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From: del@dataio.UUCP (Erik Lindberg)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: non-sexual/denominational opinion on crossing streets
Message-ID: <526@dataio.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 21-Dec-84 17:39:12 EST
Article-I.D.: dataio.526
Posted: Fri Dec 21 17:39:12 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 23-Dec-84 01:07:35 EST
Organization: Data I/O Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 45

< eatme >

The discussion here is missing the point, and I am already separating
this into a new discussion not particularily related to the original
topic of rape.

The whole thing seems to have degenerated into a discussion of whether
men owe women this courtesy, whether they should do it as a gift, or if
it is just common decency. With arguments against mostly either
claiming they can't be bothered worrying about it, they're too proud (or
along that line) or saying it should be up to the women.

***** Well try this on for size:

I wish to treat a woman as an equal, in fact to make no delineation
between wo/men other than (obviously) sexually and the personal
relationships that might result between interested parties.

Now, after the above, there are only people in the world. When a person
feels uncomfortable in a situation involving another person, it is
their responsibility to determine whether to avoid the situation (like
crossing the street), or to confront it (like putting on whatever kind
of airs). It is not the responsibility of any person to expend any
effort anticipating other peoples' insecurities (with the possible
exception of people in an alien culture). This is not only a waste of
effort (more often than not), but can even be construed as insulting,
demeaning, etc.

Note that this is not a description of utopia, but of what our society
(and NOW, ERA, etc) claims to be working toward: equality.

Yes, I do get a little excited when someone suggests that men should
cross the streets to avoid frightening women, but that has nothing at
all to do with the fact that they are women. Simply that I feel that no
problem was ever solved by trying to compensate for it with a reaction
that skirts (no pun intended) the issue.

If you want to do someone a favor, try doing something direct. Like
take them where they need to go. Sorry I have no answer to the bigger
question.

Erik Lindberg	AKA	del 
...!uw-beaver!teltone!dataio!del

( Life is like a rose. It looks pretty, but don't grab on too tight! )