--- Mac4781@aol.com wrote: > Fiona wrote:
Fair point :). However, while I'm not a parent, I
am an anthropologist. As
part of my professional activities, I go to
groups of people of which I am
not a member, and study them as an outsider.
Fair enough, but what if the groups of people don't want to be studied?
Generally, they refuse access. Which is fair enough, and the anthropologist looks elsewhere. The stereotype of an anthropologist as someone who treats people as "lab rats" is actually quite an outdated one-- and even during the time when it could be a valid criticism (during the colonial period, e.g.)-- things were a lot more complex in terms of relative power than one might think. I didn't force anyone to answer my post.
The
reason I produced the post you are quoting is because you said:
Admittedly, the discussion had become rather heated by that point, and I apologise for some of the wording. However, I'd like to say in my defense that I did feel that I raised, in innocence, what I thought was a valid question, and then found myself stereotyped as anti-slash, anti-h/c etc. Which, by the way, hurt.
I understand now that the h/c people were simply responding to earlier people's negative reactions, which was why they lashed out.
But I didn't want to "study" them. I thought I was asking a question of people who I thought were my friends, and who would take the time to correct my ignorant stereotypes.
I'd like to point out that both Sally and Betty took the time to provide intelligent and reasoned analyses of h/c, and why they don't necessarily see it as s/m, and why they consider it an interesting genre. For which I thanked, and continue to thank them; that's all I wanted.
Your post quoted above wouldn't make h/cers more inclined to discuss the genre.
The post you quoted actually came well down the line of argument, by which time I felt quite put on the defensive myself. But yes, that is noted and recognised, and I apologise to every h/c writer/reader who may have felt offended thereby.
I would never deny that possibility. I've gained valuable insight on many subjects that way. But while it's possible, it isn't guaranteed. Just because someone is an outsider doesn't guarantee they are making a valid point.
No, but it's good to have both perspectives, isn't it?
Fiona
The Posthumous Memoirs of Secretary Rontane Available for public perusal at http://nyder.r67.net
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