From: dharlem-AT-pipeline.com
Date: Wed, 07 Oct 1998 13:02:39 -0400
Subject: Some thoughts On "the west"  (formerly Re: To Meg...Re: To


Dear Rinita-
I don't know what "essentializing" means.  But I am of the rightly
disparaged  "west", simultaneous to my persecution by it (sigh).   
I'm therefore probably a little subjective about it.
I am opposed to being represented by the typically male and too often
religious-fundamentalist power queens, who are ruining AND running the
world-- EVEN to conscious women the world over, EVEN here, on our
third-world-women list.
I am "the west", Manjusree is "the west", you are "the west", and we all
agree about many many issues.  Still, we are being represented-- even to
each other(!)-- by so-called "leaders" who don't give a damn about us,
basically where EVER we live. So, while we are globally beset by utterly
despot dickistry, while they FEED on us;  we might want to remove ourselves
from THE MAN'S maps and corrals, so we can move forward; strategically, and
coalesced.  And a little less harmed by his toxins.
In this form (Email), where *the border* is the financial privilege of
affording it; establishing a nomenclature not bent on exclusions and
name-calling- particlularly of each other-- is muscular thinking.  
And that's not to say that name-calling is always inappropriate.  When we
DO name-call, it should be precise and concise.  We must cast our
aspersions with accuracy.  By splitting ourselves into hemispheres and
hierarchies, I believe we lose; that there is a better way.  
I say, let's win.  
meg

At 06:17 AM 10/7/98 -0600, you wrote:
>Meg,
>Are you not essentializing ``the west''. As a part of the diaspora
>I am opposed to the ``West'' also, yet I am considered ``Western''
>by my relatives back home and here in the mainstream immigrant
>community. interestingly, when I protested against Vietnam
>in College I was the ``left anti-American''. Now I protested
>against nuclear, I am pro-America!.
>
>
>The ``other'' I guess is always the other!
>
>Rinita
>
>
>