MeerderWörter’s Comments (group member since Jan 08, 2016)

MeerderWörter’s comments from the Our Shared Shelf group.

Stefania wrote: "I don't want to look like the Hermione Granger of the situation, guys, but I'm afraid MeerderWörter is right in his definitions. Hermaphroditism is an old term more used referring to animal species..."

Stefania, thums up! Hermaphroditism was used until recently (2006), but activist groups consider it offensive (me either) and that was changed to intersexuality. Still not a term I'm really comfortable with, but WAY better than hermaphroditism. Some intersex activists reclaim that word by defining themselves as herm*s, but never just assume when in front of an intersex person.
Apart from that, why does everybody know that snails are inter*, but not humans. (You should see their reactions, sometimes I don't know whether to laugh or cry)

When you're a progressive med student who won't do surgery on little, innocent, uncapable of giving fully informed consent, children, then yes, I see you as very credible.

Winston wrote: "Hey all interesting discussion.

I want to share my view of motherhood/housewife as a social construct idea and also on the importance of fatherhood.

So while modern society definitely has this pr..."

Winston, you have brought up very important things to remember. Reminds me of My Life on the Road: What Once Was Can Be Again, tbh, because as you said, there were better conditions for women already, especially when we look at Native Americans (Oh, how I hate it when I hear people say "Indians." They DON'T live in India!)

Marina wrote: "I think society still glorifies those who manage to combine motherhood and career. While that's admirable, this shouldn't be the default expectation in the current situation, although of course it ..."

You have a point here. You see, I'm studying, I really like it, but feel at the maximum of my hours I can dedicate to it, so when I hear from fellow students who study and work at the same time, I'm really impressed. I think the same could be applied to women (or men) who both do mother-, fatherhood and have a career. They sure like (maybe love) both, but it's really a lot of work to do then.

Folks, do I really need to educate on that? Sorry for this question, but at least concerning humans, you're both wrong.

And when we're into the I - there's the rumor that Queen Elizabeht I had AIS - androgen insensitivity syndrome.

If only one could get a bit of her DNA - I want that checked:)

Alicia wrote: "I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would.

I love that Maya Angelou revealed a lot about her life without the details being overly dramatic; she kept the focus on her relationship with ..."

Alicia, so am I! The anticipation for the new book is rising more and more, I really like that part of all of us here.

And WELCOME! "Welcome to the island of misfit toys!"

Danna wrote: "I enjoyed the book and writing a lot but really WOW! what a life she has lead! What experiences she has had. Thank God she is a writer!"

Sadly, we have to write "was". She's gone from this world, what a pity. Although she is no longer among us, we still have her books to read. I'm glad about that!

Jonathon wrote: "One of the big points here is the difference between compromise and change here. What is actually changing in a compromise, and who is regulating it are very important features of this discussion t..."

Good question, Jonathon!
Compromise and change are very different indeed.

Monical wrote: "MeerderWörter wrote: "Serian wrote: "If people are looking for more books with LGBT themes, I strongly recommend Jen Campbell's video on this topic! She does a great job of talking about representa..."

Now, Monical. I'm sure you didn't want to upset me, but actually I am. Let me explain a few things.
I do know what an intersex person is. Now, hermaphrodite is the old expression for intersex person, and is outdated. Furthermore, it implies that "hermaphrodites" have two sets of the sex organs, so clitoris and penis, labia and scrotal sack, when in fact that is not possible. It's a mix, not both at once.

You refer to the old classification of true and pseudohermaphrodites, classified by the presence or lack of testicles or ovaries. If one has ovotesticular tissue (mix of both), then that was a true hermaphrodite.
Don't use that description anymore, please. It's outdated and offensive, because it implies that there is something that actually isn't there.


Now, about trans folk: They should have whichever treatment they want for their body, as long as it is fully-informed consent. Intersex individuals fight for the same, so that would be strange if they said otherwise. Oh, and when we're at it, they should stop instrumentalizing intersex folks for their needs. That's hurting.

Now, according to different classifications, intersexuality is as common as naturally-born redheads - 0,05 to 1,7 per cent. I believe, as well as intersex activists, that quite a few transpeople have in fact intersex traits, but it is not detected since intersexuality affects gonads ( the tissue that evolves into ovaries or testes in the majority of people), genetics (both genes and "sex chromosomes"), hormones (both estrogens and androgens, "female" and "male" hormones) and secondary sex characteristics. Now, I don't have a problem with that, but I say that, if they were tested for intersexuality at all costs first, they would, with a high percentage, be classified intersex.

