A Subjective Look at the Subject of Feminism

A few reactions to this week's reading:
To be frank, my first response to the Califia reading was one of shock and dismay as I was in disbelief at how gravely Janice Raymond manipulated the essentialist argument. While her argument lies largely on the notion that transexualism is a manipulation of biology as well as a "reinforcing of sex-role stereotypes," Raymond's outright bigotry sparked a different question about biology for me. And that is, this blatant power hungry feminist ideology that Raymond is touting, makes me wonder if we humans are not simply biologically predisposed to subjugate one another no matter how low we may be on someone else's totem pole. I think what Califia succeeds in doing, is realizing that many of the problems women face vis a vis feminism today is due to the lack of reception, love and support from fellow women. Perhaps her most prominent reflection was her realization that "We (women) will have to change at least as much, if not more, than men." Halberstam echoes this sentiment as well in "Female Masculinity," as she speaks of the women who sneer and snicker at tomboy and "masculine" looking women. Women reinforce just as many stereotypes as men, and whether the patriarchal structure is responsible for that lack of support, is almost irrelevant. It is incumbent upon us to confront internal female hatred and bigotry.
Another point that stuck out was Raymond's assertion that one of the reason's men may want to become transexual is because of a certain envy of female biological power. I'm curious to discuss how women in this class view their biological stance, how relevant child-bearing is for everyone and whether it is viewed as a source of empowerment or burden.