Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Gender studies

This article is part of WikiProject Gender Studies. This WikiProject aims to improve the quality of articles dealing with gender studies and to remove systematic gender bias from Wikipedia. If you would like to participate in the project, you can choose to edit this article, or visit the project page for more information.

Archives
Archive 1 Jan 2006 Archive 2 Jan - June 2006 Archive 3 Sept - Dec 2006

I'm confused

After reading your project page, I'm a little confused about what your project does. The name "gender studies" would seem to imply you improve articles about gender. But your description of what you do and don't do is unclear about whether or not you actually do anything about general gender studies articles. It is also heavily focused on more of a Countering Systemic Bias task, which isn't necessarily all that related to what "gender studies" would imply. Can anyone shed some light on this? --Alynna 05:39, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

I feel the same. Nobody was paying any attention to the Gender Studies page until I mentioned it - and I'm not offically part of this project. While I would concur that countering systemic bias is not necessarily all that related to what "gender studies" would imply, I think it is an appropriate activity for this a group. It would make no sense for us just to address systemic bias in theory. Having said that, you have a point Alynna. The content and accuracy of the Feminist theory and Gender Studies pages, amongst others, is just as important as countering systemic gender bias for Project Gender Studies. --Cailil 19:36, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

I think this project does help these sorts of articles; see the project's to do list. Owen 19:43, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

I understand your point Owen but I slightly disagree. The point I see in Alynna's comment is that this project isn't encouraging both of its aims equally. I recognize that there is a long list of articles that need to be added and NPOV sexist biases that need to be fixed, however if this project is about Gender Studies it cannot ignore Gender Studies. The to do list General is a primary example of this - there's NO gender theory side to it. For example gender theories like Lacan's theory of 'Sexuation' - how a child comes to develop a gender identity - isn't even mentioned in his article or anywhere else in Wikipedia and yet it is fundamental to the development of Gender Studies. I don't want to be arguing and I do apologize if I seem aggressive. I know this seems like I'm nit-picking but I consider this to be very important. I would propose a solution: 2 to do lists. One for the removal of biases - the other for the creation are development of Gender theory articles.--Cailil 19:34, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Would it perhaps be better to 'spin off' the removal of Gender biases aim of this project to a separate WikiProject, and leave WikiProject Gender Studies to focus on improving articles on Gender Studies? - AmishThrasher 01:40, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

That would be a straight forward solution to the issue. However, In my opinion WP:GS is the right place to ask for help to resolve issues of gender bias. I think the Aims and Editing considerations of the current project page, and the general guidelines of the to do list could be combined in a new section specifically and only about removing systematic bias. Maybe we should try to find consensus about whether we should: A) Spin-off bias removal into a sperate WikiProject. or B) Re-organize the project pages (aims, overview, To do list) to focus equally on both Gender theory and bias removal. Personally I'm in favour of the project pages just being reorganized.--Cailil 18:50, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

My personal preference would be to separate into two projects, but I would not be averse to balancing and clarifying the one project instead. --Alynna 19:18, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

I actually think I agree. I believe that both projects are necessary, but not necessarily similar enough to overlap within one project. It's also true that bias removal overlaps with Countering Systemic Bias, but I think that it's a project in itself (CSB has many issues to deal with, and a project focusing on this key area would probably be beneficial.) The Gender Studies WikiProject should cover, well, gender studies. I don't know what the other project should be called; perhaps WikiProject Gender Neutrality? Owen 05:02, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

• WP:CSGB ? or WP:CSB-G? I think the countering systemic bias / gender issues should be a project of CSB, and name should reflect that. --lquilter 16:34, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

