Patricia Arquette said "women." She didn't say "white women."

[TeeYiYi]

Why is the internet re-framing Patricia Arquette's plea for equality for ALL women by suggesting that she somehow excluded LGBTQ women and women of color?

She didn't do that. She didn't marginalize gay women and women of color to the exclusion of straight white women. She spoke on behalf of ALL women. She asked that other oppressed groups join in the fight for women's equality.

She's not a racist. She isn't a homophobe. She didn't say "white women only" when referring to wage disparity between men and women.

I am sincerely at a loss as to why Patricia Arquette's words have been twisted and skewed into a huge morass of cognitive dissonance and challenged perception.

TYY

[bravenak]

1. I took it that way myself a bit.

[TeeYiYi]

13. Why did you take it that way?...

Her comment backstage was referring to all oppressed groups of people.

She was saying that "we" (liberal freedom fighters) have been concentrating on marriage equality and #blacklivesmatter, and that we need to begin to include a focus on women's rights. That means ALL women, not just a select few.

TYY

[bravenak]

14. We have been focusing on womens rights all along.

She directed her comments to us as if we have not already been there on the fromt lines. Blacks have been fighting for equality for ever. Feminism has not always been inclusive of black women. We got ignored. And told what to do. That's why there is black feminism and white feminism. Instead of saying it like that she said it differently. Blacks and gays need to fight for womens rights. I felt like once again, black woman is a subcategory. Like always.

[TeeYiYi]

18. That's not what I heard.

I heard her say that "we" have recently been outwardly fighting for the rights of gays and blacks, and that the collective "we" needs to ramp up the fight for the rights of women.

She didn't say "white women." She said "women." ALL women...gay, straight, black, white, trans... She said, "women."

TYY

[bravenak]

19. No. She said it was time for the gays and blacks that 'women' have fought for....

To fight for 'us' now. So, basically, it's time for us to return the favor of 'women' fighting for 'our' rights. We fought for our own rights, black women more than most. Especially gay black women. They owe nothing.
Here is the offensive quote

It's time for all the women in America, and all the men that love women and all the gay people and all the people of color that we've all fought for to fight for us now.

So it sounds like, 'we fought for you, now fight for us.'

[TeeYiYi]

24. She's asking...

...for a renewed focus on women's rights. How does that detract from the fight for gay rights or black rights? It doesn't. She's referring to the collective "we." We, the liberals; the freedom fighters who have always fought for equality and basic human rights.

She's asking for gays, as an oppressed group, and blacks, as an oppressed group, to help fight for the rights of women, as an oppressed group.

TYY

[bravenak]

26. We already have been. We have fewer rights than yr average white woman like her.

Our pay discrepancy is greater as black women and the way she phrased it was enough to cause a conversation. No people have fought harder for equal pay than black people. We do not need the lecture about helping women. Half of us are women and a third of our men are imprisoned at one time or another, leaving us far poorer than our white counterparts. Maybe white feminism ignores the struggles of black women to th point that we do not feel included. Especially when she says that she has fought for us, so now we need to fight for her. She made the distinction between black and white and demanded we fight for a cause that we are on the very front lines of fighting and dying in poverty.

[TeeYiYi]

28. Why do you...

...keep isolating her "whiteness" when she is fighting for wage equality for ALL women?

TYY

[bravenak]

32. Because she isolated my blackness.

[TeeYiYi]

36. How did she do that?...

She asked for a renewed focus on women's rights. That includes you!

She's saying that "we" have been fighting for gay rights and "we" have been fighting for black rights... and now "we" need to focus more on women's rights. How does that exclude you if you are a woman?

TYY

[bravenak]

39. Black women have been fighting for their own rights.

So have black men. Telling us that we (black people)need to fight for women and bring up race, left me out. I'm black first. I have to be. This is America. Black men have always been on our side. We have always focused attention on pay disparity. Black America has always been out in front for social justice. Black America votes Democratic. I felt left out by her saying that black people need to "". Be nice if the lecture could be directed at the people holding back our rights. Black people have done plenty and always have and will.

[TeeYiYi]

45. Patricia Arquette...

...has a history of fighting for the rights of black men and women.

She also recognizes that black women make less money than white women but she is taking a stand for wage equality for ALL women. That includes you.

From one of her tweets:

Guess which women are the most negatively effected in wage inequality? Women of color. #Equalpay for ALL women. Women stand together in this

Why attack someone who is clearly on your side? She is fighting for equal rights for ALL women.

Her sister is transgender.

Patricia Arquette has a track record of being on the side of equal rights for LGBTQ and people of color.

TYY

[Tuesday Afternoon]

46. Thank you for this thread, TYY. This needs to be discussed. It has been on my mind all day.

I am glad you addressed it and brought it out in the open.

[bravenak]

49. Who attacked her?

I said i felt that she was leaving black women out and she worded it poorly. Not my fault she had to say that we need to fight for women rights. Like we haven't already been doing it forever.

[malokvale77]

85. In all due respect...

I believe she was talking about all women.

Yes from the beginning it has been women talking about the rights of all humanity.

Yet to this day, women have less rights then all minorities, even though women are the majority.

I think it a shame that the minority would jump on the majority that cares about the rights of all.

Maybe you are going to eviscerate me for this post, but I ask you to come visit me and see how privileged I'm not.

[bravenak]

86. It was what she said behind the scenes not what she said on stage.

If she had not brought up black people needing to do this or that, she would not have gotten this reaction.
She said basically that women had worked for blacks now it was time for us to work for women. She seems to forget that black women and men did nearly ALL of their own fighting and that it was patronizing to say the least. Very patronizing. We already work for equal rights as black people. She gave the lecture to the wromg group. It came off patronizing. Check out the blavk feminist blogs nd you will see that I am one of the majority of black feminists who took it that way. Not to mention many gays took it that way.

[malokvale77]

87. Mea Culpa bravenak

I guess I did not know what I have fought for all these years.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

139. You have fought for YOUR rights, as so you should. All we're saying is to step

outside of yourself. Stop seeing ONLY yourself as a victim of oppression and think about others within your category who are even worse off. This is the problem with Arquette's statement. Why is that so hard to understand? Black women and Latinas have completely different experiences than the vast majority of white women. When Arquette demands that "BLACKS" fight for women's rights, it smacks Angela Davis in the face; it smacks Alice Walker in the face; it smacks Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman in their faces. It was they--black women--who were the leaders of the Women's Rights Movement. It was Martin Luther King, Jr. who did champion women's rights and all those other black men who joined black women in the right to expand the rights for women.

