and this goes to EllenBeth Wachs, you are dealing with skeptics. Your logical fallacies in promoting this false dichotomy are noted with ease.

    You will notice how quickly the FTB/Skepchick lot flounce once the playing field is level. No banhammers, memory holes, editing comments, etc. That is why they have resorted to silly petitions to respond to ThunderF00t, because they simply can’t argue against him.

    There is one group of people who have harassed more than any other, and that is the lot from FTB and Skepchick. Their concern over “harassment of women” (in this case TF’s legitimate criticism and mockery of various radical feminists – the majority of feminists (chill girls, gender traitors, sister punishers, according to them) – do not support them or their aims, and regard them as a bunch of troublemaking, egotistical fools.

    Just in case some of the Baboons are still confused (highly likely). Criticism and mockery of your crazy ideas and statements /= harassment and rape threats. The criticism and mockery will continue as long as eejits such as ‘Julian Francisco’ (stop losing your temper!), Adam Lee, Rebecca Watson, PZ Myers, Greta Christina, Ophelia Benson, Stephanie Svan, Ed Brayton, Matt Dillahunty, and all the other rambling bullies continue to paint big targets on their backsides.

    Your petitions will fail. You can be sure of that. Atheism+ has failed, and we will continue to damage the sullied reputation of FreeThoughtBlogs via mockery and criticism.

    • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

      Your petitions will fail. You can be sure of that. Atheism+ has failed, and we will continue to damage the sullied reputation of FreeThoughtBlogs via mockery and criticism.

      Thank you for putting your goals and that of the others here in plain print.

      • CommanderTuvok

        Yes, my goal is to criticise and mock bad ideas. You know – like all good skeptics should do!

        We have been successful so far, and we will continue to expose you and your fibs, propaganda, and nonsense. We rightly sullied the reputation of FTB, and correctly predicted A+ would fail. We point out the fallacious nature of your arguments, laugh at your “us vs them” petitions and witch hunts. We stand up to the bullies.

        The majority now see you for what you really are, and for that, we have ERV and The Slyme Pit to thank.

        PS – I notice your responses to Sara. You people really don’t like women who disagree with you.

  • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

    I actually love it when you show up in any comments section Tuvok. Gaudette likes to pretend she’s trying to build bridges and such but, well, then you show up, and people like sara and mel and loyalb, and you drive him the real purpose behind these posts.

    Always appreciated. :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

      Feel free to not read my blogs. Who is “him”?

      • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

        I meant “home” and I usually do.

        *retreats back to echo chamber

    • loyal b

      How am I, exactly, Julian? How could you possibly know anything about me? If I told you I thought most of Tf00ts feminism videos were glib and poorly argued would it improve your opinion? If I also said I thought he made a few good points would it lower your opinion?

      You’re not accomplishing anything for feminism by being so nasty and personal all the time. You might even be putting some people off it who could stand to listen to some of its message.

      ‘Night.

    • Pitchguest

      Yes, the awful CRIME of allowing a free exchange of ideas without moderation must simply be akin to MURDER in your eyes. For in the place of an echo chamber is a forum where you’re allowed to have an opinion absent of the fear of expulsion or deletion.

      It must be difficult to be such an insufferable oaf all the time, but in your credit you have managed it fine so far. Although in the future, I hope you would reconsider coming back to the world of the living not inhabited by mindless drones and dead parrots. And while the prospect of breaking people’s spines may sound appealing to you, I’m not pining for the fjords just yet. *reaches hand in box of crackers, takes one out* Cracker?

      • Mr Danksworth

        Cracker? I thought he was a Spic.

        • Pitchguest

          I laughed way too hard at that.

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          This exchange probably more than anything else is why you all fill me with disgust.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

      What’s the “real purpose”?

  • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

    What are we waiting for?

    Nothing.

    We had the surlygrants for things like TAM. We had Myers, Watson and Zvan propose mild anti-harassment policies for conferences. We had from pretty early on a number of the non activists you derisively refer to encouraging people to consider the views of non whites and women. (Christina has been doing that atheists of color piece for a couple years now, I believe)

    And you know how your friends ended up treating them for all that.