OK, sounds good to me. Owen 18:28, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I have to concur with splitting them. Gender studies is an academic discipline; projects working on it would be expected to work on theoretical issues and so forth. Bias removal is a very, very different thing, and would include (a) adding missing articles and language; (b) correcting bias in language, categorization, and unjustifiable discrepancies in coverage; and so on. Moreover, as long as these two separate aims are wedded here in this single project, it is going to cause difficulty for people working on either one of the aims. Critics arguing against correcting systemic bias will say it's a specific academic viewpoint (the gender studies perspective). Critics arguing about gender studies articles will say that it's POV based on CSB, not academic. Much, much better to split them. And includes links to "related projects or projects of interest". --lquilter 16:31, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I seem to be in a minority of 1. Spliting the project seems like a straight forward option - a "Descendant" project for "Countering Systematic Gender Bias" (I prefer WP:CSGB) would probably be a logical way forward. I am slightly worried that certain vested interests would attack it (as they attacked here) by claiming it would be no different from WP:CSB. I do agree with lquilter though. I am a Gender Studies academic and I did have discomfort with some of the CSB aims of the project - but I got over them as soon as I responded to a call for help. Some times academics need to get their "hands dirty" - it helps them understand what they're doing instead of just knowing about it. I'm rambling now so I'll just say this, if WP:GS did give birth ("spliting" makes me think of psychopaths) to a Countering System Gender Bias Project I'd hope some links would be maintained for the mutual good of both projects : )--Cailil 16:52, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree it would make it a vulnerable project. But as long as we make it clear the purpose is strictly to eliminate the bias of gender practiced throughout Wikipedia, I don't know what serious grounds there are for deleting it. We'll just have to work with people to make sure it's focused with gender neutrality rather than implementing a feminine (or masculine) bias. Keeping ties between the two projects is probably also a good idea. Owen 18:36, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I think it would be fair to say that there is a consensus for creating a new project for CSGB. I'd like to propose a few ammendments to this group's aims (I'm leaving in remove systemic gender bias until the new group is up)

Aims of this project

1. To create and/or improve articles associated with Gender Studies, Gender Theories and gender issues (including femininities, masculities, feminists and transgender issues).
2. To remove systematic gender or sexist bias from Wikipedia.
3. To address the lack of gender diversity in wikipedia.
4. Where a Gender Studies writer has written on a given topic, that position should be put forward on the appropriate article (as well as any criticisms or critiques).
5. To create a thriving WikiProject.
6. To bring every Gender Studies related article up to FA status.
7. To ensure that internal organisation of Gender Studies articles is consistent.
8. To maintain or improve articles that come under our jurisdiction within Wikipedia's Neutral Point of View policy.

What this Wikiproject is not

1. This project does not extol any point of view, political or otherwise, other than that of a neutral documentarian. This project does not exist to correct any perceived pro-female or perceived anti-male bias. This project is gender neutral and operates as such.
2. This project does not seek to write general critiques of articles about gender-related topics.
3. This project does not limit itself to European/North American issues.
4. This project is not a space for writing feminist, masculinist or LGBT critiques of society.
5. This project does not seek to introduce a POV bias (to either articles, or Wikipedia in general). Rather, the aim is to improve the quality of articles, which deal with gender and Gender Studies, within the Neutral Point of View policy.
6. This project is not a vehicle for self-promotion (see WP:COI and WP:V).

Like my other edits I haven't removed anything - I've added a few things and reworded others but they're not all that different. What do people think?--Cailil 20:41, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Looks generally good. One question (and this might be irrelevant after the new project is created): what does "This project does not exist to correct any perceived pro-female or perceived anti-male bias." mean? --Alynna 00:21, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

Its really just a rephrase of "This project does not aim to correct a perceived pro-female or anti-male bias in Wikipedia". You'll see in some Trolling of this group that some people percieve the female focus of feminist articles to be biased - this is not gender bias but has been misrepresented by these Trolls as such (you may notice too that the male focus of masculinism is not attacked). My italicizing of "percieved" might be a bit heavy handed though--Cailil 14:30, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

So is it just saying "If you have a problem with the feminist articles, go away"? --Alynna 17:25, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

No, not really. This project is involved in redressing genuine anti-male bias aswell as anti-female or any other gender bias. The clause in question is about "what gender bias is" and "what it is not." My example about femininism may need explication. Feminist articles talk about women because feminism is (or at least most of it is) about women (vice versa for masculinism) - this is not bias. Other articles talk only from a male perspective but are about people (or the wider universe) - this is bias because it is talking about all people (or so-called universals, like the laws of physics) but only from a male perspective. Its not just a "if you don't like feminists - get lost" clause and it shouldn't be used that way. One must understand bias and be able to back claims of it up with proof, examples & evidence - rather than just accusing something they don't like (or are frightened of) of being biased (see the recent conversation with a Troll). I hope this helps a bit : )--Cailil 20:32, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

Ahh, ok. I get it now. Maybe it could be rephrased a bit more clearly? --Alynna 14:18, 25 January 2007 (UTC)

Your right it is unclear, maybe we should all have a think about rephrasing it because it is central to this groups' efforts.--Cailil 20:49, 26 January 2007 (UTC)

Is this the right project to look to for help?

