Gender Discrimination

If we substituted "Blacks" or "Jews" for Women in this thread, would people still says things like: "it's always been like this" or "it's not a big deal" or "women should learn to just deal with it"?

Some might. I hate discrimination in any form, and will always say so. If some think that is "going off the rails", so be it.

I hate it as much as you do. Perhaps more. My reference to 'going off the rails' had to do with the way this changed from a productive discussion into a food fight. A snarky reference was made about another poster's wife. That is indeed going off the rails. If you think I in any way excuse or condone discrimination, you are talking to the wrong person.

I think there is no good place for this discussion to go now.

The reference was not "snarky" in the least. It was a general reference to a specific phrase often used by those who would strip people of their humanity, and also by those who are willing to accept it for whatever reason. Someone chose to take it personally because their wife used it and had I pointed out that fact. Discrimination and prejudice have evil side effects over and above the obvious, and one of them is the attitude when voiced by the oppressed that they should "just deal with it". Saying so perpetuates the attitude that it is permissible, which it should never be.
And this has nothing to do with strength in a personal relationship, which is a totally different set of circumstances.

Interesting how all the males carrying pitchforks and torches on this thread have completely ignored the posting by Nells250, the only female to have weighed in.

I noticed that her attitude is exactly what I have been railing about; perhaps that is why she has ignored us.

Why would you want to go there, too? How many more people are you going to imply are second-class citizens while trying to promote equal treatment? I'm terribly confused, and don't see how this addresses the issue of treating female collectors or minority collectors equally and fairly.

This thread started off rather interesting, because I thought there would be solutions and positive ideas. I'm going to bow out now. Guess that makes me a second-class citizen in some people's eyes. But just because someone else thinks I'm a second-class citizen doesn't actually mean I'm a second-class citizen.

Second class citizens????? I am not implying anything of the kind. I am trying to point out that equality must be fought for. I am not making them anything, they are allowing the people in power who do discriminate to feel it is OK to do so. This is not news, it has been true for a very long time. I have seen and heard this for decades. I can't help it if you cannot see this.

Men telling women in manifesto-style language how they should properly react in this situation is as good an illustration of "mansplaining" as I've ever seen.

How individuals act, interact and react is a personal issue.
A stamp dealer that's a member of the APS..., that's entirely different.

paperhistory posted


Sounds like they are reacting to the letter. Hopefully they will interact with the parties in question and then take appropriate action.

If it appears the APS drops the ball on this, than anyone can champion for change. Men as well as Women.
But for any individual, this might not be a battle they would choose, Man or Woman.

EVERYONE should be working to end discrimination, gender or any other. If you think that constitutes "mansplaining", so be it. Some day perhaps you will realize that gender discrimination does affect men too. Discrimination affects everyone, whether they admit it to themselves or not.

Rev, I must congratulate you on reaching new heights (or depths?) of condescension with each successive post. I think the moderators should put an unfortunate kibosh on this originally well-intentioned thread.

Yes it was originally well intentioned, thanks for noting that. I had reservations at the time which as it turns out were well founded.

Gender equality and discrimination are two issues that need to be discussed but we apparently are not where we need to be as a society for them to be discussed without rancor. Maybe it is just best to put a merciful end to this thread.