18. Participation in Electronic Discourse in a "Feminist" Field

Oh gosh, I think this was my favorite article all semester. As soon as I read "men's literature" my mouth dropped open and I felt that rush of anger and disbelief run through me. Although, I really shouldn't have been that surprised. "Men's literature" is what the literary canon is already comprised of, men are the ones who determine what is considered classic literature, thus creating a gender dominated discourse that continues to silence the female perspective in most genres of art, most fields for that matter. I encounter this frequently in the English department, not from my professors, per se, but from the literature they require me to read. When having to take a medieval, ancient, or modern literature course, more often than not, the majority of the stories or poems we read are written by men, white, upper class men at that.

And of course, if someone is going to propose such a course, they must be ready for the resistance they will receive, especially in academia. Everyone involved in that particular discourse has a opinion, regardless of gender, and should have every opportunity to share it without fear of retaliation or disapproval at the absurdity of their proclamation, and come to a viable solution where the views of both parties should be respected and addressed.