THE MASCULINIZATION OF PROSE

Over at Free Space Comix I wrote this in cheeky defense of Chris Stroffolino (for more on this, see Elsewhere:

Mr. Arras, might — I mean, just *might*… have

a problem with the [giggles embarrasedly[sic]]…

*feminization of prose*? I mean, I don’t know.

Maybe.

And Mr. Arras rather huffily replied:

“Feminization of prose” sounds like another one

of those non-starter interpretations pulled out

of a grab-bag of progressive critiques — next it’s

going to be a class issue, then a race issue, an

issue of those at the margins vs. those at the center

(or subaltern vs. the West), an issue of one’s relationship

to the popular culture vs. “classical” culture, an issue

of anal retentiveness and asexuality vs. the liberated

libido, etc. Try them all on for size.

I’ve been getting more and more peeved the more I think about this.

Brian, I mean Mr. Arras, haven’t we indulged your fantasy of being a “diplomat” in some high modernist space fantasy? You’d think the shakiness of that premise would lead you to indulge others in their fantasies. But quite the contrary, you’ve been pointing your finger with ever more glee at all us goofballs in our dress-up games.

And why NOT try ’em all on for size? I bet you like looking in the mirror as much as I do.

Anyway, what’s wrong with being “progressive”? And why not bring gender into the discussion? What’s next? Gonna call me a Feminazi?

Oh, phooey on you and the shockwave you rode in on!