Gender and Politics: A BlogHim Perspective
by Maria Niles

BlogHer spoke with BlogHim Chris Rabb, publisher of Afro-Netizen, and husband of Dr. Imani Perry, about gender and politics. Chris shared his thoughts on the importance of re-thinking gender definitions especially for progressives and feminists of any gender.

He also speaks of the importance of men speaking out against the sexism that was directed towards Hillary Clinton in the campaign as well as how meaningful it is as a father to see Barack Obama's family.


Comments

 

I love that memory re: Free To Be

Rosy Grier knitted! He may still.  I've always loved that image.

What a great expression of what many of us have been reading but is not getting enough play in the media - obviously more dangerous.  There's a really strident back and forth in this post I wrote back in June that shows just how chauvinist some Americans remain and how they prefer to keep pushing that image - and think about all the people who were pushing for Jim Webb because they felt he'd up the Macho quotient.

They need to be listening to Chris Rabb! Thank you both for this interview.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

 

Rosie....

Rosie Grier needlepointed, I don't remember him knitting.

 

Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

 

So funny! yes - you are right

From the google results, it looks like I have a lot of company on the knitting - needlepoint confusion score but you are right! Needlepoint it is.

Thank you, Suzanne!  Check out this Flickr image of the book he wrote, Needlepoint for Men! :)

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

 

Needlepoint

Somehow my comment disappeared but GMTA, Jill. I was attempting to post the same link!

When I took comedy classes at The Groundlings Theater I wrote a sketch based on Rosey and his needlepoint :)

ConsumerPop Marketing
PopConsumer (Politics, Current Events & Links)
Beyond Help (Music, TV & Pop Culture)

 

Afro-Netizen is a terrific blog

I started reading Chris Rabb during the DNC 2004. Great interview!

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of the 2008 political conventions

 

Inspirational!

But that wedding ring is a heartbreak. ;)

Seriously though, totally just added Afro-Netizen to my reader.

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

 

Heartbreaking & inspirational

Not just the interview but the ring, too ;) Check out that link to his wife - she seems awesome. Partnerships like that inspire me.

Thanks for letting me know that the interview was meaningful and that you found a new blog to read. It's gratifying.

ConsumerPop Marketing
PopConsumer (Politics, Current Events & Links)
Beyond Help (Music, TV & Pop Culture)

 

Keep the interviews coming.

I'm enjoying them.  Oh, how I wish I was there.

blog.candelariasilva.com

Good and plenty!

 

Amazing interview

Thanks Lisa, Liz and Candelaria -

I loved talking with Chris and I am so happy that his voice is here at BlogHer.

ConsumerPop Marketing
PopConsumer (Politics, Current Events & Links)
Beyond Help (Music, TV & Pop Culture)

 

Sitting down every guy I know

making them watch
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

 

Off to the boys schools

I'm sending this to my principal (of a girls high school) to send to all of the principals of boys schools she knows!

 

Notions of Identity

 

Chris Rabb's post

at Afro-Netizen where he shares his thoughts on why he did the interview and why it is important is a must read.

Excerpt:

Another reason that led me to speak up and speak out is that just as public discourse around racial justice must not be ceded to people of color alone, the same is true for gender equity to women. Men have an important role in speaking truth to (our own) power and allying with women toward this end. It is not a leading role, but a necessary one that few of us do -- or do boldly or consistently enough (myself included). So, I thought I should lead by example and acknowledge the unearned privilege from which I benefit as a man for the benefit of expanding good faith dialogue on issues of gender identity, sexual orientation, and how we choose to define modern masculinity.

ConsumerPop Marketing
PopConsumer (Politics, Current Events & Links)
Beyond Help (Music, TV & Pop Culture)

 

Thanks so much for this, Maria

Chris and Imani are an incredible couple, indeed. Smart, committed, mutually supportive. I love the work they do and I'm thrilled to see Chris stepping up this way. There are more men like him out there, and we need to hold them up for the world to see. It's especially important for young men of color who are constantly bombarded with images that program them for cultural suicide.

Knowing the perilous state we are in, this is what moves me to happy tears.

 

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|