She should not have demanded anything about what black people need to do. It just didn't sound right. She came off as a condescending, privileged white woman. I'm sorry, but especially seeing everything we've been through, particularly in recent years with all the racism that has resurfaced, I think she really should have just shut the fuck up. Really, I would have respect for her if she had just specified "white women". Bottom line: Her added statement about how women have fought for blacks and LGBT so now "you owe us"...it was so unnecessary. Her speech would have been much more poignant, much more effective had she left that part out.

My grandfather used to tell me, jokingly: You don't have to do anything buy stay black and pay taxes. I'm beginning to think that rings more true than just a pithy saying. Black folk don't have to do anything, but "stay black" and live our lives; we face enough daily strife and struggles of our own to continue to take up causes of others who seldom give a shit about us.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

138. "women have less rights than all minorties"! BULLSHIT!!

White women have MORE rights, not less, than black men and black women.

PERIOD!!!

[Exhibit A]

52. +1, n/t

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

135. She likely posted that tweet after she got loads of backlash from people of color.

Trust me, Black Twitter went in on her immediately! Someone schooled her.

She doesn't need to go to Twitter. She has the platform to make a PUBLIC statement!!

[AverageJoe90]

43. It certainly didn't "exclude" anybody. You are *so* right.

Excellent OP, btw.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

132. As a white woman, her wage is typically higher than blacks. And we've seen white

women raise their voices against affirmative action in the courts and yet, they benefit the most from those very policies. But they'll stand there, complaining about "racial preference" and not differentiating between black men and women. (If they cared, they would note that many more black women enter and matriculate college than black men.) Still, they'll argue against race-based affirmative action, not realizing or caring how that hurts women of color; meanwhile they benefit the most from AA. Not sure if they are ignorant of this fact or know it but just don't give a damn.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

126. We've already been doing that! And how do you ask an already damaged

Last edited Tue Feb 24, 2015, 04:35 PM - Edit history (1)

people to take up a fight who are also members of other oppressed groups: blacks, Hispanics and gays? How should a black or Latina lesbian respond to Ms. Arquette? In fact, I've heard from many of my black lesbian friends and they're all livid at Ms. Arquette, but at the same time, not surprised. See, there's white privilege and racism in the LGBT community, and they tell me of their own mistreatment and marginalization at the hands of white lesbians. Some people face double, even triple disadvantages if they are impoverished...those challenges are magnified if they have children and are single.

Ms. Arquette was not referring to the subjugation of ALL women. I did not get that sense at all, which is why so many women of color (blacks, Latinas, Asian women, etc.) are so upset with her.

She needs to make a statement and set things right.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

40. Are you denying that Not All Black Women are feminists? Are you denying that Not All LGBT are

feminists? Because I can you introduce you to some who are not.

Until ALL people, Each and Every One on this PLANET are feminists then we are ALL not Truly Humanists.

ALL.

EVERY.

ONE.

[bravenak]

47. Not saying that all black women are feminists.

There is a schism in feminism that stems from the downtalking black feminists recieve from white feminists. White feminists decide what feminism is. So black feminists have their own form of feminism. They intersect at points. Many Black feminists are used to being lectured by their white counterparts and being ignored to the point where they do not consider themselves feminists. My sister is one. She refuses to be called feminists because she says they are mostly white women who look down on black women. Like she was just a piece of furniture. There to increase numbers and expected to shut up and go with the flow whether she agreed or not. That was her experience at UCLA. I experienced similar in person.
Maybe there needs to be a discussion about how to allow everyone to feel included.

[Bonobo]

50. Whitesplaining? nt

[bravenak]

51. Yes.

They ban words. We visit our men in jail.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

54. should we start incarcerating white men at this same rate?

I know where I would like to start.

[bravenak]

58. We should stop incarcerating black men at such a tremendously high rate.

And we should stop making sarcastic remarks when black women complain about their men being disproportionately locked up. We struggle so fucking hard without them on far less pay than a man and less pay than white women. Families need two parents working just to make it. Care about our povert and the causes of our poverty, white feminists.
Pay discrepancy is not the only factor, far from it. Our men being in jail make us and our children poor. Many of them are in jail for trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents to bring it back to us to put food on the table. They sell drugs as a sacrifice when they get out of jail. They can't get jobs. We leave them. They have more children with more women. Then back to jail. If not for the initial poverty of these young men growing up without fathers, dropping out of school in 8th grade ( like my husband) to pay mamma's rent, and not being employable, we would not suffer such harsh fates.

When we complain we get a meal of sarcasm, and a blanket of crushed hope.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

60. of course you are right. do you think white feminist women have not been saying this all along?

white feminist women are not the ones doing this incarcerating.

[AverageJoe90]

65. This. Just this. nt

[bravenak]

67. I do not think they see it as a priority as we do.

Over 70 percent of black children are born to single women. If we are not showing up to marches it's because we are working a few jobs. I'm lucky. I teach myself any job skill I need and keep up with the latest in technology and use of all necessary computer programs and build my own websites. Most black women have no time for that. A good number are too busy making less pay than I'd ever consider accepting. I'd lose the twenty pounds and get back to the club first. F that. But they do it. Alone and poor.

We are having a civil rights crisis in the black community. It has never ended. Black men are targets of the system. We care about them. To many of us it is more important that our sons, fathers and husbands are here to help us. Of course we'd like equal pay. We have always fought for equal pay.

It doesn't matter that white feminists are not doing the incarcerating. They are still being locked up. Not being at fault does not make the problem any smaller. If there is to be unity, our problems have to be yours just as your problems are ours. That is how we get left out. Our problems are not yours. But we still need to solve them.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

70. yes, that is what I thought I said.

If there is to be unity, our problems have to be yours just as your problems are ours. That is how we get left out. Our problems are not yours. But we still need to solve them.

of course, at any given time one speaks out about one issue it is not denying that the other issues do not exist.

all these fires are burning, that we could stamp them ALL out with one fell swoop would be the ideal.

[bravenak]

71. I would love it if we could magic it all away.

Instead I think it will just take time.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

74. time. patience. we grow old. No one gets past time -

"Somewhere beyond right and wrong there is a garden. I will meet you there."

[bravenak]

77. That was nice.

Thank you.

[KitSileya]

88. Thank you for your posts in this thread.

You state so clearly what the problem is. We white feminists have no problem telling men to check their privilege, but when the shoe is on the other foot, too many of us get defensive and even belligerent.

I agree with you, I think Patricia Arquette betrayed a subconcious divide in the way she phrased her request. When that is pointed out, it's important that we listen, not jump immediately to the defense.

