Feministing, this place for the past two years has been my eyeopener not only into the world of feminism. I come to this blog almost everyday. As a feminist, a feminist, a feminist...I've only been calling myself that for the past few months and it feels good, empowering. I don't think I could have done it without you, the editors and some of the commentors. But then I read Zyfron's post and it hit me that I have to leave this place. This! when I finally have a bit of time and feel comfortable enough to begin to contribute to the conversation. I wanted to have a presence here and I am finally starting my own blog (though it's not specifically a feminist blog it will definitely make use of the feminist lens.)
About me...I'm a 21, just graduated from college with a degree in biology, cis, heterosexual as far as I know, born in Taiwan, raised in America--woman.
I was going to list all of the amazing things that I've learned through Feministing, but I need to leave before I lose my nerve, so I need to cut this short...I loved this place. A good friend of mine was telling me how Feministing was not a safe place for a lot of people, and I couldn't believe her. I defended this place and very strongly its editors because I believe that they are very considerate and compassionate people. But as this place grows in size and visibility, I no longer feel a sense of their presence or leadership, instead it is the ignorance and privilege by some of the commentors that barrels to the forefront. I am thankful for the more experienced commentors who are able to rebut and put into proper perspective some of the really craptastic stuff that is said.
But I'm not growing any more, I am at the risk of becoming complacent in the little bit about feminism that I've learned. I'm in danger of absorbing harmful views and silencing behaviors that I am not yet properly educated enough to withstand. The onus is on me to find and go to other resources that don't allow this type of thing to go largely unaddressed. But I think I have to leave mostly in support of those who suffer and are outcasted here--the trans community, people of color (I'm a person of color! that's another thing...as an eastern asian woman...I don't find much for myself here as I try to understand my own identity--but that's a whole other story). It's not good enough when people who suffer have to defend themselves in a place that is supposed to be inclusive and safe. I thought 'the personal is political' was something that is taken seriously here, not 'only some people's problems matter.'
Now I'm hoping for a time when I can come back, either there are some big changes or I feel strong enough to come back and fight. This is an great resource for young feminists and it's developed into an amazing platform for feminism, but it's no longer enough.
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I'm sorry to see you go. I too felt the same way as you a while ago. I posted about being a glamour model in the urban entertainment industry, who still identified as a feminist. Some of the comments I recieved were disgusting. For a second I was completely put off and disappointed in feminists as a whole. I couldn't believe that we had such tunnel vision, or that we had so many requirements for being a "true feminist". It was disheartening, to say the least. But I still stayed because I have learned so much here, and the discussions, though sometimes worthy of a thousand head/desk's..do keep me on my toes.
Again, I wish you well on your journey to enlighten others with your perspective.
I'm also sorry to see you go. Good luck with your blog. I hope to read it. I also hope that the time comes soon when you feel that you can come back. :)
If you want a more mature feminist blog, I'd recommend Shakesville. A higher level of discourse and excellent analysis, and it is unequivocally a safe space, if that's what you're looking for.
Between all that has been mentioned in this post, Zyfron's, and the weight loss ads we keep seeing, I have definitely been visiting less regularly. I know, the editors have addressed the ads, and have said they are working on taking them down. But it seems that they either aren't, or that they don't have much control over their ad space, which is worrisome, as I think one of my first concerns running a blog such as this would be to regulate the outside media that comes onto it.
That being said, I hope this is the last of the dramatic leave-takings in the community posting area. If you don't want to read, don't. It's all good. A letter to the editors, if you feel letting them know might really help the site, would be sufficient.
About the ads: this is by no means a solution, but I've recently discovered AdBlock Plus, and I lurve it. I'm no longer assaulted by acai berry ads or "make money on Google" ads or ads that see my Facebook details and assume that, since I am a woman who has listed "women" in the category of people I am attracted to, I'm automatically a lesbian (I'm pansexual). Like I said, it won't get the ads down, but it makes sure you don't have to see them.
I'm sorry to see you go, and I'm sincerely hoping that this boycott doesn't explode into a mass exodus of trans people and PoC's (and, while I'm at it, other minorities who are silenced on this blog). I'm going to stick around for a while, and pray it gets better. Oh, and I think I'll stay away from commenting, for the most part.