Save Indian Family is an Indian mens-rights organization, and the article is seriously one-sided. I am having trouble finding enough outside sources about the organization to effectively rewrite, especially as the article is aggressively defended, apparently by people associated with the organization. Anyone else want to give this page a try? -FisherQueen (Talk) 12:37, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Just got around to looking at the page today. It is a really problematic page - the attacks launched on you are pretty unjustifiable. I'll put some time into researching the SIFF over the next few days. Hopefully one of us will find some reliable objective information : ) --Cailil 14:31, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Feminists are the ones, who publish notoriously one-sides articles. Here is an example: Bride burning.Save Indian Family is a registered Indian Family rights organisation, because feminists have betrayed innocent women in India by receiving huge funds from Western countries(US and Europe). Innocent women, elders and even minors are getting jailed[1] due to pressure from feminist lobbies. It is important that feminists in these countries desist from cultural invasion and exporting "legal terrorism"[2] to India and China in the name of promoting Gender Equality. By the way, why "Gender Studies" is not about study of both genders "equally"? Both Fisherqueen and Cailil are not Indians and they have little knowledge on the subject and still, due in shear intolerance, they deleted large number of citations and content from the article with malicious intent to push it towards an Afd.Newageindian 16:50, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Newageindian Gender Studies is the study of all genders equally. I have not editted the SIFF page. I looked for consensus and proposed an edit, as I have already said on the SIFF talk page. It has already been pointed out to that you were in violation of WP:AGF, WP:CIVIL, and WP:NPA.--Cailil 17:58, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

This issue is being resolved amicably on the article's talk page. If anyone has anything to contribute to the article please do at Save Indian Family.--Cailil 18:28, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

new userboxes for project

Hi all, I've made some updated userboxes for teh project in my sandbox (see later message). Please have a look. The project messagebox needs to be updated the old one is very awkward - even if it is better looking that my one. I'd like to update the Usebox aswell - to make it purple instead of pink and to make the code much simpler. What does anyone else think? I also think we should to use the neutral gender symbol with the transparent background--Cailil 18:35, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

I like those. "and remove" could be "and to remove", but that's not important (it's grammatical either way). --Alynna 19:20, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks Alynna I took your wording suggestion. I've also added a few extra templates as well as award icons, barnstars and a white project message box in my sandbox. Here's a very early draft of what the page might look like: new WP:GS draft1 (I went ahead and made a few aesthetic alterations to teh project as well as creating some neccessary subpages)--Cailil 13:00, 19 January 2007 (UTC) Begun uploading some of the aesthetic changes that will help the project immediately. I've left the message box as purple for the moment apricot (standard) or white alternatives are readily available.--Cailil 16:09, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

• I like purple instead of pink (did it get changed when I didn't notice? The old ones that I see aren't pink?) --lquilter 16:44, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Yeah lquilter I changed tem at about 16:20 UTC - made a few other additions on the project page as well.--Cailil 18:23, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

• I'm not really graphically inclined, but a few thoughts. (1) On WikiProject Gender Studies tasks to do - Having the icon in the heading of the project seems to make more sense; it's a type of logo; and it is a more efficient use of space. But I liked the extra white space/graphic in the original version. (2) I don't see a difference in the userbox, or the article message box (except for variant colors). (3) varying levels of user award boxes & barnstars - it seems a bit much to me. (but then i'm not really a fan of these kinds of things.) (4) The article message box - I'm a fan of consistency with other such message boxes, and at the same time a fan of shrinking all of them down to something that is not so overwhelming on every talk page. I guess these look fine, relative to all the other ones. --lquilter 16:44, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for looking at them lquilter. I'll try to reply in order to your comments. (1) If you like the "white space" in the tasks box, it could be easily reintroduced. (2)I didn't change much in the Userbox's look (its mainly just the old logo "bulked-up" and transparent & turned purple) but I actually redid the code so that it's much simpler. (3) I agree with you about the awards - I've added the Barnstar to the real page on its own (in the words of Fr. Dougal McGuire "I went a bit mad there";) ) - the other awards are probably unneccesssary and confusing. (4) The message box will shrink if we reduce the text in it either in size or quantity. I kept the purple colour so that it wasn't so much of an alteration, I prefer the standard apricot one myself.