[bravenak]

90. It is a common problem.

We are made to choose between black and woman or gay when it is put like that.
I have a quote from the grio..

"And before you say “But, Blue, she said women not just white women,” let me be blunt: If you say black people need to stand up for you – that means you are asking every person in the room who is both black and a woman to choose her gender over her race in order to suit your agenda. It’s a very subtle form of feminist segregation that I’ve heard about for a few years now. And it’s complete b.s."

http://thegrio.com/2015/02/23/patricia-arquette-blacks-gays-white-women/

It was a good read.

[KitSileya]

109. It sure was a good read!

Thanks for linking that. The more engaged I get in the fight for feminism, the more I realize how privileged I am. That doesn't mean that I should stop fighting for equality where I am, but it means that I cannot expect that my solutions will work everywhere for everyone, and that when it comes to problems that aren't problems for me, my reaction must be to keep quiet and listen, first and foremost.

[bravenak]

110. I think we can all learn something from listening to each other.

Thanks for understanding my pov. I have no anger. I read alot about it today and thought that DU might want our perspective. I can only try my best.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

149. Thank you so much, too! :)

[Fumesucker]

83. Democrats have voted for those policies that incarcerate black men for decades

Staying just ~slightly~ less harsh than the Republicans on good days. If they didn't they would be called soft on crime and soft is bad when it comes to politics.

[bravenak]

84. You are so right. That is my problem with liberal drug warriors and such.

I will never vote for a drug warrior and plan on never shutting up about the flaws in our Democratic representation. I do not care who has a problem with it. Locked up is locked up. I actually think liberals have much less of an excuse to be that way since in many districts they count on our votes to bring the ballot home. It is time for us to demand our representatives stop making laws and manditory minimums that negatively affect our community, while taking our votes for granted.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

57. !

[Bonobo]

62. I understand your frustration with being labelled like that.

It is hurtful and annoying when you get called out for something like not listening enough and talking DOWN to people.

Your head tells you that it's just NOT true. But...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

66. yes, my 1/16th Black head and my 1/8th American Indian head tell me EXACTLY that.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

53. bravenak, I wish there was some way to reach out to your sister. ---

I know all about that schism. It is time to move past it.

that was Then. This is now - --

How do we heal and move forward?

How does she forgive?

How can she get past it? How long will she hold it against the movement.

How long to understand that humans are not perfect and language and action must coincide and if the language is not perfect but the action is then .... what.

[bravenak]

55. Listening is the only way.

Get the grievances in the open. Admit mistakes. Reform feminism to include all of us with no one racila group making most of the decisions on what feminism is. It's like high school. It will never be over until it gets talked about. We need a feminism festivus.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

56. so then, I should shut up?

[bravenak]

59. No.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

61. thank you.

[one_voice]

68. May I ask you a question....

Many here know my family make up is multi racial--extended family as well. I have black women in my family that consider themselves feminist but take issue with many white feminist. One of the reasons they seem to all agree on is; whenever a white women feel slighted or feel they've 'spotted' sexism or misogyny one of the first things they do is compare it to racial language or attitudes. They get seriously pissed about that. Maybe it could be generational? They're older like 50's or older Or geographical--mostly have a southern roots/history.

Do you ever find that to be the case? Or is this unique to my family?

[bravenak]

69. That is not unique to your family.

It is a problem that has been talked to death with no solution. Also the constant ridiculing of blacks we admire.

[one_voice]

73. Thanks for answering...

My feeling was it was more than just my family, but I don't like to assume things like that.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

146. Many black women do not consider themselves feminists; or, do not use that term

feminist. bell hooks coined the term "womanist". And Sojourner Truth famously penned "Ain't I A Woman?" in response to the schism between black men and black women but also the tension between black women and white women.

Let's stop pretending that we don't know the history of black women and white women, please.

Black women started the Women's Right Movement, which came on the heels of the victories won during the Civil Rights Movement. Black women, such as Angela Davis, realizing that issues affecting black women were often left off the CRM agenda.

But here's one major difference between white women and black women:

BLACK WOMEN ALWAYS WORKED OUTSIDE THE HOME!

(I had to put that in all caps because a lot of people don't know or realize this very important difference, and that difference has led to very significantly different experiences of black women and white women.)

The point is that white women co-opted the Women's Rights Movement, learning valuable lessons from the CRM. But because they had more visibility and power as white women--AND because their experiences were different from the majority of black women, they either unknowingly or deliberately ignored concerns of women of color. And this has been the case throughout our history in this country--from slavery until this very day.

Realizing this schism within the Women's Rights Movement, black female activists like Angela Davis and Alice Walker eventually left what they believed was a "white feminist" version of the Women's Right Movement and created one for women of color: Womanists or even black feminists. Some of the issues were similar with those of the larger movement. Most weren't. This is obviously because black women are often black first and treated as being black first, not women. Consider attempts to defeminize black women through famous images and media depictions, such as "Black Mammy" or "Aunt Jemima". Where black women's sexuality and femininity was shown, it was typically in exaggerated form as "The Jezebel" or sexed-crazed harlot.

I'm certainly not suggesting that there aren't opportunities for ALL women to come together over like issues. Many times we have. The problem has always been, however, that the dominant society either forgets or neglects to consider the differences within it. And many believe that Ms. Arquette was guilty of this the other night. Odd that she would demand that black people fight for women when it was black people, particularly black women who made the Women's Movement possible. It was precisely due to the Civil Rights Movement and the gains of black people (and the whites who joined) that the Women's Rights Movement and the LGBT Rights Movement was created and saw some successes. The fight doesn't end here. But to ask...no DEMAND that black people do more when they didn't create this system of oppression is utterly ridiculous. Black people aren't responsible for creating this power structure, nor do we have the power to stop it. Hell this same system of oppression is incarcerating or literally killing black men, especially. Just what are black people supposed to do? Ms. Arquette respectfully needs to take a seat.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

164. Uhm. Ok. I will shut up now. And, I will send Patricia

A message copied and pasted of your text on to Patricia. Thank you for schooling me. I have never heard any of that. This woman is going to sit back and watch the black women lead the way.

[TeeYiYi]

166. I had no idea...

re: "Black women started the Women's Right Movement..."
"…white women co-opted the Women's Rights Movement"

...It must be "teach me" Tuesday...

Whatever you do, don't mention Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

TYY

[still_one]

104. That is interesting because many Christian African Americans are not particularly enamored by gay

rights.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/15/black-pastors-gay-marriage-michigan_n_5332496.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/09/24/why-resistance-remains-among-black-democrats-for-gay-marriage/

There is no ambiguity with those views, unlike what Arquette said.

