As a man, I feel discomfort and disgust with sexism/misogyny...

[YoungDemCA]

...yet I am trying to remember that I do not experience sexism/misogyny like women do. Not even close. That is a form of privilege, and I don't hesitate from using that word.

Compassion, empathy, understanding, looking at things from others' perspectives (even if they have radically different experiences from mine...no, especially if they have radically different experiences from mine)...practicing these things will help me, and I am confident that they will help all of us.

[athena]

1. That's OK.

I feel the same way about racism. As a white person, I'm simply not as sensitive to subtle racism as a non-white person would be. Regardless of how much I care about the issue, that's the way it is.

That doesn't mean, however, that you can't do much good. Recently, I spoke with a black leader about this, who told me that I can do the most good by talking to white people about racism. In the same way, I believe you can do a lot of good by objecting when men around you say or do sexist things. With some men, your words will carry much more weight than they would if they came from a woman. You can use that to help the cause of feminism.

[cinnabonbon]

2. It is helping

because the people who looks at their privilege, despite the discomfort it initially brings, shows a willingness to reach out to people that are different from them. That is a very honorable quality, especially in the face of criticism.

I find it very strange how some people are so scared of the word privilege. Glad that you can see the way it's used, how it's intended to be read.

[xfundy]

3. Here's what I don't get --

Most misogynists I've known or read are straight men who claim to love women, yet treat them like crap, make asinine jokes, consider them stupid, (insert all other misogynist garbage here).

If I was straight I'd want the same conditions I want with a mate: complete equality. Why is that so hard for some guys to get?

[ismnotwasm]

4. Excellent post

Recognizing privilege implies responsibility

I think that's what bothers some people.

NOT so called "white guilt" (I've never head of gender guilt, aside from a null point in ridiculous arguments)

Guilt is condescending, and rings false; actively working to lessen privilege and promote a playing field as level as we can get it, is the responsibility of recognizing privilege. It's also at the heart of liberal values.

This isn't a new idea, it's found in all kinds of philosophy, hints of it in religion. In sociology.

It says " I may no better than someone else, but my way in life is eased because I was born with or obtained this kind of privilege-- race, gender, income, abilities-- there's a long list of what could be considered privilege---but when examined objectively, there is an inordinate amount of privilege just by being male; just by being white.

There's NO shame in being male, but I think it is shameful to deny male privilege.