It's mainly a few elite women who benefit greatly from standing with the forces that keep women down.
Catharine MackinnonRead
So the idea that there is nothing essential, in the sense that there are no human universals, is dogma. Ask most anyone who is going to be shot at dawn.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that certain human experiences and truths are universal, contrary to the belief that nothing is essential.
Catharine Mackinnon's quote suggests that the notion of having no human universals is a dogmatic viewpoint. By referring to the experience of those facing extreme situations, such as being shot at dawn, she illustrates that there are shared human experiences that connect people across different cultures and contexts, challenging the idea that everything is relative.
Themes
UniversalTruthHuman ExperienceExistenceDogma
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on human rights, one might use this quote to emphasize the shared experiences of all individuals regardless of background.
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Feminism is built on believing women's accounts of sexual use and abuse by men.
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Politically, I call it rape whenever a woman has sex and feels violated.
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