As mentioned above I've made the graphics changes to the project and added some subpages. If anyone wants them reverted please discuss here. I've left the "peer review" sub-page for the moment, until everyone I've contacted has had a chance to take examine the new look and feel.--Cailil 18:55, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

• I've altered the message box again to make it comply with WP:1.0 - unfortunately I can't get to be small & purple in this form (at least at the moment) as soon as I can do that I will update it.--Cailil 01:10, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Archives

I've standardized the archives box on this page. I was just wondering if we should introduce some bots for archiving?--Cailil 01:49, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I've gone ahead and made another archive of this page, I've left the open discussions here. We're having enormous amounts of trolling about POV here and I recommend we create a special archived for the repeated POV checks from the IP user(s), his latest discussion is below and comes to 10,019 letter spaces (from him alone). Also I found an archive of a 'missing' talk page [3] should this be added in an "Archive 0" or is it deliberately excised?--Cailil 15:40, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Is there a similar project for racism?

I'm having quite a lot of trouble. It's explained here.--futurebird 01:41, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

POV check

Content in question:

Project overview

Observation suggests that males are over-represented on Wikipedia, though there has not been a proper survey to back this up. The aim of this Project is to correct any systematic gender bias on Wikipedia. If you're interested, add your name to the list of contributors!

This project is blatantly biased toward "oppression" or "gender" feminist POV. It is reverse sexist in that it allows editors who use 'gender' in misandric, pejorative or in outright ridiculous ways to act as what Christina Hoff Sommers calls "Gender Wardens" in Who Stole Feminism. This kind of totalitarian thought control is typical of gender-feminist academics according to Patia and Koerge in Professing Feminism: Scholarship and Indoctrination in Women's Studies.

Therefore, I insist this project overview be balanced to reflect all possible abuses of the term 'gender' including those that feminists indulge in. Please see misandry for sources on how gender-feminists rape the language with 'gender' as a front for man-hate. Constant whining about bias and victimhood from fascist gender-feminists is far from NPOV and quite ridiculous when one reads about the covert, cunning, and ugly totalitarian tactics 'gender'-feminists use to dominate public discussion. (drop in editor)

Could you cite some examples of the bias please? futurebird 03:12, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Be glad too. Let me pull in book review comments from Amazon which are better written than my comments here. (drop in editor)

I was thinking of examples of anti-male bias here at wikipedia. futurebird 03:18, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Amazon book reviews of well-reviewed books that show feminist abuses of the term 'gender' seem quite relevant to this question but since you see no need for them I will not waste my time. A reverse sexist bias is clearly stated in the project overview above which refers only to one sex's (I use gender for gender and sex for sex) issues. When I try to balance that content in this project my content is deleted. There are so many "fascist"-feminist abuses of this word on wiki that I have no idea where to start other than to refer you to better authors than I. On real cunning abuse is to use 'gender' for 'sex' and 'sex' for 'gender' to push feminist 'theory' which is really an untested and oft-falsified theory. (drop in editor) 128.111.95.217 03:33, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

So, you feel this project is biased. The trajectory and concerns of this project are based on the bias currently found in wikipedia-- I am serious, if there are "ant-male" articles, I'd like to know about them, as would otheh This is a project about Gender Studies, so if there is a lack of balance we'll do what we can to help....I can't, however, help you with amazon.

