Dan Matthews

I wasn’t afraid of gender; I’m even more solid now

Revisado: 04-06-24

I wrote an email to Judith Butler. I realized it can serve as a review (below). Whereever you may have started on the questions of sex, gender, gender identity—that set of topics, I think this book will expand your horizons and give you things to think about, even (maybe especially) if you don’t agree with every word. I’d like to be clear, there is much I disagree with; but I love it that Butler (they/them) invites people who disagree to talk together, to join each other against common enemies. To be honest, it’s not always clear that Butler would listen to disagreements by reasonable people, but I’ll take them at their word.
If you have read “Gender Trouble” you will find this clearer and with a positive message about what we might be able to do together. I needed a guiding light in these difficult times. That light is coalition: “If you’re in a coalition and you’re comfortable, you know it’s not a broad enough coalition.” (Bernice Johnson Reagon quoted in “Who’s Afraid of Gender” by Judith Butler)

Here’s what I wrote to Judith Butler:
Dear Dr. Butler,

A few minutes ago,  I finished with your voice reading me Who’s Afraid of Gender? You have influenced me (for the better). Understanding gender has been an important part of my life since the days I watched my parents fitting and misfitting their roles. I am one who has kept his first sex assignment and have spent 70-odd years “[establishing my] relationship to that assignment.”(p. 185)

You will perhaps want to know that you and I agree more now that I have finished your book than we did before. I’m pretty sure you didn’t change while I was reading, so it must be me. I have read a lot in this area (many sides) and struggle mightily to understand and to be better able to influence those with whom I interact (a full range of the spectrum of ideas and opinions). You have helped me be clearer, you have invited me to rethink some things I was somewhat settled with. You seem intent on having that kind of influence and it worked on me (Gender Trouble was helpful; I like how you’ve evolved).

In particular, I want to be part of that coalition (endorsed by Bernice Johnson Reagon, p. 245) that I’m not fully comfortable in. I am deeply saddened and distressed by the contentiousness among people who ought to be making cause against a common power. I so much value that thread running through the book: that we dampen our strength through internal divisions and invective. I wish you were here drinking coffee with me; we would have some things to disagree about and we would see we are on the same side.

I mentioned an amendment in my Subject line. In the paragraph starting at the bottom of Page 214, you are discussing the size-of-gametes argument. The last sentence of that paragraph reads, “In these cases [species of algae, fungi, and protozoans with the same size gametes], the species is divided into genetic groups known as ‘mating types,’ but sex falls out of the picture” (my emphasis). I suggest you revise it in later printings to read, “…mating types, but ‘male’ and ‘female’ fall out of the picture.” Surely whatever disagreements there may be about what sex is and how many there are and the rest, there is agreement that two haploid cells joining is sexual reproduction. The notion of something being sex but not having anything to do with male and female is a pretty fun concept, in my mind. I hope you won’t think this is nitpicking—when I am going to have a serious conversation about sex and all the topics you discuss in your book, I start with sexual versus asexual reproduction which, in some versions, has no relevance to male and female.

I don’t want to end without noting the warmth I feel in the book—not many pages go by without your inviting us to remember our humanity, our ability to work together and all of the forms of love we can have for each other.

Thank you for your book. It has served me well in my own growth and will contribute greatly to my conversations, left, center and right.

Dan Matthews
Albuquerque

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Clear thinking about sex

Revisado: 02-24-24

So many people come with an agenda when they talk and write about sex, gender, and sexual orientation. This agenda may be personal, political, religious or polemical but it seeps into their arguments, over-simplifies, distorts. Carole Hooven provides an important counter to this agenda-driven dialogue. To be honest, she has an agenda and it is to make sure the listener/reader understands the complexity of these issues; she advocates and exemplifies clarity of thought. Hooven’s history as a teacher comes through loud and clear—she is careful with her explanations, her examples and well-chosen and useful metaphors. Dr. Hooven has given us a book about one of the most important and devisive issues of our time; she shows it in all its complexity, she avoids jargon, and she helps us wade into these topics that she has spent so much time learning about, grappling with and teaching. Thank you Dr. Hooven.

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Old, white guys also need this vision of the future

Revisado: 04-02-18

I’m a 71-year-old white male. Here’s what I posted to Facebook. “That you are a friend of mine means that you are often distressed these days by what's happening in the world. If you are one of my friends who voted FOR Hillary (as opposed to holding your nose in order to vote against Trump) there is a bit of solace and hope in Jennifer Palmieri's new book, "Dear Madam President" (an excellent listen; read by the author). It is an open letter to that woman of the future who does what Hillary almost did. And to all women and men who would be glad to follow them. If the Communications Director for Clinton, (formerly Communications Director for Obama), who fought like crazy to get Hillary elected, can find a future worth hoping for (which includes lots of women running things) then maybe I can too.

“Those who disliked Hillary will learn some things about her and may dislike her less, but may have some inertia to overcome.”

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