Why would women on the left collaborate with women on the right for a sex strike when we obviously want different things? What would be the point? It doesn't make any sense. Explain please.
And the nerve of those on the left for deriding bigotry and complicity with the Great Crime./s (By the way, which is the Great Crime--putting children in cages? inciting an armed insurrection at the heart of our democracry? or? or?... too many to choose from.)
You know, you should really give us a chance to grieve the tremendous loss so many of us are experiencing right now before criticizing us for not reaching across the aisle. We'll probably get there eventually, but no need to kick us when we're down.
It really doesn't make sense, because white women (of which I am one, and who comprise a majority of my friends) went all in for Trump. (I did not.) Why would they withhold sex? They won, and they did it on purpose.
This is a very helpful analysis. I love when you explain history. And fwiw, I think women ARE going to reach across the aisles to each other sooner rather than later, because what is coming will be unacceptable to plenty of women on the right, not just the left.
You are right about the difference between the 4B movement and Lysistrata's efforts. But I think you completely missed a critical point when looking at the US now: considerably more women than men voted for Harris, and more men than women voted for Trump. Ergo, if women Harris voters refused to engage in sexual relations with men who voted for Trump, these men could be facing real demographic challenges to finding a sexual (or any kind) of partner. And this could drive the point home very nicely. Prostitutes could blunt some of the impact but they could be supported financially to withhold their services.
(Conversely, men Democratic voters would find it easier to find a partner.)
The thing is the trend has been in the opposite direction, since the points gap between women voting Blue vs Red has shrunk since 2016. When Clinton ran, women voted for her at 13 points higher than for Trump. This expanded to 15 points for Biden, but dropped to 8 points for Harris. A higher percentage of women voted for Trump this time than either of the last two elections, so in actual fact the conservative men have greater choice than before.
All conservative women have to do is say Come Get It Here Instead to men, and you might well see a reduction in male Democrat voters. Why stay and be blamed for everything when the other side is -- literally -- courting you?
This 4B idea has the potential to backfire heavily.
The question is, is it a sex strike against Republicans? If you want it to be successful, Republican sex partners must be in on the strike, or the Republicans won't notice it's going on.
Conversely, if it's a case of "I'm not interested in complicating my life, irrespective of politics," then it can't really be a sex strike. A strike of any sort occurs when people who wish to do a Thing, AND wish to be treated fairly while doing that Thing, stop doing that Thing to show that they are themselves necessary to that Thing, and deserve to be treated fairly. If one chooses to forgo the Thing because the Thing is not good for the one, that is not a strike - that's abstaining.
The author is not kicking anybody. The author is merely pointing out the disconnect in the application of a sex strike in this case, and the case of Lysistrata. The author is encouraging simplifying one's life, and reminding us that those on the other "side" can sometimes be our sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and children.
You are hurting right now, as so many of us are. Mourn. Experience what you need to experience. When you're ready, we can all work together to find that better way for all of us.
"To the extent that a sex strike could work, it would be contingent on establishing common ground with the very women you’ve derided for their bigotry, their blindness, and their complicity with the Great Crime. I see no sign of that happening."
Women who support Trump or who support misogynistic laws against women's rights generally wouldn't join a "boycott" against Trump or against misogyny.
Why would women on the left collaborate with women on the right for a sex strike when we obviously want different things? What would be the point? It doesn't make any sense. Explain please.
And the nerve of those on the left for deriding bigotry and complicity with the Great Crime./s (By the way, which is the Great Crime--putting children in cages? inciting an armed insurrection at the heart of our democracry? or? or?... too many to choose from.)
You know, you should really give us a chance to grieve the tremendous loss so many of us are experiencing right now before criticizing us for not reaching across the aisle. We'll probably get there eventually, but no need to kick us when we're down.
My goal was simple. A sex strike that only involves one political group is not Lysistrata, and the comparison is off.
I understand nerves are raw. People get to feel what they feel. I also understand curating one’s reading to avoid further provocation.
But I don’t co-sign anger. And even for my friends, I will not do that. I’d rather lose friends and readers than indulge outrage. I wish you well.
It really doesn't make sense, because white women (of which I am one, and who comprise a majority of my friends) went all in for Trump. (I did not.) Why would they withhold sex? They won, and they did it on purpose.
This is a very helpful analysis. I love when you explain history. And fwiw, I think women ARE going to reach across the aisles to each other sooner rather than later, because what is coming will be unacceptable to plenty of women on the right, not just the left.
You are right about the difference between the 4B movement and Lysistrata's efforts. But I think you completely missed a critical point when looking at the US now: considerably more women than men voted for Harris, and more men than women voted for Trump. Ergo, if women Harris voters refused to engage in sexual relations with men who voted for Trump, these men could be facing real demographic challenges to finding a sexual (or any kind) of partner. And this could drive the point home very nicely. Prostitutes could blunt some of the impact but they could be supported financially to withhold their services.
(Conversely, men Democratic voters would find it easier to find a partner.)
The thing is the trend has been in the opposite direction, since the points gap between women voting Blue vs Red has shrunk since 2016. When Clinton ran, women voted for her at 13 points higher than for Trump. This expanded to 15 points for Biden, but dropped to 8 points for Harris. A higher percentage of women voted for Trump this time than either of the last two elections, so in actual fact the conservative men have greater choice than before.
All conservative women have to do is say Come Get It Here Instead to men, and you might well see a reduction in male Democrat voters. Why stay and be blamed for everything when the other side is -- literally -- courting you?
This 4B idea has the potential to backfire heavily.
@gigi
The question is, is it a sex strike against Republicans? If you want it to be successful, Republican sex partners must be in on the strike, or the Republicans won't notice it's going on.
Conversely, if it's a case of "I'm not interested in complicating my life, irrespective of politics," then it can't really be a sex strike. A strike of any sort occurs when people who wish to do a Thing, AND wish to be treated fairly while doing that Thing, stop doing that Thing to show that they are themselves necessary to that Thing, and deserve to be treated fairly. If one chooses to forgo the Thing because the Thing is not good for the one, that is not a strike - that's abstaining.
The author is not kicking anybody. The author is merely pointing out the disconnect in the application of a sex strike in this case, and the case of Lysistrata. The author is encouraging simplifying one's life, and reminding us that those on the other "side" can sometimes be our sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and children.
You are hurting right now, as so many of us are. Mourn. Experience what you need to experience. When you're ready, we can all work together to find that better way for all of us.
"To the extent that a sex strike could work, it would be contingent on establishing common ground with the very women you’ve derided for their bigotry, their blindness, and their complicity with the Great Crime. I see no sign of that happening."
Women who support Trump or who support misogynistic laws against women's rights generally wouldn't join a "boycott" against Trump or against misogyny.