And cats are considered to be feminine. Feline, feminine, one words causes us to recall the other.

Plus it is practical and warm to wear a knit hat in the winter.

Thus, pussy hats.

If some want to dwell on other connotations or meanings, that's their choice.

my take, Sophia. I was so annoyed when I started seeing these articles pop up. I mentioned it to my daughter-in-law and she was ticked as well. It was my son who suggested tracking down the writer of the original piece--this Emily Zanotti. And sure enough I found her right-right wing footprint.

Think it's an example of how these 'controversies' get started and then morph into huge arguments. Between ourselves. I intend to keep watching the headlines, see if they manage to push this meme into larger venues.

faded naturally to pink of course. So equally of course, pink was considered a masculine color, or at least different hues of it appropriate for both sexes. They certainly weren't throwing away clothes every season in those centuries.

As for the rest, recognize that most of this is coming from enemies of women's unification, but nevertheless mark what should be noted in the various stands, respect the right to have opinions, accept that we all will have opinions, and refuse divisiveness and strife?

Which is why they will fan the flames of divisiveness under the guise of calling out biased behavior.

To be clear, as a person of mixed heritage..."nude" "flesh" colored things do not match my skin tone or flesh. It is a valid argument women of color (anyone of color) that makeup, fashion, etc industries don't make assumptions that everyone is light/white. Also that being a woman is more than having certain body parts (vagina, uterus, breasts) and we should strive to make sure our language and behavior errs on the side of inclusivity.

But here is what I have noticed...many people of privilege (white, cis, hetero, male) are trying their damn best. But the word privilege has been used to attack (rather than explain and educate)as a weapon so people trying to do their best get defensive. This is great for opposition...accuse a bunch of well meaning people of being privileged and discriminatory and sit back to watch them get all bent out of shape trying to defend, explain and justify their behavior.

Again, I'm not saying these aren't all important discussions to have...but too often the people who have been screaming "this movement excludes people of x, y or z" are not doing it to have an honest conversation about how we can acknowledge and respect each other's differences. No they are doing it with the explicit purpose of disrupting and destroying any attempts at coming together.

twisted in attempts to turn them into weapons to use against us. Nothing is more dangerous to the right than the reality of a hugely diverse America gathered together in our big Democratic tent. But as you say, the vast majority of us accept our very diverse range of viewpoints and are trying.

We just have to smarten up a bit more, solidify our pride in our purpose.

There are some few who really only can care about one highly personalized point of view and see enemies in anyone who is not committed to it. But even if some are especially vulnerable to misdirection of their passion, the rest of us should be able to muster the discipline to keep our eyes on our many prizes.

I try hard to listen to the third wave folks, but it's hard. I'm a second wave kind of a woman.

I know that ideas about gender will evolve - and by the time my daughter is my age things will be different. I try to listen and learn.

Some feminists have a harder time with it (I think Germaine Greer is a good example of the 'firestorm' that brews between the generations.

I know my daughter-in-law is all into intersectional feminism. But this line of attack turned even her off because we marched together in DC. She saw what I saw, heard what I heard. And was equally awed by the experience.

...divide us. Don't let them do it. Don't give them any credence at all.

I think the pussycat hats are cute and sassy. However, I live where I need a broad brimmed hat, so I simply wear my pink one as the occasion demands to show solidarity.

it's kind of an interesting attack. Sort of smart - in a way - and sort of deliberately tapping into issues that do poke at that 2nd/3rd wave 'discussion' (I'm saying that rather than divide .

I didn't make a pussyhat (I look terrible in pink!) - though I am a knitter and did buy the yarn (I was going to make it for my daughter, but didn't get around to it - we were actually in a hotel right in DC the day of the march....moving. I had the black lab, the cat, and my daughter right near the whole thing. I wish we had been able to go. But alas, it was impossible.

Some of what they say sounds so reasonable. Third Wave Feminism? Suuuure.

Don't get played. Don't let them frame the discussion.

though you are right, that it's different from what you are talking about

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/nov/18/transgender-activists-protest-germaine-greer-lecture-cardiff-university

with different colored pussyhats. Not sure that many women would though I still don't see how the color pink is so objectionable, nor do I believe that the color represents only white women. The color represents women, all of us. Now, for you as someone who has had breast cancer? Yes, I can absolutely understand the color itself conjures up less than warm, fuzzy feelings. Cancer is dreadful. I've been lucky myself but my family members have not been so fortunate.