Let me put it simply, when she said ALL the women in American, she is talking about ALL women no matter who they are, as distinguished from all people, or all men.

This really isn't rocket science

[bravenak]

105. What the hell dors that have to do with me?

She said that blacks and gays need to work for 'women' now. She brought up race. Tell her.

[Takket]

75. For the record...

She said men too. And let's face it we are bickering amongst ourselves here over Arquettes choice of words but MEN are the problem. Specifically the republican ones who are blocking wage equality, they are blocking gay marriage, the are repealing the voters rights act, they are blocking path to citizenship for immigrants....

They are the enemy!

[TeeYiYi]

76. Yeah...

...she said any man who loves women should be fighting for women's equality.

I think that includes any 'person' who loves women should be on the side of equality for women and basic human rights for all.

TYY

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

150. We don't take issue with that aspect of her statement.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

124. Where did she say "all women"? I'll wait...

[F4lconF16]

80. I felt like once again, black woman is a subcategory."

I urge everyone here to read what you've said in this thread, because this is where us non-minorities need to sit back, shut up, and listen. Read what you've said here, and think about it. Really push ourselves and try to understand someone else and the history behind all of us. Because listening when someone like you explains something this clearly is not an opportunity that comes along every once in a while.

Hope you have a good night, Bravenak. Gonna head out and bike some, need to clear my head.

[bravenak]

82. You have a good night too. Have a good ride.

[Aerows]

95. I don't disagree with you

that black women get the short end of the stick, but white and latino women don't get it any better, either.



?download



As women, we get shafted on the whole.

Consider that many black men are in the lower percentage of pay range than white men, and the disparity becomes even more elaborate. Black women might make 89% of the salary a black man makes, but since they are both shitty, you can draw your own conclusions about how relevant it is.

[bravenak]

96. Black men also get shafted.

And them getting shafted makes us poorer than whites on the whole. Black women, men, both earn less than their white counterparts. And lets not even talk about transgender black females. Good grief! Fired for being themselves, most likely to get beaten up for being trans. I did not like the ways she said the things back stage. She should have left it with the stage speech. Saying it's time to work for us now, minimizes all the work we did, and feels gross.

[Aerows]

97. I added an addendum to my post

Sometimes I hit enter before I'm done. I agree with you.

"And lets not even talk about transgender black females. Good grief! Fired for being themselves, most likely to get beaten up for being trans."

The way transgender people are treated in this country is a travesty.

" I did not like the ways she said the things back stage. She should have left it with the stage speech"

I don't watch TV, so I only pick up the general conversation here on DU. I don't know who she is, what she said, or general who "she" is. LOL

[bravenak]

98. I should stop moving so fast.

I get so excited.

[Aerows]

99. So who is this she

that said something awful at the Oscars? I don't watch TV, so I'm pretty uninformed.

[bravenak]

100. It wasn't exactly awful.

On stage she was awesome. Back stage, not so much. Patricia Arquette.

[LittleBlue]

2. On twitter, it seems many African Americans and gays

felt like her tone was suggestive of two things.

The first problem with her statement was that she said "people of color" and "gay" as a separate group from "women", as if there are no gay or black women. Gay and/or black women feel like their lot in life is harder than straight white women.

Because of that, it sounded like she was saying those two separate groups owed something to straight white women. Like, we fought for you, now it's time for you to fight for us. I think from the standpoint of gays and blacks, they feel like they should have had those rights all along, and shouldn't have to feel indebted to white heterosexuals when they win those rights. She sort of implied that they hadn't been fighting for equal pay all along, and it was time to pay up.

[bravenak]

4. Exactly.nt

[TeeYiYi]

8. "Felt like" and "as if"...

...is assigning implied intent where it doesn't exist.

Her message was a suggestion that recent attention to human rights for gays and people of color, needs to include a focus on women's rights.

Black rights have been in the news. Gay rights have been in the news. She was asking that women's rights begin to receive the same attention.

TYY

[LittleBlue]

12. You have to understand what it feels like

to be a woman of color who struggles with both economic handicaps to be lectured about pulling their weight for equal rights.

Her first statement was good. People were only facepalming when she followed up back stage about those two groups returning a favor.

Unfortunately, that’s been happening. White women, by and large, have loudly applauded Arquette’s words—lumping together her acceptance speech and her backstage interview, quoted above—leaving primarily women of color and LGBTQ women of color scratching their heads wondering whether to divest themselves of their gender, their race, their sexual orientation, or their gender identity in order to be included in the “us” Arquette implored everyone to start fighting for.

And, frankly, that’s what concerns me a whole hell of a lot more than Arquette’s comments: The reaction from the left—liberals, progressives, whatever we’re calling ourselves these days—has been, by and large, an abomination.

Sadly, however, such disgraceful reactions to the structural erasure and silencing of women of color are typical.

http://rhrealitycheck.org/ablc/2015/02/23/patricia-arquette/

I also support equal pay, but I definitely won't be caught telling blacks and gays that they need to do better. They've had centuries of oppression and suffering on a scale unimaginable by hetero whites like me. The challenges that black people face can't just be erased with such a casual comment.

[TeeYiYi]

15. She was saying...

...that all oppressed groups need to stick together and work for the good of everyone.

Gays and people of color are 50% women.

TYY

[LittleBlue]

17. This was her quote

It's time for all the women in America, and all the men that love women and all the gay people and all the people of color that we've all fought for to fight for us now.

Gay people and POC that "WE" fought for. That "we" includes them too. They've been fighting for basic rights, including equal pay, since slavery ended in 1865.

Can you understand why they would be angry at that statement?

[TeeYiYi]

20. No...

...and who are "they." I am a gay woman and I felt included in Patricia Arquette's plea for equality for all women.

She's simply asking that women, as a subgroup, be considered in the fight for equality due to wage disparity. She is referring to ALL women, not a select few.

TYY

[LittleBlue]

23. Hmmm, well

All I can say is to try to see it from the perspective of an African American who might have felt excluded by it. I'm not here to lecture you on how you should interpret it as a gay woman. I don't think your position is unreasonable at all. I also don't think that those who took offense were unreasonable either.

[Egnever]

22. Pasty white guy here

And the second I read it I got why people are upset. I think it was poorly said but I think the sentiment was right.

Of course that assumes what she meant is all oppressed people should be helping reach equal rights for all.

What she comes off sounding like to me with the statement she made however is more along the lines of you "others" should be helping with my issues after all I helped you with yours. I don't at all think that was her intent however and it is a shame a good message is derailed because of her poor choice of wording.