Remember, intersexuality is not offensive (unless you count some people who still believe there's only man and woman, male and female, and reject everything linked to the LGBTIQA+ movement), but the term "hermaphrodite" is, for reasons I have stated above.

I check out Boylan now, let's see what she has to say.

Laure wrote: "Jessica, you're right, Everyday Feminism has some articles that sound sometimes condescending, I also don't appreciate that - it makes the platform look as if they think they have the only right po..."

I really like to follow Feminism Matters on Twitter, they're an intersectional group of people who run the account and while I disagree with some of their points of view (which I don't have a problem with), they're not like: THIS IS THE SOLUTION! TAKE IT OR WE HATE YOU!

Oh, and sorry for not reading all of the posts in here, it's too much for now, I will read them the coming days.

Timothy, a feminist should never reject you! You're one of us, working towards a more equal world, a better world, a more inclusive world (And I'm totally into changing this world not only for women, but also for men for the better. A bird can't fly when one of its wings is broken, can they?)
And, as a reminder, in her speech launching the HeforShe campaign, Emma told us: "We are struggling for a uniting word, but we have a uniting movement. And it is called HeforShe!" I was really impressed by that!

I must second Ross here. You explained it very well in your second post, and I totally go with that. A crime is a crime, and society would never ask where they had their wallet, in contrary to the assault/harassment of women.

Why do we even discuss this? It's all so wrecked and we aren't 10-year-olds who need to be told exactly this (or sooner, the sooner the better!)


I was once in a deescalation training ( I did a voluntary social year) and it made me sick that the trainer said that sometimes the victims are at fault. Well, uh, of course a victim could lure their offender, but who on earth would voluntarily do that?
Saying that victims are the ones to blame for is so shortsighted, is so offensive to aforementioned and is really making me sick.
We have to move on as a society, not move backwards!

Shannon wrote: "I just finished reading today. I loved Maya's quote, "My mother's gifts of courage to me were both large and small. The latter are woven so subtly into the fabric of my psyche that I can hardly dis..."

Shannon, it happens to be one of my favourite quotes too!

Meelie wrote: "Royal Air Force, not Army ;)
Yep, almost served 5 years (March 2004 - Feb 2009)"

Sorry for asking, but there's a difference? One more thing learned in life:)

Meelie wrote: "Hey Finn, good luck with the Combat Medic role! When do you plan on signing up? I used to be a Medic in the Royal Air Force (just heard a few minutes ago that our old Basic Training at Halton is cl..."

Woah, Meelie! Hear, hear! You in the army?! Wouldn't have guessed that in a million years. Definitely feminist, tho:=)

Serian wrote: "If people are looking for more books with LGBT themes, I strongly recommend Jen Campbell's video on this topic! She does a great job of talking about representation and why it matters, and her sugg..."
Wow, thanks for adding this video, Serian, I'm gonna watch that now!
I've seen she talks about George? Gotta watch it, I want to read that book myself. The Color Purple is actually the book we read back in February, I really liked that one.

Monical wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I read a book called 'if I was your Girl' I would recommend this book to everyone Although it's a work of fiction it tackles lots of issues .its written from a Trans women's point of..."
Thanks for your input here:) A hint that they're an intersexual person? Wow, that pushes it into a totally different direction. Oh, and when we're at it, say intersexual, hermaphrodite is considered offensive by activists. Tranny is also considered to be an offensive word.

I totally agree with you, simply putting on a dress does not make you a woman (I don't know, crossdressers probably scold me now, but I haven't really looked into that topic yet - another issue on my to-do-list!)
Oh, will we ever get to get along between transidents and intersexuals? Both want the same, but tend to instrumentalize the other party for their own demands. Sad, really, really sad.

Kate wrote: "I dont get along particularly well with my mother. She expects a lot of me and has some unresolved issues with the fact that I am a lesbian. But I would do anything for her, she is family and has s..."

Homophobia is still a huge problem, it's very sad to hear that from you:(

How has OSS helped me find a place or identity when it comes to gender equality?