    • Mel

      You’re the one here attacking women. If you want to be an ally, that’s not quite how to go about it.

      • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

        Oh shut up. We’ve got half the slympe pit crew here and I’ll be damned if I’m lectured on how to treat others by you all.

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

          I still don’t understand why you are being so rude to ME. I have never been to the “slymepit” so I don’t know all of this stuff you’re talking about. The slymepit doesn’t sound like a place I’d want to be. Judge me based on my blog and not other people’s comments.

          If you only want to come here to tell me “fuck you” or pick fights, I ask you politely not to.

    • Pitchguest

      Are you suggesting Bridgette doesn’t care for the views of ‘non-whites’?

      Oh, and “friends”? Julian, when it comes to not arguing fallacies, you’re not very good at it. In fact, you’re lousy at it. In fact, you should stop. Because while you may be a callous turd in my book, I wouldn’t dream of discounting your opinion simply because you’re a regular at FTB and I would think (hope) that the reverse would apply as well. However, on several occasions, you have envoked the guilt by association fallacy so perhaps I’m giving you too much credit.

      And if you’re at all offended by this, be advised: I have a neckbrace and I’m not afraid to use it. If you would have any bright ideas about breaking my neck, or spine, or whatever it is you threaten to do. I got this one.

    • Pitchguest

      Are you suggesting Bridgette doesn’t care for the views of ‘non-whites’?

      Oh, and “friends”? Julian, when it comes to not arguing fallacies, you’re not very good at it. In fact, you’re lousy at it. In fact, you should stop. Because while you may be a callous turd in my book, I wouldn’t dream of discounting your opinion simply because you’re a regular at FTB and I would think (hope) that the reverse would apply as well. However, on several occasions, you have envoked the guilt by association fallacy so perhaps I’m giving you too much credit.

      And if you’re at all offended by this, be advised: I have a neckbrace and I’m not afraid to use it. That is, if you have any bright ideas about breaking my neck, or spine, or whatever it is you threaten to do.

      • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

        Are you suggesting Bridgette doesn’t care for the views of ‘non-whites’?

        That’s exactly what I said! Your powers of perception astound me, Pitchguest. I marvel at your dizzying intellect and insightful commentary.

        Gonna throw a fuck you to Gaudette while I’m here. Another to you. And maybe one for that guy who cut me off this morning. Except I think he was in a hurry so I’m willing to let that go.

        Bye!

        • Pitchguest

          Well, julian, at least you’re honest about it. I’ll give you that.

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          *facepalm*

          yeah this crowd deserves each other. Have fun with your atheist cult ;)

        • Mr Danksworth

          I thought you flounced off yesterday, Julian? Any luck with those proofs yet? No?

        • http://www.bynkii.com/ John C. Welch

          well, at least you aren’t threatening to snap people’s necks as you are fond of doing on Ophelia’s blog. So angry poop-flinging’s a step up from threats, right?

          so hard to tell.

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

          WTH did I do?

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          Besides hosting yet another thread where the only prevailing attitude is how superior to other people you all are?

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

          So should I not express my feelings? I’ve never been disrespectful to you.

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

          So this means I care about the views of whites-only? I really would like an elaboration on this. As a black woman I find that intriguing.

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          I said nothing like that. If you all can’t get even the most obvious sarcasm it isn’t on me.

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

          You’ve been incredible rude and hateful, why would I assume you are being sarcastic now?

        • http://twitter.com/JlnFrancisco julian francisco

          assume what you like. I’ve had enough and am going to find something (anything) other than talking to a group of atheists about anything to do. Hopefully the believers won’t call me a spic.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

      I haven’t derisively referred to anyone. You don’t know who my friends are.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

      I only know one person who has commented on this thread. ONE.

  • http://www.facebook.com/axel.blaster Axel Blaster

    Hey, all of you gettin’ trollish, take your personal problems outside this comment thread. This is about something that could actually have a change to work for a change.