I need no help with Amazon. I just asked you to glance at a few sources that show what I mean here. They explain complex "gaming" of 'gender' by gynocentric feminists far better than I can in a short time here. (drop in editor) 128.111.95.217 03:52, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Also, I must say that, when you use terms like "fascist"-feminist I get the distinct impression you have a strong "POV" It's seems like a bit of hyperbole. --futurebird 03:36, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Yeah I have no less a strong POV than all the victim-feminist editors who took the time to build this cunning, covert and blatantly biased project page. As for the term "fascist" that is a term directly from Legalizing Misandry a huge and exhaustively researched recent text on systemic man-hate by feminists who use 'gender' as a "front"...(their words.) I tend to get a little bothered by blatant violations of NPOV here. (drop in editor)

• 128.111.95.217 please refrain from sarcastic remarks about theory - if you are not interested there are plenty of other Wikipedia articles & projects that need work. I refer you to WP:NPA also. I will say to that points like yours have already been made a number of times on this page. The part of the project tha you are questioing is a what this project is not : This project does not aim to correct a perceived pro-female or anti-male bias in Wikipedia. Please note the word "perceived". I take note of your concern that the words gender and sex are being confused. I refer you to Gender and Gender Studies for the clear definition of gender in Gender studies terms. I also refer you to Judith Butler for more on this. I am going to remove your POV tag - this is a project NOT an article, tagging it as such is incorrect an might be seen as vandalism. BTW, your statement above cites no sources - I am willing and very happy to discuss any evidence you have of such views as long as it is notable and verfiable--Cailil 03:45, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

You might start with reverse-sexist and unsubstantiated Projects overview (above) that refers only to one form of bias. That is a dead giveaway that this is about one form but not all forms of abuse of the term gender. Cunning, covert and ugly gynocentric abuses of this term can be found in virtually all articles on feminism...all I ask is that these abuses be called out here as well as the usual so-called 'patriachal oppressions'.

I made no sarcastic remarks about (feminist) theories. These theories have been shown to be mere recycled ideologies by Patia and Koerge (feminists), by Nathanson and Young and other reputable researchers. To call recycled Marxism, Romanticism or Classism a 'theory' rather than an ideology would be pejorative. Patia and Koerge go on at length about the abuse of science and scholarship for political purposes in Professing Feminism. (drop in editor) 128.111.95.217 03:55, 21 January 2007 (U

• I am unclear with what you are questioning. That males might be over represented on Wikipedia. Your a man. I'm a man. That's 2 out of the 3 people using this page right now. Besides the overview puts forward the idea of a survey. I would refer you further to aims of this project and its What this project is not. Can you spell out what & where you found in articles about feminism more specifically please? You placed theory within inverted commas (implying that they are "so-called") I apologise if I misunderstood you. However a feminist theory is not at isue here, Gender studies is not a theory or an ideology it is a field of inquiry. Wow the last time I heard Patia and Koerge mentioned here was when this was still Women's studies. Come to think of it, it was in an argument very similar to this one satrted by IP User 71.102.254.114 [4]--Cailil 04:07, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I am questioning the reverse-sexist focus of this project...it is clearly a front for the gynocentric gender wardens as currently created. There is no mention of blatant FEMALE gynocentrism and reverse-sexism in the project overview...nor are there balanced NPOV references to explain the basis for this project included. To me, all forms of abuse of the term 'gender' belong here if this project is be NPOV. To focus on just one sex's concerns is absurd when both sexes abuse the term for political POV pushing. (drop in editor) 128.111.95.217 04:13, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

• That's the problem with your complaint, this is a project not an article. If you are concerned that this project is biased RfC it. If you have any specific, verifiable issues with Gender Studies articles please raise them. I will also point out that the 2nd aim of this project is To correct any sexism or gender bias in Wikipedia articles. Personally I feel this clearly about both sexes. I would not be here if it was not.--Cailil 04:21, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Then please spell this out so it is clear here. I see no mention of here of reverse sexist gynocentric gender biases that are so common in the women's studies section of any bookstore. I also see no mention here of the covert, cunning and ugly misandric uses of the word gender here. Reverse sexism is much harder to see than the usual forms of sexism. I ask that you review Legalizing Misandry which explains this issue far better than I. (drop in editor) 128.111.95.217 04:25, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I also believe that I have every right to edit this project as a project in line with all of it's stated aims. Are you saying I have no right to weigh in here other than in some form of dispute resolution? I support the basic aims here but I insist that they be non-sexist and NPOV so that no one sex or gender is seen as the problem when each uses ugly tactics. I am going to edit a few statements on the project to correct obvious POV issues. Please offer constructive comments or edits. (drop in editor128.111.95.217 04:33, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

