Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Rebecca Watson---and Why We Still Have a Long Road Ahead

In the last week or so, there has been many articles and blog posts circulating the web in regards to the incident that occurred between the feminist, Rebecca Watson, and the infamous "man on the elevator." My original post regarding this incident can be found here.

I have spent some time reading views that support Rebecca, and those that do not, which is the subject of this post. I agree that the behavior of the "man on the elevator" was inappropriate, but the reaction to this incident by one of the so-called "enlightened" men of this age was also rather disappointing. It saddened me to read how Richard Dawkins trivialized the experience of Rebecca Watson in a rather sarcastic comment he made on PZ Myers' blog:

"Dear Muslima
Stop whining, will you. Yes, yes, I know you had your genitals mutilated with a razor blade, and … yawn … don't tell me yet again, I know you aren't allowed to drive a car, and you can't leave the house without a male relative, and your husband is allowed to beat you, and you'll be stoned to death if you commit adultery. But stop whining, will you. Think of the suffering your poor American sisters have to put up with.
Only this week I heard of one, she calls herself Skep"chick", and do you know what happened to her? A man in a hotel elevator invited her back to his room for coffee. I am not exaggerating. He really did. He invited her back to his room for coffee. Of course she said no, and of course he didn't lay a finger on her, but even so …
And you, Muslima, think you have misogyny to complain about! For goodness sake grow up, or at least grow a thicker skin.
Richard"

Although I find Professor Dawkins remark disheartening, I understand why he made it. Notice how Professor Dawkins highlights the "chick" part of "Skepchick." This was the subject of my previous post, and in a response to the comments against his comment, Professor Dawkins claimed  that all the man in the elevator did was that:

"He spoke some words to her. Just words. She no doubt replied with words. That was that. Words. Only words, and apparently quite polite words at that."

What he implies by the above statement is that words don't really matter--which is silly.  Words DO matter.  As Foucault would say, "Everything is political."  This is illustrated when claiming that "All MEN are created equal"--when in the times of slavery, this only applied to white property owners, which meant that they had an image of a white man who owned property--excluding women, children, African slaves, and everyone else as being part of humanity.   Even today, when a boss uses the phrase, "I am going to hire the best man for the job," he already has a bias, as he has an image in his mind as to what kind of "man" he is going to hire.   

Words DO matter, and Professor Dawkins seems to contradict himself when he highlights the word "chick" (as if the word mattered) and then says what the man in the elevator said was "just words." (i.e., they DON'T matter)  Regardless, a woman who labels herself as a "chick" (it makes no difference how she views it) is going to be viewed and treated as a "chick" (i.e. brainless and fluffy) by men in elevators, and men such as Professor Dawkins. This is how the matrix works, and how it works against women.

Men such as Dawkins, and Mr. Hitchens are said to be more "enlightened" than most, which is why so many were taken aback by his remarks--but I have my doubts as to how "enlightened" they really are. They may claim to support the rights of women, and may stand up for the rights of women--but the insidiousness of the Abrahamic doctrine that women are "sexual objects" is still in their thoughts, even if they don't think so. This was illustrated by Professor Dawkins' sarcasm, and also by Mr. Hitchens in his book,"God is Not Great."

In his book, Mr. Hitchens spoke about the late professor A.J. Ayer,* whom he viewed as upstanding moral man, when in fact, he had broken "every sexual commandment" there is to break. Mr. Hitchens swept aside Professor Ayer's acts of "disrespecting the sexual code," i.e. disrespecting women, as he qualified the man as an outstanding moral figure by listing his virtues as a loving parent, an excellent teacher, and a man who fought for human rights and free speech--as if disrespecting women (especially his own wife) in this regard was meaningless. Mr. Hitchens said nothing about the rights and feelings of the women Ayer had used and abused during his life, but I do not believe Mr. Hitchens meant to disrespect women intentionally. What his statements do illustrate however, is how insidious and pervasive this patriarchal view of women is in society, as even men such as Mr. Hitchens, and now Professor Dawkins, see nothing wrong with men objectifying women, and say nothing in defense of the women who are hurt and abused (such as Professor Ayer's wife, and Rebecca Watson) in this manner. If this were a world where women were as valued as men, even Mr. Hitchens, and Professor Dawkins would see Professor Ayer's behavior, and the behavior of the "man in the elevator" as inappropriate. It is when women are objectified, that such behavior is seen as "acceptable" by society --and this, it seems, is still how Professor Dawkins, and Mr. Hitchens view women as well. 

