On Telegram, I saw a heart-wrenching, almost stomach-turning clip of a poor little girl from Gaza with barely anything left but skin on her bones and with some really terrible burns.
The pink-white encircling her eyes like a pair of goggles symbolically underlines the innocence of this poor creature, a hapless victim of a war which has nothing to do with her, except that she was born in the wrong part of a country whose people have been in the process of being deprived of their ancestral lands by another group of people mainly of European stock for now more than seventy-five years.
Her almond-shaped eyes, bigger than an adult’s in proportion to her head (as children’s eyes are), seem to be calling out for help as well as saying ‘Why has this happened to me? Why must I suffer excruciating pain for a war which I did not take part in?’ It is really difficult not to shed some tears when watching the camera as it moves from her head to her feet to show this poor little girl’s emaciated legs, forearms and hands, all sporting patches of pink-white – which are of course the parts where her skin has come off. The burns and the lack of food have turned her into a living mummy. What an awful sight for a person with a conscience to see the suffering of an innocent girl in such pain and shock on a hospital bed wondering why such an ordeal has to be happening to her.
WARNING: DISTURBING FOOTAGE
[Click on the picture with the right
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Original source unknown.
It is hard to feel anything but disgust at the soldiers and politicians responsible for this. All of whom are mainly men. Men who planned the attack of 7th October, men who carried it out and, in the main, men who are now exacting revenge on a population constituted overwhelmingly of civilians. Men also who designed the fighter planes and the bombs or the shells and men who flew the planes which dropped the bombs or men who operated the howitzer which fired the shell which hit her and burnt her so badly.
This reminded me of a claim made by some feminists, which is that there is something wrong with men given that it is mainly them who ‘rape, kill and wage war’ – https://yandex.com/search/?text=violence+men+war+feminism.
As I did on Wednesday, I turned to Bing’s Copilot for some ‘food for thought’, but the answers to my question I got are terribly ‘woke’:
Me:
Given that war is waged predominantly by men what to make of the claim made by some feminists that 'only men rape, kill and wage war'?
Copilot:
The assertion that “only men rape, kill, and wage war” is a simplification that does not accurately represent the complexity of human behavior. Let’s break down this claim:
-
War and Conflict:
- Historically, men have indeed been more prominently involved in warfare and military conflicts. This is partly due to traditional gender roles, societal expectations, and historical power structures.
- However, it is essential to recognize that women have also played significant roles in conflicts throughout history. Women have been warriors, spies, resistance fighters, and leaders in various armed struggles.
- In recent times, there has been a gradual shift toward greater inclusion of women in armed forces and peacekeeping missions. Many countries now allow women to serve in combat roles.
-
Rape and Violence:
- The claim that “only men rape” oversimplifies a deeply complex issue. While it is true that the majority of sexual violence perpetrators are male, it is essential to avoid generalizations.
- Men can also be victims of sexual violence, and women can be perpetrators. Acknowledging this does not diminish the importance of addressing male violence but highlights the need for a nuanced approach.
- Factors contributing to sexual violence include power dynamics, cultural norms, trauma, and individual behavior. These factors affect people of all genders.
-
Feminist Perspectives:
- Feminism is a diverse movement with various perspectives. Some feminists may make strong statements to highlight gender disparities and advocate for change.
- However, it is crucial to recognize that most feminists do not believe that “only men” engage in harmful behaviors. Instead, they seek to challenge harmful gender norms and promote equality.
- Feminists also work toward dismantling patriarchy, which harms both men and women by perpetuating rigid gender roles.
-
Context Matters:
- Context matters when discussing gender and violence. Societal structures, cultural norms, and historical contexts influence behavior.
- Rather than focusing on absolutes, we should address systemic issues, promote education, and work toward a more equitable society.
In summary, while there are gender disparities in violence and conflict, it is essential to avoid oversimplifications. Recognizing the complexities allows us to address these issues more effectively and work toward a safer and more just world for everyone. 🌟
Me:
Can you give me some names of feminists who have explored violence and more specifically war as being purely gender-based?