I could be wrong though and she may just think the way she sounded.

[LittleBlue]

25. Exactly. I think you put your finger on it

with the term "others".

[TeeYiYi]

27. That's exactly right...

re: "...what she meant is all oppressed people should be helping reach equal rights for all."

She's asking for a renewed focus on women's rights; but not to the detriment of other oppressed groups.

An individual can belong to more than one of the oppressed groups at any given time. Belonging to one does not detract from the needs of another.

TYY

[Egnever]

31. I do think that is what she intended

But I also understand why her wording could make people upset.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

42. ^^^^ EXACTLY ^^^^^

[Tuesday Afternoon]

44. YES.

[Oktober]

81. That seems to be the new standard...

It's not about how or what was said...

It's about how anyone chooses to interpret it.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

152. The problem is that the person you're responding to is reading into her statement

he/she is doing precisely what you are charging: interpreting Ms. Arquette's statement, not considering what she explicitly stated.

[AverageJoe90]

92. This deserves a thousand recs. Sincerely. nt

[F4lconF16]

79. +1 nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

144. EXACTLY!! You get it! Why are people in this thread acting as if they don't?

Are they willfully ignorant?

[upaloopa]

3. Outrage porn?

[Takket]

5. I'm sorry but...

anyone who took her impassioned plea as only applying to white women was just in disagreement with her and wanted any excuse to tear down her statement.

[bravenak]

6. Wrong. You are wrong.

[Takket]

7. ....or too easily offended.

[bravenak]

16. Wrong again.

I don'r need to divest myself of my color to be included in Women. That is what her statement does. I guess you're going the 'black people are too easily offended' route? Or are the gays whonare offended to easily offended? I'd like to know, thx.

[Takket]

72. I'm saying you are perceiving a slight where none exists

And if you honestly believe Arquette was trying divest you of your color to be included in the group "women", then I suggest you read the tweets linked below. If you still question her heart on the matter after that we'll just have to agree to disagree. I have no other points to make.

[bravenak]

78. Ok.

[romanic]

101. Self-righteous and or thristy for attention

More like it from the looks of things. -_-

[bravenak]

102. You know so much about me.

I see you saying nasty things about me. Sad.

[romanic]

112. Spare me the melodrama.

.

[bravenak]

113. No

[romanic]

114. .

[IMG][/IMG]

[Takket]

9. Do we really need to draw a Venn diagram?

To show that the group "women" overlaps the groups "straight, lesbian, black and white?"

[TeeYiYi]

10. I know...

I am sincerely shaking my head in disbelief.

TYY

[1StrongBlackMan]

11. ave you taken even a moment's pause to consider ...

what LittleBlue and Bravenak have explained?

[Takket]

21. yes and...

injustice is a blight that requires contestant vigilance from everyone. Even if the fight only takes someone to the voting booth to support their Democratic candidate, we all owe it to one another to do that.

Women's rights, gay rights, civil rights, it is ALL still on the table... if Arquette did anything wrong is was sounding (CLEARLY UNINTENTIONALLY) like the fight for civil rights and gay are settled and it is time to focus on women's rights. They are not, but as a woman she is impassioned to support women's rights and took the chance before the world to call for action. Good for her.

[1StrongBlackMan]

33. What you are saying here is NOT what you replied above ...

Good on you.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

48. GOOd FOR HER> YES!!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

41. Yes, I have. I know women of color and LGBT who are Not FEMINISTS. Don't you?

or if you don't, I can introduce you to them. I know them personally. I work with them EVERY DAY.

[Depaysement]

29. She must be ostracized

She raised an issue of class in a feminist context. Oh, the horror.

[1StrongBlackMan]

35. WOW ...

Really?

[YoungDemCA]

37. He's all about that income inequality

That is, the inequality between the top 1%, and the next 10%...

[1StrongBlackMan]

116. I suspect you may be correct. n/t

[840high]

34. WTH?

[Bjorn Against]

38. I think she meant well

I do understand why people are uncomfortable with the way she worded it and I don't think they are wrong, I think she could have worded it a lot better.

At the same time however I don't think she went in there with the intention of insulting minorities or the GLBT community, I think her intentions were good. I would bet she is probably listening to the criticism and learning from it and that is a good thing, so I don't think there is anything wrong with making that criticism but I think we need to be clear that she is not the enemy. She is a person who made a real effort to do the right thing and she should be applauded for that even if she should have more carefully considered how her words might be interpreted by others.

[AverageJoe90]

64. And, to her substantial credit, she even clarified things on Twitter.....

For those people who may have had some legitimate concerns:

https://twitter.com/PattyArquette/status/569931943229267968
https://twitter.com/PattyArquette/status/569932882291982336
https://twitter.com/PattyArquette/status/569934217250873344
https://twitter.com/PattyArquette/status/569936012299759617
https://twitter.com/PattyArquette/status/569940008708276224

[Jamastiene]

89. I know she wasn't being homophobic.

She is very pro gay rights. I am pretty sure she did not mean to offend people of color either. She just meant we should all stick together and not let ourselves be fragmented. That's how the other side wins. They divide us and conquer. She didn't mean it how people are taking it, I don't think.

[DeSwiss]

91. The best way not to offend for what you say -- is to keep your mouth closed.

- Of course then they'll claim that you don't care. Which is why I say screw 'em all. Never be sorry for what you say -- or don't say. Only the ''politically-correct'' ALWAYS say the right thing.

And that's too high a price to pay for perceived perfection......

K&R

''Groups are grammatical fictions; only individuals exist, and each individual is different.''

~Robert Anton Wilson

[AverageJoe90]

93. It's a reason why I've become so critical of SJWesque loopiness as of late.

And I'm not alone, either.

[Major Hogwash]

94. Evidently.

It is really weird to see all of the sharp knives come out just a day after Arquette called for equality for women.

[still_one]

107. When she said ALL WOMEN, that is exactly what she meant. This was about women, and that people are

trying to read more into this than what it is, tells me that they must be really bored.

[still_one]

103. Well she did leave out Jewish, Muslim, and Native American women also. In all seriousness it is

obvious that she was talking about all women's rights, and equal pay for equal work.

This country couldn't even pass an equal rights amendment, which says volumes.

[BainsBane]

106. She said "every woman."

I really don't understand the controversy.

[still_one]

108. Exactly, and her context was inclusive for all women. It is so obvious what she meant it is

ridiculous this controversy. They couldn't even pass an ERA amendment in this country, and that happened under Reagan. Today, things have gotten even worse. Look at the statements coming from the republicans regarding women. For that matter all the progress made in civil rights in the 60's and 70's is slowly being undone also.

