Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tektronix.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!tektronix!moiram From: moiram@tektronix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.women Subject: Re: crossing streets Message-ID: <4564@tektronix.UUCP> Date: Tue, 18-Dec-84 11:51:36 EST Article-I.D.: tektroni.4564 Posted: Tue Dec 18 11:51:36 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 20-Dec-84 23:30:37 EST Reply-To: moiram@tektronix.UUCP (Moira Mallison ) Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 33 >>jdh@hou5g.UUCP (Julia Harper): >>But I am suggesting something that you, a man, can do to make the world a >>nicer place for a woman -- even a woman you don't know. This suggestion >>was made in good faith. I don't think it's difficult, I do think it is >>a gift that men can give women. > jon@boulder.UUCP (Jon Corbet): >My upbringing in the middle of Wyoming did >not emphasize treating women as equals; it takes a real effort. This is an >effort that I am willing to make, because equal they truly are. Is it too >much to ask to be treated as an equal too? I am not a rapist, and I carry >no infectious diseases; I don't see why I should have to yield the sidewalk >to any other person. Julia's SUGGESTION has nothing to do with whether or not men are being treated as equals. She is not asking for a mandate, she is not saying you SHOULD (argh, how I hate that word) take action, she is not stating that this is a parameter which must be fulfilled if you are to be considered a sensitive, caring man. Julia is ASKING (on behalf of all nervous women on the streets after dark) for a GIFT. Part of taking responsibility for what we want in life is to ASK for it. It does not imply entitlement, or expectation that it this request will be granted. But there may be a few caring souls out there, who have had their consciousness raised about how women might feel on the street alone at night, and the next time they find themselves in that sit- uation choose to give the woman the gift of a little less unease. The rest of you can do whatever you please. Moira Mallison tektronix!moiram