You know, I guess it had never occurred to me that I stick up for women writers, Shannon Ashley. In fact, my brow wrinkled when I read what you wrote.
Then I went back through a few day’s comments and applause, and what do you know? I’m pretty supportive, just on a number’s basis, of women writers.
As a gay man, I’ve never been the type to have stereotypical straight-gal besties and all that, or at least I don’t think so.
So I ask myself what’s going on. And I think the answer is that I instinctively recognize that the impulses that create bias against gay men and other gender and sexual minorities spring from sexism and paternalism.
So when I read women who fight back against that, I vibrate in sympathy. Sexism sets my teeth on edge.
But the paternalistic sort of power abuse of sexism springs from even deeper roots, I think, from a dark place in the human spirit that also creates racism and xenophobia, which is why Sam McKenzie Jr. and Estacious(Charles White) are always high on my must-read list.
In different ways, they each stand for decency and common humanity.
I’m going to make sure I follow everyone on your list. Thanks! If I could be so bold, I might suggest another must-read writer. Clay Rivers isn’t as prolific as some, but his thoughts on our common human family always inspire me and often encourage me to be and do better.
Thanks for the mention, Shannon! I appreciate it so much.
Jim