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Elizabeth (the delinquent, ecumenical) ([personal profile] hermionesviolin) wrote2011-09-01 11:24 am

Remind me why I'm not supposed to like Sady Doyle?

So, my introduction to Alyssa Bereznak/Jon Finkel thing was Sady's Tiger Beatdown piece.

I feel like I remember reading stuff about Sady being problematic, but I can't remember or find them now. So my Subject Line question is a genuine one. Though, okay, it would probably be more accurately phrased as, "Remind me why I am advised to be cautious with Sady?" since yes, I know that people's fail does not totally negate their humanity or anything.

I delicious'ed a bunch of Thirteenth Child stuff yesterday for easy linking when I GR reviewed Dealing With Dragons, and I continue to be reminded that delicious'ing EVERYTHING is a good idea, because I will find myself hours to years later looking for something I remember reading and can't find again.

And speaking of problematic people leaving a bad aftertaste, this UCC "devotional" has been going around since it came out yesterday, and now I'm disinclined to read the author's co-authored book This Odd and Wondrous Calling: the Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers. There are valid critiques of the "spiritual but not religious" zeitgeist, and the author even makes some of them, but the way she goes about it is all wrong for the "devotional" format, and I experience her as meaner-than-me-who-is-too-mean-to-be-a-pastor. Edit: Julia linked to this response to the "devotional."

[identity profile] inlovewithnight.livejournal.com 2011-09-01 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
She was involved in a meltdown regarding the movie Sucker Punch where she dismissed the experiences and viewpoints of rape survivors who found the film empowering. It was a drawn-out, hurtful example of total failure to listen or communicate respectfully, or consider the context of addressing survivors.

She also just has a very consistent track record of not dealing well at all with engaging with constructive criticism or simple disagreement without lashing out.

[identity profile] hermionesviolin.livejournal.com 2011-09-01 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] eponis.livejournal.com 2011-09-01 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
FWIW, I do like Sady Doyle -- but yes, I would also "be cautious" (as with any blogger, particularly those I don't know personally). She states her point of view clearly and unapologetically, even (and especially) when it goes counter to cultural trends. Often, this means that she's a breath of fresh air, calling out problematic elements (sexism, misogyny, rape culture, etc.) that appear in popular culture. But yes, sometimes this means that she tars and feathers something that does also have good or even feminist elements.

I like her a lot. I just don't let her be the sole arbiter of my opinions. :-)