It is quite amazing how much the country has gone to the right

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

154. The controversy? "people of color and gays need to fight for us like we fought for them"...

That is DIVISIVE! That is why people are upset. The first part of her statement, fine! We have no issue with that. The second half of her statement, sucks big time! She knows it. That's why she took to Twitter after the backlash she got.

[BainsBane]

156. I didn't see that part

I just saw what she said during the Oscars. I'll have to look for it.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

159. Here it is...

Read her statement carefully:

"And it’s time for all the women in America and all the men that love women, and all the gay people, and all the people of color that we’ve all fought for to fight for us now"

Now, let's consider:

"It’s time for all the women in America and all the men that love women"

Fine. I agree that all women and men who love women should fight for their rights. No problem here. People keep pointing out this aspect of her statement. That's not where the controversy is.

HERE'S WHERE THE CONTROVERSY IS:

-------

"And all the gay people, and all the people of color that we’ve all fought for to fight for us now"

Now, HERE, is where people of color--that often includes black women--are upset: First, she makes these statements as if "all the gay people" and "all the people of color" have won their victories against discrimination and bigotry--then, attributes those victories to women fighting for them. Insane!

When she demands that people of color fight for women--again "people of color" often includes black women. Black women are more often than not viewed as black first, not women! And that's the problem.

She should not have demanded anything about what black people need to do, in particular. It just didn't sound right. She came off as a condescending, privileged white woman. I'm sorry, but especially seeing everything we've been through, particularly in recent years with all the racism that has resurfaced, I think she really should have just shut the fuck up. Really, I would have respect for her if she had just specified "white women". Bottom line: Her added statement about how women have fought for blacks and LGBT so now "you owe us"...it was so unnecessary. Her speech would have been much more poignant, much more effective had she left that part out.

[BainsBane]

161. I see your point

While white women were indeed active in some social and racial justice movements (like anti-slavery), the implication that people of color have all their rights now is problematic, to say the least. She should have left out that entire part and simply said it's time for all Americans to come together to fight for equal pay for women, since in the long run it benefits all of us.

[TeeYiYi]

165. She asked...

...that ALL activists (to include gay activists and black activists) add the fight for women's rights to their activism dockets. (You don't have to be gay or black to be involved in the fight for equality and basic human rights.)

If someone hearing Patricia Arquette's comment is already fighting for women's equality then her backstage comment doesn't apply to them. Her request for solidarity only applies to those people who are not already on board with equality for women, and activists with a narrow purview of which causes are important enough to fight for.

Black women are already included in Patricia Arquette's "us" and "we" category of "all women" by virtue of their gender. Unless there are black women who've been actively campaigning against equality for women, the call for solidarity by Patricia Arquette does not apply to them, since they are already "us." "That we've all fought for"… "that we've" includes black feminists. "…to fight for us now"… "us" includes ALL women of every stripe and hue.

Her initial call for equal wages for women, while onstage, sets the parameters for deciphering additional comments on the same topic backstage. If she hadn't already established intent with her first comment, then her backstage comment might be open to interpretation…but she did, and it isn't.

Without the first comment, I can see how the second comment might be misconstrued, but we DO have the first comment which sets the rules by which the second comment is to be judged. Anyone not understanding the thrust of the backstage comment need look no further than the onstage comment to correctly decipher and parse intent.

She didn't demand anything. She merely requested solidarity from those who are already inclined toward activism. She requested support in the fight for women's rights. She didn't qualify that statement by saying "white women's rights," she said, "all women's rights" regardless of straight, gay, black or white. Her fight is for wage equality for ALL women, period.

She's asking that ALL people join in the fight for women's equality. If you're already on board, then her words were not directed at you. But, if you are female, her goal for women's equality is meant to benefit YOU, regardless of color or sexual propensity.

She didn't imply that other oppressed groups have "won their victories." She didn't say "you owe us." That's you projecting.

She's fighting for equality for ALL women, including you, while you're doing nothing but tear her down for her efforts.

You might be the one that needs to take a step back and reevaluate.

TYY

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

169. So, all the people who are angry at Arquette for her statements...not just me...

We're all deranged and paranoid, and we all "need to take a step back and reevaluate"? You're really going to dismiss how the rest of us feel and just tell us to "fuck off," we're misreading what Arquette said. Even though there have been countless articles, Tweets, and negative reactions that have been INSTANT after she made the comment...we're all just delusional, right?

WRONG!!!

I think you're the problem. You and those who dismiss the experiences of others who do not look like you. You are quick to point the finger at me because you think I don't get it. Instead of trying to understand, you ridicule, you offend, and you condescend. You simply don't get it because you don't want to get it.

It's o.k., though. I think it's very sad.

I will never support what Ms. Arquette has suggested.

I am proud to be a black woman. I will fight for MY people only!! And that is why black women have never trusted white feminists...it is because they have never respected black women, especially. They have always done what you have done to me, and that is dismiss and discount our experiences. (But when men do this to you, you raise hell about it and scream SEXISM and misogyny!)

Maybe you will think more about what you have stated to me because this was very condescending. Your attitude, just like Arquette's, with your sense of superiority, is quite despicable. It's offensive! Ms. Arquette? She can go straight to hell with her demands.

[malaise]

111. Don't get it either

I thought her comments were great

[Spider Jerusalem]

115. Why? the answer is "intersectionality"

"women" includes "black women" and "gay women" (and "transgender women&quot ; part of the problem of mainstream feminism (especially mainstream feminism of the Sheryl Sandberg "Lean In" variety) is that it's perceived by a lot of non-mainstream feminists as being narrowly focused on the socioeconomic and political interests of white, middle-class, university-educated, heterosexual, cisgender professional women. Comments like Arquette's really don't help that perception.

[historylovr]

117. Exactly.

Unfortunately her backstage comments will continue to be dissected, parsed, twisted, and used to denounce her message, as if none of us has ever made a slightly muddled statement before while in 'the moment.'

[jeff47]

118. Gotta divide if you want to conquer. (nt)

[Waiting For Everyman]

119. I was thinking wtf too until it occurred to me...

Patricia Arquette did an admirable thing. And a white woman doing an admirable thing doesn't fit the whites-are-evil-oppressors narrative that some are so fond of riding 24/7/365. They seem unable to take a break from it, even momentarily.

It's a real shame that some of those she used her own once-in-a-lifetime moment of maximum fame to take a stand for, don't have enough grace of spirit to even thank her or be glad that she did it.

She isn't the one who screwed up at all, they are.

