I’m back from two weeks of guest blogging at feminist Mormon housewives. Here’s a recap:
The Loneliness of the Male Feminist
For Those Who Struggle with Eating Disorders and Self Injury
Renegotiating Marriage and Faith (Our Journey)
fMh is one of the most frequented sites in LDS blogdom. The dynamic is totally different–after posting, there was instant conversation and a couple of the threads stretched out to 150 comments or more. I suppose that hundreds or even thousands of people read each post. I’m not shy to say that I had an agenda and was willing to take advantage of my fifteen minutes on the soapbox in the spotlight. (I couldn’t think of any more metaphors to mix.)
My main goals were:
- to counter stereotypes of feminism, and to rehabilitate the ‘f-word’;
- to advocate male feminism;
- to give Heavenly Mother a bit more air time;
- to increase understanding of the socially and culturally constructed nature of gender;
- to increase awareness of eating disorders and self injury; and
- to help couples who are struggling because their spiritual priorities are out of sync.
I’d like to think that the blogging world is a bit more feminist-friendly and that a few burdens were shared for my part. I know that blogging doesn’t get the respect that traditional media does, but I know from experience that it has the power to connect people, to comfort, to heal, to transform lives. I’m grateful to fMhLisa for entrusting such a wonderful opportunity to a marginal Mormon like me.
That said, it’s good to be back home.
9 responses so far ↓
1 C. L. Hanson // Jan 16, 2007 at 5:39 am
I like fMh too. They’re my favorite LDS blog over on the faithful side of the cultural Mormon blogosphere.
The thing like and respect most about their blog is the fact that they’re willing to tackle hard questions head-on and especially hear (civil) opposing viewpoints without being dismissive or defensive. That shows confidence and open-mindedness (rare traits, regardless of the philosophy/perspective one is coming from).
2 John White // Jan 16, 2007 at 7:22 am
Wow, I’m reading through the posts, and especially the comments. There’s almost a voyeuristic thrill to get this much insight/information about the internal attitudes about a culture, but I’m wary about internalizing it without context. Wow.
3 Elise // Jan 16, 2007 at 8:45 am
I’d never read fMh until you linked from here to your guest blogs, but I really enjoyed what I read. Interesting, thought-provoking material - I will likely continue reading even though you are back home at MoF.
4 Watt Mahoun // Jan 16, 2007 at 11:06 am
Very good work, John…and Jana… very good work letting your voice be heard in a most insightful, personal, and respectful way.
5 Ryan // Jan 16, 2007 at 11:22 am
John, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories, comments and opinions that were shared in response to your topic posts on fMh. Great topics, btw!
I don’t know what illicited this repsonse, but while I was reading, I started to have flashbacks of some of my bland memories of LDS meetings (one of my more vivid recollections from my mormon upbringing, I guess). But as I kept reading some of the responses, I began to appreciate more and more the diversity of experiences, opinions, and stories told from this particular slice of the mormon blogosphere.
Then I thought about how I enjoy learning about people who are comfortable embracing different channels for open discourse and discussion that might be outside the framework of traditional LDS means for such, but provide such worthwhile outlets to share those all-important spiritual struggles, convictions, experiences, concerns and opinions. I never really had access to such an outlet for sharing some of my own thoughts when I first needed it. Times have changed, and for the better.
6 Seraphine // Jan 16, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I don’t think I commented on any of your guest posts, but I wanted to say I thought your topics were great, and I really appreciated the ensuing discussion on quite a few of them. Thanks!
7 Lessie // Jan 17, 2007 at 10:08 am
Thanks again for the posts on FMH. I’ve been looking at yours and Jana’s blogs and it’s been neat to get to know you two a little better and see how you’ve dealt with the subjects you brought up at FMH. Do you guys have anything in your archives that might shed a little more light on how to negotiate a potential faith change journey? I’m looking for all the help I can get.
8 John // Jan 17, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Lessie, I’ll try to come up with a few links. Both Jana and I would be happy to share via email. Depending on how your faith is changing, one of the trickier bits is that there is no set path, no authority to guide you. But it does help to have supportive friends from a variety of perspectives.
Thanks, Seraphine, Ryan, Watt, Elise. Some blood, sweat and trepidation went into those posts, so the compliments are genuinely appreciated. I’m glad I could get some of you turned on to fMh for the first time! John W., I’d love to hear more of your questions and observations.
9 Lessie // Jan 20, 2007 at 11:16 am
Indeed, John. Supportive friends are exactly what I’m looking for right now. I realize there is no authority to guide me–in some ways that’s empowering and in others it’s terrifying. Anyway, if you and Jana wouldn’t mind an e-mail exchange, it would mean a lot to me. If you had some of the same questions I had, I’m interested to know how you dealt with them. I’d love to talk to Jana as well since she negotiated Mormon culture as a woman for some time before growing tired. I have very few women who are willing to talk to me about these things, so another female friend would be great right now. Thanks for your willingness to help.
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