A note from the author, posted 8.14.07: Some have suggested that I owe this group of women an apology for expressing my views regarding segregation of people by gender, race or ethnicity. I'm sorry but I cannot apologize for my values and my beliefs that doing so is harmful and sends the wrong message. I would protest the same if this were a list of white men. Furthermore, Valeria is a friend with whom I have broken bread, and I would never intentionally harm her in any way. That said, as a strong and passionate person with whom, in her words, I have much in common, she would understand how sacred I hold my beliefs and values. However, several have suggested that the title of the post and the accompanying photo are inappropriate and too strong. I accept the perception and have changed both the title and the headline. In terms of the tone, in reading this post many times, I cannot understand why some have criticized the tone as offensive. I worked very hard to present the point of view with sensitivity. If I failed, help me see where. Thank you--Lewis Green
As long as I am about to venture into territory where no man with any sense should go, I might as well start with a provocative headline. The truth is that I would never throw a bomb at women or men or any group of people. Doing so is against everything I value, as it's both wrong and stupid to classify ideas by gender or ethnicity.
But it is also wrong, I believe, and this is where I am about to get killed, to create anything that is women only, men only, whites only, blacks only, or any class of people only. At least for public consumption in a public place, which the blogosphere is. So when that happens, despite the best intentions of the author, I feel compelled to protest. Forgive me. I know not what I do.
Here's the newest meme to build links and to get bloggers noticed. It's called the W List. You can read about its beginnings here: Top 20 PR PowerWomen go Everywhere -- the W-List.
Here is the comment I left with Valeria, for a little more background:
The message being sent to me is that in order for women bloggers to be noticed, they must create a special class of people. And that just isn't true. In fact, I believe it is hurtful and demeaning to women, especially those who are getting noticed. It is certainly disrespectful to us male readers and demeaning of our efforts to write about women bloggers as often as we write about men. I don't write about women because I think they need my help. I write about them because they said or have something important to say.
I read as many women writers as men, and women do as well if not better than men as novelists, poets, and free-lance writers. Why not as bloggers? Again, I urge women bloggers to market their sites; don't depend upon a gimmick, however. It is beneath you. Talent, not gender, should be the focus of marketing blogs to get them noticed.
Back to my present voice:
Where am I wrong? Don't tell me I'm sexist because that assumes you know nothing about me and says more about you than me. Give me the good arguments for separating us into special classes of people. What are those arguments?
And please keep in mind: It takes a man who loves all people to be willing to jump into this question. But having marched and lobbied for women's rights and civil rights since the '70s and having been arrested for my commitment, separating us by gender offends me. Am I too sensitive or missing something important? Help me better understand.
P.S. Valeria, who is one of my favorite people of all time just sent me this in response to my comment on her post:
"Most of the ladies on this list I did not know with a few rare exceptions. Why? Because (and entire books are written on it) women tend to be less self promotional than men. Look at the statistics:
Power 150 -- 13% are women
Top 100 blogs on Technorati - 8% are women
My response: You are correct. And it is sad, especially for women who are as smart as the women on the list. Follow Drucker: "Without marketing there is no business (there is no blog)." Promote yourselves women. You are more than worthy and all of us should be aware of your thoughts and ideas. Valeria's heart is in the right place, but I still think these sorts of ideas, while well-meaning, drive wedges between us.
