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05-25-06 EUR FEEDBACK: Darryl James responds to Tiamba
Yesterday, we published a letter (scroll down) from Tiamba Wilkerson of Richmond, VA. She took exception to Darryl's (05-23-06 EUR) column. Here is Darryl's response..
"Look Tiamba; I don't climb up on rooftops to tell you how to be a harpy, I just ignore you because I don't like harpies. So, why don't you afford me the same courtesy? If you can't take it anymore, close your eyes, because you are not in control of the free world or the free media. You were more condescending that you accused me of being, especially since you were being personally insulting to me.
'If thine eye offends thee, pluck it out.' (Shakespeare) 'If you don't like it, don't look at it.' (George Lopez)
There is no balance in the diaspora, Tiamba, because there are few men who speak up for men. Too many men have been sissified by cranky Feminatzis like you. Whether you like it or not, there are some real men who don't mind speaking the truth. When you see one, all you can do is demand fair and balanced coverage for Feminatzis. Where is that demand when Black men are being torn to shreds on television by Black women? Where is that demand when Black men are being torn to shreds in public discussions and in magazines? There's nothing fair about that.
Do you know how many magazines carry nothing but lopsided Feminatzi propaganda? Of course not. All you care about is your perspective. We've been hearing about the oppressed woman for decades with no solution except to blame men for all problems without examining the Black man's intrinsic actions. Now you are intimidated and can't handle it when a strong Black man expresses his side of the issues, in search of solutions and bridges.
That's the bullsh*t radical feminism I was writing about. You didn't understand or bother to receive any of the recommendations for bridging the gap, you are just upset that you disagree. Well, disagree and move on, because no one cares--at least I don't.
You are so blind-minded that you missed the pieces I wrote where I took men to task for disrespecting and abusing Black women. The problem is that you don't give a damn about the disrespect and abuse of Black men. I even wrote one specifically about the problems within hop hop music, but you don't care because I won't write what you want me to write.
You don't have to agree with me, all you have to do is respect that I feel the way I do. The fact that you don't respect it and further, that you want to censor me is proof that radical feminism is dogmatic, counterproductive and needs to fail.
For the record, Ms. Feminatzi, I have studied the work of sane, productive feminists and have real feminists in my family. They are not RADICAL feminists and they are also not closed-minded.
No one is threatened by your rhetoric. There are just a growing number of men and women who are tired of it. You don't have to like it, but you will have to get used to it, because we won't be silenced."
on 5/23/06 7:01 AM, Tiamba Wilkerson wrote:
"This is the third time I've responded to an article by Mr. James. I don't think I can take anymore of his lopsided and distorted diatribes about feminism or African American women who ask the community to confront issues of gender oppression within the community. I have yet to see an article by Mr. James where he is critical of American American men who disrespect and abuse Black women; I don't think I've ever seen as many articles about the blatant misogyny in Hip Hop culture as I've seen mis-informed and loaded statements about the "problems" with feminism. And I guess I wouldn't be as irritated by the whole thing if I saw some balance---but I have never seen an article by a Black woman feminist in this newsletter. If we are going to have a serious discussion about "Bridging the Gender Gap" as Mr. James claims to be doing, then there needs to be space for African American women to describe and analyze their experience as women, who are oppressed not just because of race but ALSO because of gender. I've said before in previous e-mails that I am a heterosexual woman, who LOVES the sight, sound and taste of Black men; my feminism is not about "hating Black men", and for Mr. James to continue to try to dismiss Black women feminists by saying this is offensive. I mean, has Mr. James really OBJECTIVELY studied or read anything by Black women feminists or, if he thinks they would be too biased in their analysis, Black men who have discussed patriarchy and gender oppression in our community. Or is he so threatened by the thought of having to confront the ways in which he may be benefiting from the system of patriarchy that he's not willing to even consider it.
Anyway, if you all insist of continuing to publish his pieces, would you all PLEASE consider publishing something to counter it. Can we please begin a fair and equitable discussion on gender issues---without the name-calling and condescension? My name is Tiamba Wilkerson, Richmond, VA."
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