Yesterday, Iowa conservative talk radio host Steve Deace invited Suzanne Venker, an anti-feminist activist and niece of Phyllis Schlafly, on to his program to discuss her latest Fox News article explaining why it’s all women’s fault that they can’t find husbands.
Deace took the opportunity to make a very important point about feminism, or at least his impression of what feminism is. “Explain to me,” he asked Venker, “why if feminists disdain the unique traits of masculinity, why they are so eager to bestow them upon themselves and to absorb them into their own paradigm. I don’t understand that.”
“I wish I could, but that is the ultimate paradox,” she responded. “And I think when it’s pointed out, that distinctly, which you did, it’s just so obvious that nobody should really associate themselves with this movement, because that in itself makes absolutely no sense.”
“There’s no question that they are disdainful of masculinity, that is just not debatable,” she added. “But at the same time, you’re saying, you don’t need a man…because you’re basically capable of everything he is capable of and you should aspire to be like a man in your life. That’s what makes you powerful and of value and equal to them. Which, as you say, makes no sense because you just said masculinity sucks. So make up your mind.”
