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Writer's pictureDeric Hollings

Let Them Fight



The wisdom of Dr. Serizawa


In the 2014 film Godzilla, fictional monsters begin to battle as a character named Dr. Ishirō Serizawa famously advocates the conflict by stating, “The arrogance of men is thinking nature is in our control and not the other way around. Let them fight.” It was a pivotal turning point in the movie.


Rather than disturbing one’s opponents when they clash, Serizawa allows perceived threats to humanity the opportunity to defeat themselves. This rationale is akin to not interrupting one’s opponent when an error is made so that one’s adversary will suffer defeat without significant effort.


Instead of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory—losing when it seemed a win was inevitable—Serizawa was wise enough not to interfere when behemoths fought. Today, I applaud the wisdom of Serizawa as antagonists struggle in the sociopolitical arena.


International Women’s Day


Today (March 8, 2023) is International Women’s Day. Visiting the website of this day’s namesake, I discovered the following:


Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.


In a blogpost entitled Oki-woke, Pinoke, I addressed my concerns with diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility (DEIA)—often simplified by eliminating “accessibility” from the acronym, presumably to keep people from mocking “DIE.” This is a distinction without a difference.


On the surface, promotion of DEI may sound morally and ethically legitimate. However, under its covering, the illegitimacy of this form of activism becomes quite apparent.


The International Women’s Day website begins its declaration by stating, “Imagine a gender equal world,” and goes on to advocate “equitable” outcomes. Yet, these terms are contradictory.


One source explains that equality is the “access to and distribution of a set of resources evenly across individuals” and equity is the “access to or distribution of resources according to need.” The source adds, “Equality assumes that everybody is the same and everybody needs the same thing. But some people need more because they started with less.”


This framing may seem reasonable, or even good, moral, or appropriate to some people. Still, others—such as me—recognize the distinction as relating to Karl Marx who is credited as having said, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”


Affording people an opportunity to access resources will not guarantee success. The idea of equity presumably rights this perceived wrong by manipulating who receives access to resources.


I’ve heard people claim that equity essentially assures equal outcomes. I reject this conclusion, because restraining some people while elevating others isn’t about equality—it’s about power and dominance.


As such, I consider the International Women’s Day website’s promotion of both equality and equity nonsensical, because these terms are incompatible. Not everyone will succeed in life and creating an unequal system to disadvantage some while advantaging others is, in my opinion, a monstrous affair.


Feminism vs. intersectionality


I can understand that some people don’t know the difference between feminism and intersectionality. Whereas feminism is said to addresses a belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes, I think of intersectionality as feminism plus neo-Marxism.


This is what gives rise to critical theory, which arguably ushered in DEIA principles. Personally, I consider both feminism and intersectionality to be net negative activist movements which are largely misunderstood and grossly misapplied.


To be clear, I consider these ideologies to be monstrous.


Today, as perhaps hundreds of millions of people will applaud women—for which I take no particular issue and in which I do not participate—I jovially observe two egregious belief systems clash. Let them fight.


Those who advocate women’s rights are currently at odds with people who champion women+ rights. Per one source, the expression of “women+ entails trans women, femmes, genderfluid people, cis women, and more.”


I have no ideological leviathan in this conflict. Therefore, I have no intention of interrupting these opponents as they brawl.


The arrogance of this man would be to think unnatural ideological systems are within my control, as I remain powerless regarding the reach and influence such opposing beliefs have over others. Therefore, let… them… fight!


Conclusion


This post has little to do with individuals or groups of women. I like some women, I dislike some women, and I haven’t met most women in order to form an opinion about an entire population of people based on a shared identity.


Women aren’t a monolith and I’m in no position to determine if they are good, bad, right, wrong, or otherwise based on petty differences from my own sex or gender. Therefore, I make no assertion about women as a whole herein.


Nonetheless, I do reject both feminism and intersectionality. As such, when these two unaccommodating ideological monsters meet for battle with one another, I have no interest in interfering with the philosophically mutual combat.


Are you searching for a mental health provider who doesn’t enter the arena as destructive forces decimate society? Are you prepared to castoff the shackles of victimhood and take personal ownership for your life?


If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.


As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.


At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!



Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW



References:


Bohman, J. (2005, March 8). Critical theory. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-theory/

Coleman, T. (2020, April 8). Women+ beyond the binary. TC Consulting. Retrieved from https://www.tanaishacolemanconsulting.com/diversity-inclusion-blog/womxnhood-beyond-the-binary

Enriquez, A. (2021, October 25). Q. How does fair use work for book covers, album covers, and movie posters? Penn State. Retrieved from https://psu.libanswers.com/faq/336502

GLAAD. (n.d.). GLAAS media reference guide 11th edition. Retrieved from https://www.glaad.org/reference/transgender

Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2023, February 9). Feminism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feminism

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2022, September 10). Oki-woke, Pinoke. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/oki-woke-pinoke

Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership

Hollings, D. (2022, November 25). Victimhood. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/victimhood

Human Rights Campaign, The. (n.d.). Glossary of terms. Retrieved from https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms

International Women’s Day. (2023). International Women’s Day March 8, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Know Your Meme. (2015). Godzilla – Let them fight [Image]. Retrieved from https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/757498-godzilla

Movieclips. (2020, March 2). Godzilla (2014) - Let them fight scene (7/10) | Movieclips [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/NocoxyMuXg8

Murphy, C. (2023, January 11). Equity vs. equality: What’s the difference? Health. Retrieved from https://www.health.com/mind-body/health-diversity-inclusion/equity-vs-equality

Shewan, B. (2019, February 15). Are you femme? What femme isn’t and what it is. The Affirmative Couch. Retrieved from https://affirmativecouch.com/are-you-femme-what-femme-isnt-and-what-it-is/

Thomas, S. S. (2017, April 19). What it means if someone is gender-fluid. Refinery 29. Retrieved from https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/04/150470/what-is-gender-fluid

Thomas, S. S. and Andrews, T. (2021, March 26). Your everything-to-know guide on what it means to be cisgender. Cosmopolitan. Retrieved from https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a25253578/cisgender-meaning-definition/

Wikipedia. (n.d.). From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_each_according_to_his_ability,_to_each_according_to_his_needs

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Godzilla (2014 film). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla_(2014_film)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Karl Marx. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Neo-Marxism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Marxism

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