[TeeYiYi]

120. Agreed...

She unselfishly used her Oscar moment to shine a light on wage disparity.

re: "It's a real shame that some of those she used her own once-in-a-lifetime moment of maximum fame to take a stand for, don't have enough grace of spirit to even thank her or be glad that she did it."

It's true that no good deed goes unpunished, apparently.

TYY

[romanic]

160. There seems to be more to it than that.

Its not just the "white woman saying something admirable" thing that puts a sore spot in those who nitpick; it's her words that weren't "inclusive" enough or "ignored intersectional oppression" or something. Her semantics are "problematic" and not good enough for the eternally offended.

I'm sure most gay/poc took her statement as admirable but its those on the fringe (aka "black Twitter" - laughable considering that's a small segment of black Twitter users who do not speak for black people on Twitter) that just want to twist Patricia's words to feed their outrage.

And before anyone jumps down my throat, yeah i can acknowledge feminism has a flipflop relationship with woc and gay men as well (not even going to go into radfem's views on gay men - thats a whole new topic) but that's not Patricia's fault or position to fix that.

[treestar]

121. Yeah, I don't get it

What should she have said?

I don't see how it can be controversial to say women should get equal pay.

[TeeYiYi]

125. She probably should've said...

"Wage.Disparity, Hands.Up.Don't.Shoot, I.Can't.Breathe, Prison.Reform, Yay.Gay.Marriage."

Oh well, there's always next year's Oscars...

TYY

[dilby]

122. Well if you attack the messenger you never have to hear the message.

This is what corporate America wants, why worry about having to actually pay women equal wages when you can get people to fight over how the message was delivered and can nitpick the smallest shit and twist what she said.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

123. She didn't have to! It was understood by us. So let me turn your statement around...

When she demands that blacks and the LGBT now must fight for women's rights, did she only mean "black men" and "black/white/other non-white" LGBT men?

Or, are you her spokesperson and just taking a guess?

And further, to suggest that blacks and LGBT community must NOW fight for women's rights suggests that blacks and the LGBT community are no longer treated badly, no longer discriminated again, and no longer face wrongs.

Ms. Arquette needs to have a seat! She doesn't know what the fuck she's talking about!

[Demit]

127. I don't get your leap of logic at all.

You ascribe a meaning to Arquette's words that I don't see there, that asking for support for women getting equal pay is the same as saying blacks and LGBTs are no longer treated badly. It's a weird interpretation.

And your last two sentences are so angry I don't know where that's coming from either. You don't like acknowledging that women are paid less than men? Arquette needs to take a seat because women's pay isn't as important to work towards as other things are?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

136. Nope. That's your lack of understanding of what I wrote. And you calling me angry...

...If that is the case that I'm angry, do I not have the right to be?

I am a black woman. If I am angry, I have a fucking legitimate reason to be!

This privileged woman is demanding that black people--already demoralized, already deeply damaged and oppressed--fight for her! WHY!?!?!? She speaks as if we are no longer suffering, or, at the very least reduces our own suffering. So, we need to stop fighting our own oppression and subjugation to do what?

Again, where in her quote does she *specifically* state anything about the plight of women of color?

Where does she *specifically* state ALL WOMEN.

Please provide the exact quote.

[Demit]

142. Show me where I called you angry.

I bet you're going to say that the words "your last two sentences were angry" is the same thing. Apparently your interpretation of something = the fact of it.

Women make less than men for the same work, that's a fact. If you think that you have to "stop fighting your own oppression" to fight for equal pay for women, then either you don't identify as a woman, or you are quite content with being paid less than men based on the fact that you are a woman.

Lastly, if you are a woman, you are automatically included in the collective noun "women." If you feel excluded, it might be because you are deliberately excluding yourself, and not identifying with members of your own sex.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

143. You don't get to tell me what to do. I am a black woman. Black women, on average,

earn 59 cents for every $1 a white male earns.

A Latina earns about 55 cents for every $1 a white male earns. Fucking ridiculous!

A white woman earns around 77 cents for every $1 a white male earns. Still unacceptable!!

These are facts.

I AM angry and rightfully so.

My posts ARE angry and justifiably so.

Bottom line: Ms. Arquette's statements were idiotic and ridiculous and I have every right to point this out. Her demand that black people and LGBT--marginalized people who may be doubly and triply abused if they fall into multiple categories--fight for HER rights is outrageous. If I were the only one upset by her remarks, I could see your issue. But I'm not the only one who is disturbed by this privileged woman's remarks.

Finally, white people don't get to demand that people of color do what they say; fight for what they think we ought to be fighting for; shut up when they tell us to, or speak only when asked; request permission to be angry according to their comfort level, or anything else they DEMAND that we do. See, that is the problem. It is the problem with Ms. Arquette who, like yourself, DEMANDS that those who belong to marginalized groups to do something or act in a particular way. Slavery has ended. You don't get to tell me what I should and should not do.

[Demit]

147. But I didn't tell you what to do.

And we ALL fall into multiple categories. Every single one of us.

I don't know who is demanding that people of color shut up, or speak when asked, or request permission to be angry—but it wasn't me and I don't think it was Patricia Arquette. If working for equal pay for women is something that you, as a woman, don't want to do, well, don't do it. Maybe it'll get done anyway, without your cooperation, and you'll be a beneficiary anyway. But make no mistake, we ALL fall into multiple categories, every one of us. It's when we recognize what we have in common, and then act in concert, that change happens. One of the things women have in common is that we are women, in a man's world. It would benefit us to acknowledge it.

[dilby]

130. Yes she meant Black Men and Gay Men.

She stated that women have fought for minority and gay rights and it's time that those communities to stand up and help women. She was specifically calling out the men in those communities since she already said ALL WOMEN.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

134. Can you point out specifically where she said "ALL WOMEN" because I do not recall her

saying ALL WOMEN. Please find that quote.

As for black men, she needs to educated herself!

Black men are perhaps some of the most persecuted, marginalized, and feared on the planet. When it comes to black women in particular, I agree that black men have a responsibility because we have held them down for so long. So yes, I would argue that black women have fought their battles and stood on the front lines, often risking their very lives for their men. Black women are some of the most politically active, in fact, the progenitors of the modern Civil Rights Movement. Before that, it was Harriet Tubman that led many slaves to freedom. And it was Sojourner Truth who fought for BOTH women's rights and for the abolition of slavery. She was, for all intents and purposes, one of the earliest leaders of the Women's Rights Movement.

