From: "Mark Waller" <malcontent-AT-ev1.net>
Subject: on alpha males
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2004 11:05:42 -0500


This is a multi-part message in MIME format.


I've seen some negative reaction to my statement about techniques of
domination used by "alpha males" in list-discussions.  It's difficult to
judge how much the negativity is "tongue-in-cheek" and "good-natured", but
the fact is that ALL reaction I have seen to this has been negative.

Clearly I cannot make blanket statements based on gender.  Nonetheless, the
communication styles of men tend to differ somewhat from those of women, and
one consequence of that difference is that women are much less likely to
make their voices heard in a social setting where they feel they constantly
have to shout to be heard, and to defend themselves once they have been
heard.

Of course, some women are more than happy to stand up for themselves in the
middle of all the testosterone-laden gestures of domination.  But many are
not.  Also, some men will choose to simply be silent rather than fight to be
heard.  When these people - male or female - simply "lurk" or just go away,
it is a loss to our groups and to our movement.

The negative reaction to my assertion among this group has focused on my
mention of "male" and "cursing" and "sarcasm", all of which can be, of
course, normal, natural, and acceptable elements of discussion among peers.
But I am trying to call attention to domination, coercion, and manipulation,
and ESPECIALLY to the fact that we tend to engage in these behaviors
unconsciously.  I don't think a single person on this list was born and
raised in a society free of hierarchy and oppression, and thus we all have
internalized patterns of behavior that reinforce that very system that we
all claim to adamantly oppose.  If we really do oppose hierarchies and the
oppression which naturally accompanies them, then we must actively work to
oppose the methods by which such structures are maintained, even when this
applies to our selves.

To be clear: I'm not criticizing anyone's cursing or sarcasm in and of
itself.  I engage in both constantly.  I am only asking for those of us who
are committed to anarchism to make a positive effort to create space where
folks who are a little less hard-edged can feel like welcome and equal parts
of our community.  I am not criticizing anyone, or telling anyone to act
differently.  I am pointing out some general patterns I see here, and asking
you all to consider whether or not my observation is valid, and whether or
not you might individually be able to do something to make space for people
whose communication styles are less aggressive.

I know I am new to the list, so in one sense, I might have a poor
understanding of the dynamics here, and I might be perceiving patterns of
hierarchy and oppression where none exist.  But on the other hand,
regardless of whether my perceptions are accurate on this, there are almost
certainly others who have been and will be perceiving (or mis-perceiving)
the same thing, and the fact that I am new might give me the ability to
recognize something that the rest of you have just grown accustomed to.

If anyone wants to find out more on this topic, do a google search on
anti-oppression.  Here's a good place to start:
"Tools for White Guys who are Working for Social Change…and other people
socialized in a society based on domination"
http://www.xyonline.net/tools.shtml
Also, Radical Activist Network of Trainers has good materials on this:
http://rantcollective.org/article.php?id=17
And of course you don't have to be white or male etc., to perpetuate
oppression.  Anyone can perpetuate it, and anyone can resist it.

p.s. I frequently fuck up when I attempt to say things to make things
better, so please let me know if you have suggestions for how I might be
able to communicate these ideas in a more helpful way.  Thanks.
-Mark Waller
______________________________________
You can't correct faulty blueprints by hiring new construction workers.

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