bitter me again waging my private no-one-listens war against self-oppression by girls everywhere.

[timepiececlock]

I'm reading this thread at fictionalley.org right now, that discusses the reactions amongst fans to HP book 5, and the differences between boy and girl opinions of the book, and why so many girls "apparenly" dislike the new angrier Harry because he's no longer a boring "nice" character (which isn't true-- he's still a nice person now he's jsut a very upset nice person.)

I didn't know people disliking the new Harry was gender thing, because I personally liked him more.

But that's nto really here nor there, to me. The reason I'm posting this is that the girls/women that did reply, were being apologetic for being female and liking the newer Harry. They'd make senteces like "Well, I like the new Harry, but then all my friends are guys..." or "I think the new Harry is more realistic and like him more, but I am kinda weird for a girl," or "Thats me though, i get along better with guys, and i don't know how the rest of the female population thinks hehe."

I actually snapped out loud at my computer screen: "STOP FUCKING APOLOGIZING FOR BEING A GIRL AND HAVING A BRAIN!"

It's so infuriating that in order to agree with the mature/intelligent opinion you have first identify yourself as a tomboy or apologize for thinking outside the typical brainless silly flighty girl box.

Stupid people.

I'm still pondering whether to bring this point up or not on the forum. I sort of did a little bit in my own response, but now I'm thinking it needs something more...pointed.


EDIT: I did reply with something more to say on the subject.

Comments

[xanphibian.livejournal.com]

I didn't know people disliking the new Harry was gender thing, because I personally liked him more.

Me too! Personally, I didn't really like Harry in books 1-4. I didn't identify with him, couldn't grasp his motivations, and I didn't fully understand the way he viewed the world. I immediately bonded with the Harry from OotP. We *connected*. (if that doesn't sound too weird)

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I didn't think much of him either. That was why I was never really that excited about the books-- until book 5 I thought they were cute but there was no one I really identified with as a main character-- not Ron or Hermione either. And now in book 4, suddenly I'm identifying with not only Harry, but also Neville and Luna, not to mention all the Professors (who developed real personality this year.) Of course I like this book more. The idea that I wouldn't like the new Harry because I was a girl never entered my mind.

[loves-bitch.livejournal.com]

Gah! Yes I LOVE new Harry! There is a reason I always loved the Weasly twins more than him (hell Even Draco more than him). They actually ACTED LIKE BOYS, not whiney lil "oh-woe-is-me-i'm-famous-and-my-parents-are-dead"

See now Angsty Broody Harry I love to no end. Though if I was him I would curse Umbridge into the next century. I'm only halfway through the book, but she pisses me off.

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

Well, I've been known to acknowledge that I'm odd ('cause I am) when I state both an opinion and demographic... be it gender, age, ethnicity, socio-political affiliation, whatever. Sometimes it's 'cause I don't feel like being argumentative (what? it happens), or in the name of honesty, and sometimes it's cause I'm a good mathematician's daughter, and I know that while one counter-example disproves an absolute statement, like "girls don't like the new Harry Potter", it isn't enough to sway categories like "some," "most," or "many." I've raised an eyebrow at generalizations I feel are surprising or too general, and that's often why I comment, but I can only speak for myself. And in a way, however self-deprecating these girls/women are being, if enough of them say they feel differently, even if they do so in the context of saying they're different, they do refute the generalization. And sometimes even I come off as being apologetic if I'm trying to make a point without making a kerfuffle.

That's me being mushy. Although then sometimes I go off on people for making stupid generalizations.

But then I don't read Harry Potter, let alone Harry Potter message boards, so you may be right about the nature of the comments.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

And sometimes even I come off as being apologetic if I'm trying to make a point without making a kerfuffle.

I ahve that quandry sometimes too.

But then I don't read Harry Potter, let alone Harry Potter message boards, so you may be right about the nature of the comments.

It was mostly an observation of that single thread. This is the only HP board I've been to (though its an extensive one), and I'm still only just finding my way around it.

[saava.livejournal.com]

Ugh. That really bothers me. Especially since the vast majority of any and all fandoms are women. (I wonder why that is? Possibly because men seem to be, in general, more passionate about tangible things and women more passionate about ideas.)

I've always liked Harry, but in OOTP I loved him more than ever. I've heard people bitching and comparing him to Buffy while dissing both characters. Like heroes are always supposed to be perfect and happy. Grrr.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Oui. I haven't heard much because much absorbtion of HP fandom has been low-key and mostly fanfic-focused, but now it's starting to show and annoying me.

I wonder why that is? Possibly because men seem to be, in general, more passionate about tangible things and women more passionate about ideas.

I had never thought about that. Interesting.

question

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

how'd you get your journal to look that way? I've seen a few other people have it too.