I was reading some conversations and comments on feminist sites, I'll be merciful and spare you word-for-word accounts, but they went something along the lines of (excuse the extreme paraphrasing),

'Women are finally standing up to male oppression and supremacy and the dictators (read men) don't like it (referring to the MRM, anti-feminists and any other man who's fed up with the modern 'empowered' woman). '

It's nothing new, I'm sure we've all heard it many times before, but it just made me angry. I can't tell you how sick I am of hearing about the oppression of women at the hands of men, how tired I am of hearing about how horrible and evil men are. I think of the men I know, of the men I've known throughout my entire life, and I find myself outraged in their behalf.

When I read such things, I can't help but think of the men who've touched my life and compare them and their character to the way feminists portray them. I want to share a couple of accounts; accounts of the actions of some men who's lives have intersected with my own.

My husband and I had our first child about a year and a half after we were married. The pregnancy was not planned and it wasn't the best timing. I had dropped out of college and was working at a restaurant while my husband finished school. We had enough money to pay rent and buy food, but very little else.

We had regulars at the restaurant where I worked who would come in every morning for coffee. Two of these regulars became concerned because they noticed the tread on the front tires of my car had become perilously thin. They told me it was dangerous to have the tires that bald and that I needed to replace them. I thanked them for the advice but didn't do anything about it because I knew we didn't have any money to buy tires.

A few days later the two men noticed that my tires were still bald so after I'd finished my shift they came over and told me they were taking me to buy tires, that they knew how hard it was when you were newly married and had a child on the way, so they were going to pay for them and wouldn't take 'no' for an anwer.

I knew I couldn't let them do that so I assured them I just hadn't gotten around to buying them yet and would be sure and do so. They told me if I came to work again without better tires on my car they would just show up with them.

I went and sat in my car and cried. I was so touched by the kindness and concern these men had. They hardly knew me, I was someone at a restaurant that served them coffee every so often, but that did nothing to dissuade their kindness and compassion.

We managed to scrape together the money because I couldn't stand the thought of these wonderful men having to buy me tires, but I will never forget their generosity.

At this same time, when I was noticeably pregnant, there was a little old man who would come in a few times a week for a cup of coffee. He would buy a .75 cup of coffee and tip me $5.00. I told him every time that he really shouldn't give me that much, but he always waved me away stating, "I want to help buy a crib for that baby".

This went on for my entire pregnancy until toward the end he gave me a $10 tip. I told him that tipping me $5.00 for a cup of coffee was bad enough, I wasn't going to take $10. He said, "Look now, I got it all figured out, I priced cribs and that $10 added on to the rest I gave you should be just enough to buy one. I don't have any grandkids so don't go hurting my feelings by not letting me help you buy that crib".

I didn't know what to say. I took the ten dollars and whispered, "thank you" while trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to overflow.

Nothing ever infuses me with emotion like being witness to greatness; be it great kindness, great courage or great love. I am so thankful for all the great men I have known in my life. Wonderful men who have many, many times brought me to tears through the greatness of their actions and deeds.

'

More...

That's a really touching story, Kim.

Obviously, there are plenty of really wonderful men in the world. Always has been, and always will be.

I remember a time when I found a set of keys, and upon returning them to the owner, he shook my hand and thanked me. He also slipped a piece of paper into my hand.

It was a check. For five thousand dollars.

No joke.

He knew I was broke, and he knew I was a single mom with three kids, and that I was going through a difficult time.

He was a rich man, and a kind one.

I tried to give him the money back, but he wouldn't take it. He told me to put it toward getting a college education. He knew I would need this in order to support my family.

I cried all the way home.

I also was shown a great act of kindness by a lawyer...two lawyers, separate occasions, in fact.

The first one was my divorce attorney. He knew I had next to no money, and that my ex kept dragging me into court for illegitimate reasons (to prolong/prevent the divorce)...he also knew I was being stalked...and he was a kind man. By the time the divorce was final, I was in debt to him for thousands of dollars. That was seven years ago. And he's never sent me a single bill.

Another lawyer helped me file bankruptcy about fifteen years ago. I only had a couple hundred dollars at the time. He knew this. He helped me anyway, and he also never sent me a single bill for his services. On top of that, he hired me to help him out with childcare for his sons (and house-cleaning)...and he paid me $50.00 an hour to do so.

Amazing but true.

It is a good post Kim. What a touching story. You sound like a NZ/Aussie person with your tale of starting out.

And Tera, $5,000 cheque ...far out.

I can remember one time similar that blew my mind.

My first car was a big deal to me as it would be for anyone. And one time I was driving along a 4 lane road and the bar between the 2 front tyres snapped. Luckily, I was able to drive it to the side of the road where I basically left it. 2 brothers of my mother's friend were cops and they phoned to say they would keep an eye on it.

But one Sunday morning I get up to find my car on the front lawn and fixed. I couldn't believe it.

These 2 guys who I had met just decided to help out. They said they saw the car on the side of the road and knew it was mine.

Thank you for that lead-off, Kim.

And ladies, for your chipping in.

Most men here, I am pretty sure, will be able to say, "I am Spartacus". I certainly can.

I have been pretty generous in large and small ways all my life.

I have cast my bread upon the waters and not even soggy friggin' crumbs have come back.

Virtue is its own reward all right.

"I can remember one time similar that blew my mind. "

that explains a lot

I hope when my time comes I can stand beside you brother. I hope I have what it takes within me.

That's just a case of Men behaving like Men. If given half a chance, many more women would see the light, just like you have.

It's interesting to note the many ways in which you could have chosen to handle these encounters.

You could have filed charges on the men who were 'harrassing' you about your tires, and taken out a restraining order against them.
You could have done the same to the little old man.
The law would back you completely.

You could have manipulated them into doing even more for you, monetarilly or otherwise. Perhaps through tears, or sweet talk.
These are all devices for women to use at their advantage over Men.

Due to the added total unaccountability of wetsernized women, everywhere, you could have done all of this, and many other creative and entertaining things to these Men, all with society's blessings.

Many westernized women would have in fact done just that, having been told their entire lives just how dangerous and stupid Men are, by a willing government, academia and press.

Instead you chose to behave as a woman should. You were moved by these Mens' actions, because frankly, and I'm sorry to say this, there were no women around to do the same for you. That would never happen. Your 'sisters' were nowhere to be found... Most of them would however, feel some slight satisfaction with your predicament, and in fact have a chuckle at your misfortune, before running off to gossip about it, with the rest of your 'sisters'. Sad but true.

That of course is my own opinion of your situation. In any event, these Mens' behavior should remind you of the differences between Male and female to begin with, and that no matter what the liars in the media tell you, you cannot ignore your own eyes...

Blessings

**

Boring!!

But it was funny in all fairness, without being downright nasty.

Yeah, I understand. But having people follow up on all I say is getting a bit much for me lately.

And it is getting boring. Thus my comment back.