[dilby]

137. Right here:

"And it’s time for all the women in America and all the men that love women, and all the gay people, and all the people of color that we’ve all fought for to fight for us now"

http://www.mediaite.com/online/patricia-arquette-loses-feminist-goodwill-with-comments-backstage-at-oscars/

And basically your excuse is you will not stand up for women rights until Black Men are equal to whatever standard you have. Fuck all the women of the world, no matter their color, sexual orientation or whatever it does not matter to you because you still think you first, everyone else can be helped after you are happy with where you are.

Here is a little secret, you can be for women's rights at the same time you are for black rights, LGBT rights and all those who are still feeling the yoke of oppression, it's not a one or nothing fight. Do you think Patricia is no longer going to stand up for Gay rights or Black rights because she is hoping to add women to the long list of those who are not treated equal in this country?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

141. Look, don't play me for stupid! That's not what I am referring to and you know it.

Read her statement again, carefully:

"And it’s time for all the women in America and all the men that love women, and all the gay people, and all the people of color that we’ve all fought for to fight for us now"

Now, let's break her statement down into two phrases:

1. "it’s time for all the women in America and all the men that love women"

Fine. I agree that all women and men who love women should fight for their rights. No problem here.

-------

2. "And all the gay people, and all the people of color that we’ve all fought for to fight for us now"

It's safe to assume that "all the gay people" includes LGBT of color (male and female)
It's also safe to assume that "all the people of color" includes ALL men and women who are non-white

"We've fought for" - who is "we"? Let's assume it's women. Oftentimes women of color are not assumed here. Only WHITE women are assumed here. And nothing in her statement clarifies that women of color are part of that equation.

Now, HERE, is where people of color--that often includes black women--are upset: First, she makes these statements as if "all the gay people" and "all the people of color" have won their victories against discrimination and bigotry--then, attributes those victories to women fighting for them. BULLSHIT!

When she demands that people of color fight for women--again "people of color" often includes black women. Black women are more often than not viewed as BLACK FIRST, not women! And that's the problem.

She should not have demanded anything about what black people need to do, in particular. It just didn't sound right. She came off as a condescending, privileged white woman. I'm sorry, but especially seeing everything we've been through, particularly in recent years with all the racism that has resurfaced, I think she really should have just shut the fuck up. Really, I would have respect for her if she had just specified "white women". Bottom line: Her added statement about how women have fought for blacks and LGBT so now "you owe us"...it was so unnecessary. Her speech would have been much more poignant, much more effective had she left that part out.

[fredamae]

128. I find the debate over

How she said "it" kinda sad, really.
I liked what she said....I understood the message and do not believe that she -with Any intent-tried to exclude Anyone.

[whathehell]

129. Thank you. I made the exact same point on another post.

I know what you mean by being "sincerely at a loss" -- Me too.

The only thing I can think of is an attempt to "divide and conquer"?

[Lex]

131. Another liberal circular firing squad. Squabbling over who is more entitled

to rally behind. Helps the Republicans tremendously.

[Mr Dixon]

133. WOW

Good OP, However i think we're fighting among each other rather then directing the focus of the common enemy.

[Inkfreak]

140. Because no good point can go unshitted on, on teh internets.

[Takket]

145. Arquette fires back

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/oscars-2015-patricia-arquette-responds-critics-speech-wage/story?id=29190490

[WorseBeforeBetter]

148. Good for her. And her critics need to LISTEN...

and stop hearing what they want to hear.

"I don't care if people are pissed. The truth is that wage inequality adversely effects women," she wrote. "If you are fighting against #Equalpay you are fighting for ALL women and especially women of color to make less money than men."

She added, "Wage equality will help ALL women of all races in America. It will also help their children and society."

As for people who questioned whether she herself makes less money since she is an actress, she wrote, "My children are not living below the poverty line. That doesn't mean I don't care about the kids who are. DO YOU? Then help their moms."

Today, she added, "Don't talk to me about privilege. As a kid I lived well below the poverty line. No matter where I am I won't forget women's struggle

....

Then, she added, "The working poor women of this country have been asking for help for decades. If I have "privilege" or a voice I will shine a light on them."

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

157. All that she states/writes here is FINE! No one takes issue with what she's writing here.

What people are pissed about is her demands that black people act because "we fought for you". Bullshit! There would be NO women's movement had it not been for the victories of the civil rights movement. Don't tell us what to do! Period! That's the problem. She has no right!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

162. She's not telling you or any other black woman what to do...

and you really seem whipped into a frenzy hearing what you want to hear. Don't forget the WHITES -- men and women -- who also fought for civil rights. Including my lily-white stepfather who marched on Washington. And the lily-white Freedom Riders and volunteers with Freedom Summer and Freedom Schools. And lily-white LBJ.

Arquette's message was that historically oppressed groups -- women, gays, POC -- need to band together. It was the collective "you" and collective "we."

Jesus, this thread makes me long for a good Moral Mondays march.

https://www.google.com/search?q=moral+mondays+nc&biw=1438&bih=708&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=SvXsVPe1C4i6ggTj0oH4CA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=0.95#tbm=isch&q=moral+mondays+raleigh+nc&imgdii=_

Black, white, gay, straight, religious, secular, blue collar, white collar, no collar... unity, not division.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

155. Note: AFTER the backlash she got. She acting like a victim doesn't work on me.

She made these statement in RESPONSE to that shitty initial statement she made.

[SMC22307]

158. She doesn't care if people are pissed; that's hardly acting like a victim.

According to that link above, she grew up "well below" the poverty line. Perhaps she knows what she's talking about...

[Dawson Leery]

151. The right wing echo propaganda machine is effective at changing things.

And many fools around here buy it.

[BeyondGeography]

153. This whole thing would be funny if it wasn't so fucktastically sad

[WorseBeforeBetter]

163. K&R for "fucktastically sad."

[Doctor_J]

167. Never mind. The Church Of Perpetual Outrage is too busy huffing and puffing to hear any sense

[marym625]

168. This is a problem that is

Last edited Wed Feb 25, 2015, 01:44 AM - Edit history (2)

With all groups fighting for equal rights.

I don't believe that Patricia Arquette meant to exclude any woman from her statement. I am a bisexual woman and didn't feel in the least that I was excluded because of my sexuality.

We have all been fighting for all of us for years. Different movements have momentum at different times.

We need to stop marginalizing each other. We need to stop trying to find reason to blame each other for this or that and work together to stop oppression of all people.

I understand what PA meant. I don't believe there was any malice whatsoever in her words or thoughts. She has fought for equality for years. Equality for all. She meant only that all the groups for which she and others have fought for and with need to join the cause for women's rights. All women.

On edit: I was too tired to write that. Hope my point came through.