Having Rights Verses Gaining Rights
One of the interesting things I love about Twitter is that I can "listen" in on other's conversations. When a new tech gadget hits the streets I can do a search and see what people are saying, when a new movie or news article comes up I enjoy finding other people's thoughts on it. I'm snoopy, I know, but it is interesting to see what people think about things and ideas that interest me. Even thoughts on broader topics, such as feminism.
Over the weekend I found an interesting conversation going on via twitter on feminism. Two people, both calling themselves libertarians, had a short conversation on feminism. The basic story was that one of the two was called a feminist and did not like it. The other commented that he assumed feminism was simply wanting equal rights, to which the first replied that she feels rights cannot be taken away therefor seeking the government to give you your rights is a bad idea. And in a perfect world, I absolutely agree. A person's rights should be things that come freely, simply because you are a person and alive. No one should have the power to take or give your rights at will. Sadly, however, we don't live in a perfect world.
It reminded me of a few years ago when I found myself working for a sleezeball in a small gas station along the highway. Now I assumed that I had the right to be a female and have a job outside the home. He, however, assumed that he had the right to make obscene comments and attempt to grope me for being female. Clearly our rights were clashing. My right to exist as a female and his to assume I was there to star in his next letter to Penthouse. What we needed was a third party mediator, the government. Though it is by far not a perfect solution, it works to (attempt) to iron out the kinks when two people's "rights" clash. And yes, I know that often those in the government are the same sleezeballs who think all tits are public property and having a penis makes you more equal. But at least they make a few shows at trying to be civil.
I don't think demanding our equal rights is demeaning, and I know for a fact that there are plenty of people unwilling to accept that others have those rights without some sort of law breathing down their necks. In a perfect world less government would be great. However in this world we need a list of rights to be enforced.
It reminded me of a few years ago when I found myself working for a sleezeball in a small gas station along the highway. Now I assumed that I had the right to be a female and have a job outside the home. He, however, assumed that he had the right to make obscene comments and attempt to grope me for being female. Clearly our rights were clashing. My right to exist as a female and his to assume I was there to star in his next letter to Penthouse. What we needed was a third party mediator, the government. Though it is by far not a perfect solution, it works to (attempt) to iron out the kinks when two people's "rights" clash. And yes, I know that often those in the government are the same sleezeballs who think all tits are public property and having a penis makes you more equal. But at least they make a few shows at trying to be civil.
I don't think demanding our equal rights is demeaning, and I know for a fact that there are plenty of people unwilling to accept that others have those rights without some sort of law breathing down their necks. In a perfect world less government would be great. However in this world we need a list of rights to be enforced.
Mike Pouraryan