Well, to begin with, I now know I'm a feminist. I believe in the social, economic and political equality of the sexes, which is the dictionary definition of a feminist!
I'm writing this at three in the morning, so don't mind any grammar or spelling mistakes.
This group only fueled my admiration for our wonderful galleon figure, Emma, who fights right in the front. I really admire her for not acting in 2016 to concentrate on feminism and immerse herself within that lifestyle. That's COMMITMENT!
I have learned a lot about other countries, also languages ("to be silent like a grave" is not an English expression, who knew?)
Emma said in this lovely video, that she found her tribe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG5IL...
I'm quite sure I found mine too.

I wasn't really identifying as a feminist before OSS, and didn't tell the people I knew about me identifying as a feminist.
It also affected me because I, in retrospect, would like to dedicate my voluntary social year to HeforShe, because males have to choose between army and civilian service, and females don't have to do either one, in Austria. Which is unfair, and unfeministic in my opinion.

It also gives me a feeling of belonging, because I didn't have that feeling before, not in this way.
Every book has taught me something, either to become aware of issues, or how to work towards a goal (or not work towards a goal), to use in debate, and to help others out when I ship my copies to them.

I feel so connected to you, if there is one People I identify with, it's not the Austrian People, (although I always help my fellow Austrians when I can - otherwise I think I wouldn't be allowed to say I'm a feminist) but it's you: the feminist movement, who we have shining stars to look up to (from Gloria Steinem to Emma Watson to all the other people who wanted and want, tried and try to improve the life conditions of all people around the world), and we have a uniting belief system, and we know that we need each other, we can't improve matters alone, not as effective as in a group.

For me, feminism is about simply that: if you want to improve the conditions for humans, then you're a feminist. For me, this also includes mental health, LGBTQIA+ topics and able-topics, among others.

I've been here since the beginning, and have cheered on 10.000 members, and have cheered on 100.000 members and did so on 150.000 members (we could inhabit Salzburg, isn't that amazing, a whole CITY!), I have cheered at Emma announcing the new books and am eager for January/February already.


(Wow, I didn't intend to write a whole article on that)

Lindsey wrote: "What an extraordinary story about Maya and Lady B. The heartbreak and recovery of their relationship has me admiring their strength, wisdom and integrity. I have only read some of her poetry in the..."
Lindsey, I really admire these two women for what they achieved. I doubt I could have achieved it! Definitely a very good book!

Amy wrote: "I have just joined the group and I am looking forward to reading this book!"

You have just joined? WELCOME ABOARD THEN, FELLOW CITIZEN! :)
Be sure to participate (or simply read along) in the topics, it's wonderful and so mind-changing!

Gerd wrote: "I had to google what genderqueer means - and according to what I read it seems that it isn't actually used as a statement of sexuality, but rather as a statement of how one perceives sexuality.

At..."
You do have a good point here Gerd. Coming out isn't an act, it's a process consisting of acts. And, anonymity is really appreciated among LGBTI folks, since heteronormativity and homo-, trans, and bi-, as well as interphobia are still live and well in our society.



Emma wrote: "Does anyone have experience in attending fandom-related-conventions? (I've always wanted to go to one, but travel costs usually get in the way) Do you think women and LGBT people are more likely to participate in fandom-conventions because of the reasons Katelyn mentions?"
I know that many LGBT folks meet at Anime and Manga conventions, and there's a special atmosphere of openness and understanding at them.



Katelyn wrote: "Hey all, let's keep this more on topic, for example the direction that Robert and Ross are going in, talking about fandom in general, is more what I had in mind, rather than talking about interest ..."
Katelyn, that's why I love fanfiction so much. Okay, I only read HP Hermione fanfiction, and I must say there's still a lack of intersex persons in fanfiction, but still. In fanfiction, you can make up whatever you want, you can write your own story, adapt it, like the screenplay that is based on a book.
Now, I must say I really like the HP fandom because one can literally compare anything to it, it's something similar to our way of expression. People from all over the world will understand what I want to say when I say my chemistry teacher was like Snape. It's a home, a language, a community where you belong.

I think that's one huge part of fandom - you find people all over the world who can relate to you, and you can express feelings and explain topics using your fandom (depending on how intersectional they are), and especially for those who feel lost, unwelcome, uneasy around their family and people from the street, they are able to find a new family.

Ross wrote: "It may sound strange but Emma's being a normal person is the thing I admire...

I think we would make good friends as I am sure all of us on the shelf would."

I can definitely second you on that!
Guess what, we would fill the Trafalgar Square if we met! Or even a bigger space!

Henriette, the link doesn't seem to work:(

Would you translate that? Danish and German are too different to go without proper translation I think.