• This is what you have added the POV tage for, right? This is a simple fact. There are far more biographies of men than women. Hence men are over-represented. We can't counter systemic bias if we can't even point out when it exists. I mean, unless you seriously think that women are over-represented... I'm removing the POV. It's not warranted. futurebird 04:49, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I do indeed believe that in articles on feminism females are overrepresented and the articles are blatantly biased toward gynocentric POV's (drop in editor) 128.111.95.217 05:07, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

128.111.95.217 do not create an edit war. If you're interested in WP:GS please join. But your edits are not consensus and may look like vandalism. The correct procedure for altering aims of ANY project is to seek consensus. You have no consensus to make one of these edits. '''Being bold''' does not stretch this far. I have asked you a number of times for specifics you have provided none. If you are the same user that attempted this same action before please stop wasting your time an our time. Please do not disrupt Wikipedia to make a point. I will say this one final time if you are truely concerned about bias on this or any oter page RfC it--Cailil 04:58, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I have no interest in an edit war. I listen to feedback but to call this consensus is a bit much. Please review the very reasonable ePOV Check: Freedom of speech in feminism and gender related articles?

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Feminism" dits I have made to correct obvious POV in the project and then discuss your issues with me for some sort of consensus. (drop in editor) 128.111.95.217 05:07, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

• • Other editors observe that female are overrepresented on Wikipedia again with no proper survey to back this up. I take it that is you. Let's do a survey right now. Pick a random date such as today January_21 count the number of men and women mentioned on the page. Of the 86 people listed as being born on Jan. 21, 14 are women, that's about 16 percent. I used births since the deaths listed have even fewer women. Now you try. Pick ANY date you like, the result will be similar. futurebird 05:15, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

128.111.95.217 your edits may be reasonable in YOUR opinion, but this is a project for multiple users all of whose views should be represented. You have started an edit war by editting this project without consensus. If you want to propose your views to the group as a suggestion for consensus do so here when you get a consensus for your edits make them, otherwise stop editing this project please your views may not be as appropriate as you think.--Cailil 05:23, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

POV Check: Freedom of speech in feminism and gender related articles?

Feminist Phyllis Chessler in her (2006) The Death of Feminism (Chapter 1: The "Good" Feminist) makes the following statements about totalitarian thought control in elite feminist, academic, and media circles. I added Chessler's thoughts here after noticing that there is almost no gender-neutral NPOV balance in this project. All I am asking is that we be sex and gender-neutral in this project and that we refrain from the usual totalitarian feminist tactics to use 'gender' as a gynocentric front for gyoncentric, reverse sexist, and misandric assertions of female-as-'gender' oppression. (drop in editor) 128.111.95.47 05:24, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

"Does she (an unnamed lifelong Democratic feminist in New York mentioned in the preceding paragraph) believe that engaging in dialogue with the designated "enemy" somehow constitutes traitorous behavior? If so, and I suspect this is the case, I must ask: Is she only afraid of the Republicans--who have not abolished her First Amendment right to speak out as feminist and who have not rescinded the Fourth Amendment against improper search and seizure--or is she afraid of the media and the academic elite who view civil conversation with anyone who opposes them as a high crime?"

"It is crucial to note that our government has not criminalized free speech nor have dissidents been jailed for saying whatever they please. In my opinion, the chilling of free speech has been unilaterally imposed by those who claim to act on its' behalf."

"What sort of group or person refuses to recognize the existence of and refuses to even talk to, no less hire, someone with whom they disagree? What sort of group or person persistently slanders and demonizes those with whom they happen to disagree on key political issues? What sort of group or person demands uniform party-line thinking--and is powerful enough to coerce people into "hiding" their potentially dissident views, sometimes even from themselves"? "Surely I must be talking about the power of the former Soviet state or Nazi Germany, Maoist China, or any one of the many Islamic dictatorships; or I must be describing Republican or conservative thinking. Alas, I am not."

"Today totalitarian thinking is also flourishing among media and academic elites. Oddly enough, such totalitarian thinking and its consequent thought control are flying high under the banners of "free speech" and "political correctness". Dare to question these elites' rights to expose or challenge them, and you'll quickly be attacked as representing a new and more dreadfull form of "McCarthyism" and "witch hunting".