  • Pingback: Literate Perversions

  • mordacious1

    Bridget…nice post. Something positive for a change, not meaning that you’re usually negative but that other blogs have been (a lot since “the incident that shall not be named”). Of course, when you post something this positive, some twerp from FfTB has to show up with something nasty to say. A lot of bitter people in the echo chamber (oops, sorry…I went negative too). If there was a secular group near me, it would be boring (just a lot of old white people around here).

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

      Thanks hun.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=639378446 Bridget Gaudette

      I want everyone to start putting their money where there mouth is and the problem is that little people like me who are trying to talk to leaders and organize people need the support of these more influential people.

      Why not use clout to raise money like I said?

      • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

        Your endeavor isn’t futile, Bridget. Someone who’s not fearful and truly wants diversity will support you. In the meantime, keep talking, KEEP WRITING!

    • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

      I agree with your comment, Mordacious. The point is to bring awareness to believers ,not convert-at least not for me, but awareness. It’s so much easier being an outlier. I can’t IMAGINE being an integral part of the rudeness, mudslinging, backstabbing etc. Being Atheists=rejection, disbelief in deities. Nowhere is it written we must be automatons and think alike. That was the beauty that I had found in being an Atheist. I can agree with no issues. However, I see once your popularity rises, not agreeing with the Clique results in a smearing campaign. Really?? This is what precious time is dedicated to?? It’s an insult and embarrassment to our community. And when I say community, I mean EVERY Atheist-not just a select few.

      • http://blaqueplastique.blogospot.com/ beautifulblackatheist

        I meant I can ‘disagree’ with no issues..

      • CommanderTuvok

        Indeed. You mention smear campaigns, and one is currently underway at Pharyngula and Butterflies and Wheels targeting Michael Shermer.

        This started a few weeks ago when Ophelia started to cyberstalk Shermer, creating a straw man argument about him using an out-of-context quote about why skepticism seems to attract more men then women. Shermer responded a bit later, politely putting Benson to right. As you can expect, somebody having he audacity to put a Chief Baboon in their place put Shermer up as Public Enemy No. 1 at FTB. They have now resorted to trolling through his past history to find out-of-context quotes to attack him with.

        Shermer has a new post, a beautiful and intelligent takedown of the nasty, bitter, twisted BS coming from Ophelia and PZ. They were FURIOUS, with Ophelia so butthurt she has THREE new posts at B&W attacking Shermer. (Go sit down Ophelia, it will ease the pain!) PZ was also upset because Shermer wrote:

        “When these same self-described secular feminists went after Sam Harris
        for a commentary supporting racial profiling in the search for
        terrorists, again I didn’t speak out. When Harris wrote, “If my daughter
        one day reads in my obituary that her father ‘was persistently dogged
        by charges of racism and bigotry,’ unscrupulous people like P.Z. Myers
        will be to blame,” I thought to myself: “Don’t worry about it, Sam. Your
        work is for the ages. PZ Myers’s work is for the minutes—the half-life
        measure of blogs relative to books.”

        Now that is simply beautiful!

        Anyway, Ophelia is now upset that people are reminding her that she made a comparison of TAM/DJ Grothe with Nazi Germany, making her hypocritical attack on Shermer’s Godwin somewhat revealing. On the b&w site, somebody pointed out that more men visit FTB than women. One poster (Caine) responded with a straw man, suggesting the “no women at Pharyngula meme” was being propigated again. Sadly for him, and before Ophelia could memory hole his error, everything was screencapped and documented in The Pit. Ophelia desperately tried to hide that her dutiful posters were caught out lying.

        I post this update simply because it is important that the atheist and skeptic movements DO NOT regard nasty little censoring bullies such as Ophelia Benson and PZ Myers as the representatives of feminism and diversity. They are the opposite, and are an anathema to feminism, critical thinking, and diversity.

        Let us make sure that we keep calling them out. Keep the pressure up, and don’t let them bully you.

Tags: ,

Category: Activism, Atheism & Religion, Gender & Sexuality, Women & Equality