What my paper says

Laura Bates, guest collumnist, writes from the perspective of her new book "Misogynation:The True Scale of Sexism" (Simon and Schuster).
She got me thinking.
Am I a feminist? I think anyone who is in favour of justice is a feminist. Therefore I aspire to be a feminist. Is there more to be done? Having read a number of Victorian novels recently, it is incredible to see how our society, and most societies across the globe, have shifted. But just as builders of modern estates appear to disappear just as  people move into the new houses, leaving numerous jobs 'pending', with the right kind of lens, much work for justice is 'pending'. Reading around my paper I see stories such as 1 in 8 French women report having been raped. Also more discussed about the #MeToo campaign, the Bafta ceremony protest, and BBC claiming it will be a champion for women in the future.

Bates describes six myths that blame women for sexism.  These are:-
1. Women objectify men too. I thought of the two life size cut outs in my female secretaries office of two male film stars.  What would be said of me if I had a lifesize cut out of a female demigod? I think the comparison is different However.  'Power' comes into the equation, and this is subtle. Just as the racism equation goes "prejudice + power = racism" so with male objectification, much as it makes me uncomfortable, as things stand now, the two are not comparable.
2. Women are there own worst enemies.  Again in my paper there is discussion about A French actress has said that men should be allowed to flirt. The 'it's naughty but nice' argument. I am drawn to think of Fritz Fanon's seminal work on mass cultural oppression where he describes the three ways one society can control another. He highlights this as 'alcohol' (keep them pissed), 'gunpowder' (threaten to kill them) and 'factors'. 'Factors' are people from the other side who work for you, like the slave traders. In the year when the Royal Mail printed a set of stamps celebration the sufferagettes (include the extraordinary Princess Sophia Deleep Singh), it is interesting to remember that far more women were signed up to the antisuffrage lobby, than were with the women's movement. However I am sure they were not as passionate about their cause, and not likely to sacrifice much for their cause either.  Much of the status quo was  linked to the Bible, and Christian teaching, which now seems yesterday's battle.
3. There are terrible role models that undermine the cause.  Very true. We are used to seeing women on the red carpet looking pretty cold, with lots of bare flesh. Our society still has a number of clearly unchecked prejudices infavour of young beautiful, women. There some exceptions, and I am a great fan of Clare Baulding, who covered the Winter Olympics beautifully.  As mentioned previously, the book Freakanomics highlights a mathematical examination of prejudice in the American panel show 'the weakest link', showing no bias against women and black players, but clear bias against older players and Hispanics.
4. Women aren't that interested in equality.  As already noted, women in the past did not seem on mass to be motivated to get the vote.  Today I think there would be few who would be willing to turn back the clock.  Indeed, I think that it is a male issue too.  Inequality affects all, and will eventually back fire. It always does.  Britain is still affected by injustices committed by its colonial rule.
5. Why are women not doing more? (Pay gap, leaving violent relationships etc.) I wonder whether one of the reasons for the pay gap is to do with the greater social mindedness amongst women.  Less interested in 'devil take the hind most' self-centred, capitalist motivations. It is known that the women's vote is more to the left wing than men. We now have the women's party, a political movement. It is a well know tactic of oppressors to blame the victim.  We can only be held responsible for our own actions.
A thought I have is to do with our system of democracy. Just as 'Leicester' will be the first Black/Asian majority city in the UK is significant because majorities hold power, when women become truly representative, then they too will hold power. It is therefor essential that majorities treat minorities justly, just as they might like to be treated when it become their turn to be a minority.