 

It certainly illustrates that society as a whole (as Rebecca herself labels herself as a "chick") has a long way to go.....

* God Is Not Great, p. 186

The Irony of Being a Feminist "Chick"

 

In the last week or so, the incident at the CFI Student Leadership Conference involving one of the speakers, namely Rebecca Watson has gone quite viral. Rebecca Watson, a feminist who goes by the name of "SkepCHICK" (my emphasis) on the internet, was in the bar during the conference, and at around 4 in the morning decided she was tired, so she said she was going up to her room to bed.  She talks about her reaction to the incident which occurred on her way to her room in the video below:

 

  

The incident in question involves a man who stepped onto the elevator with her, who then asked her, 'Don't take this the wrong way, but I find you very interesting, and I would like to talk more. Would you like to come to my hotel room for coffee?'

 

Now, most women (like Rebecca) would be taken aback by such a remark, and would not even consider his request, and would probably be frightened to be in an elevator alone with such a man. Granted, it must have been an uncomfortable situation for her, but the man in question did nothing illegal. It could have been much worse, as it has been for so many women who are viewed as "chicks" by men--which brings me to the point of this post. Just like the movie "The Ledge" does nothing to promote positive atheism, Rebecca calling herself a "chick" does nothing to promote positive feminism.

 

I emailed Rebecca about how her moniker as a "Skepchick" is viewed by others, especially men. As a feminist myself, I felt it my duty to do so, as I do not believe she understands the significance of the word when she applies it to herself, which resulted in the following conversation:          

ME: "As a feminist and a philosopher, I cannot help but see the irony in the fact that you mention in the video how some things are "ingrained in our culture" yet you call yourself a "chick"--which is a word that has been "ingrained in our culture" and is a derogatory term that men can use against women. The origin of the word "chick" is said to be the short form for chicken, and its use in American slang is to refer to a young woman, and is attributed to Sinclair Lewis' book "Elmer Gantry (1927):

"He has determined that marriage would cramp his advancement in the church and that, anyway, he didn't want to marry this BRAINLESS LITTLE FLUFFY CHICK, who would be of no help in impressing rich parishioners."  

This is how ingrained the matrix has become--when women who fight to overcome the stereotypes--stereotype themselves! I just thought I would at least inform you of this fact if you were unaware of it.

  

REBECCA: "We are not unaware that "chick" was used in the past in a derogatory way. Many groups reclaim and redefine words used to put them in their place, such as "nigger," "fag," and "bitch.

 

ME: "Thank you for your reply.  However, I would also like to point out that you can only "reclaim" a word in a positive sense, if that word had some positive connotations attached to it in the first place.  "Chick" never had a positive connotation in reference to women.  The stereotyping is so pervasive, no matter how you may view it, the majority will still define it negatively.  I understand why you might think you are "taking back" and empowering the word --but I can guarantee you that the "Boys Club" does not see it that way.  This is why you will continue to have to put up with men in elevators......  Sad, but true."        

REBECCA: "What positive connotation was attached to the words "nigger," "fag," and "bitch" before being reclaimed? And did you really just blame the name of my site for me getting sexually objectified?"

 

ME: "There are no positive connotations associated with any of the words mentioned, except perhaps "bitch" and when they are used by those who believe they are "taking them back"--it reinforces the belief of those in the "boys club" that people are "niggers" "fags" and "chicks"--which is why we have seen so little change in the view of women and minorities by those in power.  The usage of these terms is partly to blame for women being objectified.  I would not blame you for being objectified--we are fighting the same battle.  I blame the system--which unfortunately promotes women objectifying themselves.  "Chick" has no positive connotations associated with it.  "Bitch" may be an exception, as it can mean a strong, forceful woman--but there is nothing to "take back" in being a "chick." I do not mean to offend--just enlighten.  You may disagree with me, and that is your right to do so.  I have been a feminist for a long time, and am well acquainted with the "boys club."  I write against Christianity because it has maintained the pervasive sexism we still see in society."

 

In conclusion, I still maintain that a feminist calling herself a "chick" does nothing to support her cause for equality and respect for women, just as the movie "The Ledge" does nothing to promote positive views of atheism when atheists are portrayed as adulterers. How sad. Mary Daly would not be impressed.