Re: Re(2): Hair shirts, self-flagellation, and equality

diane celia hodges (dchodges who-is-at interchange.ubc.ca)
Sun, 22 Nov 1998 20:13:24 -0800

If I may...

>At 09:51 22-11-98 -0700, Katherine wrote:
>>the journey of a thousand miles that begins with one step.
>>the step towards my self.

At 8:58 AM 11/23/98, Phil Graham wrote:>
>Such an emphasis on self-reflexiveness is a dangerous kind of selfishness.
>Today's societies are severely afflicted with a solipsism that borders on
>the pathological. The trip inwards is fine, inevitable in fact, as long as
>it is not at the expense of social reflexivity.

In a way, social reflexivity lies deeper in the self than a "me/I" sense of
self - that inner-reflexivity eventually reveals or enables social
consciousness, I think; er,

I mean I believe that it is deep deep within that we can find our humanity,
which is that ability to empathize universally or something to that effect,
isn't it? that moment when you really do recognize what's actually going on
on so many levels...?;

but surely this only comes from the work of empathizing locally,
which can only come about through reflective soul-sourching.

Granted, it can become excessive navel gazing without the social relation
or connection made explicit, but I do agree with Kathie that it is the
essential first step.

and I do believe it is 'dissed' these days
as part of a conspiracy to
stop us
from
thinking.

...this de-valuing inner-work, I mean...not that were mocking Phil, I meant
that more on a larger
scale, it is a huge issue. ESPECIALLY for women.
diane

"Every tool is a weapon if you hold it right." Ani Difranco
*********************************************
diane celia hodges
faculty of education, centre for the study of curriculum and
instruction,
university of british columbia
vancouver, bc canada

snailmail: 3519 Hull Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V5N 4R8