Copilot:
Certainly! Several feminists have delved into the gendered aspects of violence and war. Here are some notable scholars and their work:
- Cynthia Enloe:
- Enloe is a prominent feminist scholar who has extensively researched the intersections of gender, militarism, and international relations.
- Her book "Bananas, Beaches, and Bases: Making Feminist Sense of International Politics"1 provides critical insights into how gender shapes global power dynamics, including war and conflict.
- Carol Cohn:
- Cohn’s groundbreaking essay "Sex and Death in the Rational World of Defense Intellectuals"1 examines the language used by defense experts and how it perpetuates gendered norms within military contexts.
- She highlights how war discourse often reinforces masculine ideals and downplays the human costs of conflict.
- Cynthia Cockburn:
- Cockburn’s work focuses on the gendered dimensions of war, particularly women’s roles in conflict zones.
- Her book "The Space Between Us: Negotiating Gender and National Identities in Conflict"1 explores how women navigate their identities during war and peacebuilding processes.
- Laura Sjoberg:
- Sjoberg’s research centers on feminist security studies and the impact of gender on war and violence.
- Her book "Gender, Justice, and the Wars in Iraq"1 critically analyzes the Iraq War through a gender lens, revealing how gender norms influence military strategies and outcomes.
- Chandra Talpade Mohanty:
- While not exclusively focused on war, Mohanty’s work on colonialism, feminism, and global justice sheds light on the gendered implications of violence.
- Her essay "Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses"1 challenges Eurocentric perspectives and highlights the importance of intersectional analyses.
Remember that these scholars approach the topic from diverse angles, emphasizing the need to consider gender in understanding violence, conflict, and war. Their work contributes significantly to feminist scholarship and our understanding of the complexities involved. 🌟
(1) Gender, Feminist Consciousness, and War - JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2111544.
(2) Gendered Wars, Gendered Memories: Feminist Conversations on War .... https://www.routledge.com/Gendered-Wars-Gendered-Memories-Feminist-Conversations-on-War-Genocide-and-Political-Violence/Altinay-Peto/p/book/9781138616615.
(3) Feminism, International Relations and War - Cambridge University Press .... https://assets.cambridge.org/97811070/41875/excerpt/9781107041875_excerpt.pdf.
(4) Feminists Against Sexual Violence in War: The Question of Perpetrators .... https://gwonline.unc.edu/node/10787.
(5) Women’s human rights and gender-related concerns in ... - OHCHR. https://www.ohchr.org/en/women/womens-human-rights-and-gender-related-concerns-situations-conflict-and-instability.
Me:
Any additional names?
Copilot:
Certainly! Here are a few more feminist scholars who have explored the gendered aspects of violence, war, and conflict:
-
Catharine MacKinnon:
- MacKinnon is a legal scholar and feminist activist known for her work on sexual harassment, pornography, and violence against women.
- Her book “Toward a Feminist Theory of the State” critically examines how legal systems perpetuate gender-based violence.
-
Judith Butler:
- While not exclusively focused on war, Butler’s work on gender performativity and vulnerability has implications for understanding violence.
- Her book “Frames of War: When Is Life Grievable?” explores how certain lives are deemed more valuable than others during conflicts.
-
Hilary Charlesworth:
- Charlesworth’s research centers on international law, human rights, and gender.
- Her work highlights the impact of armed conflicts on women and the need for gender-sensitive approaches to peacebuilding.
-
Ruth Seifert:
- Seifert’s book “The Vanishing Lure of War: Gender and the Decline of Military Virtue” examines changing perceptions of war and masculinity.
Remember that feminist scholarship is diverse, and these scholars contribute valuable insights to our understanding of violence, power dynamics, and social justice. 🌟
Whatever the real reason behind this apparent propensity in men to commit acts of extreme violence, let us pray that this war will end soon.
Lausanne, the above was
published on the twelfth day of the
third month of the year two thousand and
twenty-four.
