Holy shit, Andrea Dworkin died. She was only 58. Whether you agree with what she had to say or not, she started a discussion that changed a lot of people’s thinking.
I find the whole question of porn incredibly complex. I tend to think of myself as a pro-porn feminist when I use labels like that at all, but that’s not to say I think all porn is unproblematic. Even putting that aside, I think that Dworkin’s analysis of rape and its role in society is incredibly powerful. Without her, I don’t think we would have a widespread acceptance of the idea that rape is about power, not sexual arousal. And there is some merit to the discussion of the privilege that accords to men through the existence of rape in society, which is something she is often misquoted on (at least I think I’m right; I don’t think she ever actually said ‘all men are rapists’).
I think I’ve only ever read extracts of her books in university readers; I’ve never read one of her whole books. And some of the negativity towards feminism today is negativity towards her brand of uncompromising rhetoric. Some have called her a man-hater; funny for someone who was married to a man.
Anyway. Passing of an significant figure.