As for getting the TERF idea screwed up. That's absolutely possible because I'll confess until yesterday I'd never heard the term. Or the objections. I read it in an article, did a little searching but could have easily turned it topsy-turvy.

In any case, the 2018 March is on and the Pussyhats are still in business.

5 Times Crayola Fired Their Crayons
. . .

And I've made them in more than just pink. I've made rainbow ones for LGBT issues, green ones for environmental issues, among others.

in the same way that "Flesh" as a color was offensive, even though it was nowhere near the color of the skin of white people.

The originators of the hat have clearly said that part of the symbolism of the hat is to represent vaginas. Pink vaginas are more likely to belong to white women than to women of color.

I am less concerned about the color of the hat, however, than I am about responses that dismiss feelings of exclusion expressed by transwomen and women of color - rather than inviting further conversations about whether there is a way to acknowledge the concerns and to make the message more inclusive (different colors; expressly focusing on the message as a counter to Trump's express comments about grabbing women by the pussy). I don't know if there is a way to make the messaging inclusive enough - but that ought to be the direction of conversations (rather than dismissing the concerns).

hats- it seems bizarre to me to dismiss it out of hand. Really pretty pointless and like you are making a divisive choice instead of choosing solidarity.

not something I expected to do this morning, but yup, I wouldn't call those I saw pink.

Frankly, symbols always carry the danger that they'll distract people to them and away from principle. Or perhaps these days of mass communications we should say "promise to."

As for "pussy hats," the idea of hats representing vaginas (of any color or material) was distasteful to me, undignified, and distracting from all the vast realities of women's lives.

Above all, I think it whiffed strongly of zealotry, and when zealots get hold of a movement, they usually manage to derail it, and even delegitimize it in the minds of the larger public. A danger that must be avoided in order to succeed.

(according to the color psychologists) and is often associated with femininity -- but guys were welcome to wear it.

I gave one to a gay, black, male who was thrilled to receive it. He never thought it meant he had to have a vagina.

I especially liked the pink because it was so striking -- and so unifying -- in the photos. I had never seen a protest march that looked like that. It seemed like an inspired choice to me, at the time.

Gay males, regardless of race, are not the women who feel excluded when people symbolize women with a vagina.

This is not the first idea that has seemed inspired at the time, that ultimately turned out to exclude historically marginalized people.

traditionally associated with femininity, exclude them? If there were two bathroom doors, a pink one and a blue one, wouldn't they go through the pink door?

I didn't know anyone who thought we were wearing vulva replicas on our heads. We were wearing girly pink hats with cat ears, in a pun on the word pussy (a nickname that, like "beaver," suggested hairiness and softness -- not a particular tissue color or size).

Pink is for girls and blue is for boys, in the traditional usage. It was a women's march so we wore girly pink. Nothing to do with the color or even the existence of vulvas.

I'm a man, and I have a pussy hat. I got it from crazycatlady here on DU. It did not come with a warning label not to wear it if I possessed a penis or had a skin tone any darker than parchment. That sort of BS misses the point entirely, and it should be completely obvious to anyone with any sense that such "resentment" of the movement emanates from soulless RW idiots.

Yeah, tend to agree--it misses the larger point. My main concern was who was trying to stir this story, where was it coming from? What it proves to me is the RW will do anything to rain our parade and sow divisiveness wherever they can. Because . . .

November 2018!

Not that I didn't know that already but this sort of thing is churning out there and should be shut down before it morphs. I suspect the storyline is designed to have us arguing with one another and diminish the energy.

They are trying to create division because the movement is powerful and threatens them. They are afraid!

The pink was popular enough to take over, so, it rang true for many. I have a regular pink ski hat and scarf and gloves and huge pink poster. If men in nyc can wear pink, there's no problem.

Just take to the streets. Time's up.

I mailed him one and he called to say he was thrilled -- and had already worn it to a bar.

I can't remember who got which one at this point, but if my memory serves me right, my dad now has an identical one and will march next week with me in it.

We missed last year, but we are going to Asheville, NC for this years march. We will be there Friday and Saturday and I will wear my hat all weekend. I wore it off and on all last winter and got a lot of smiles, winks, nods, and thumbs up.

I can't make it to DC this year either. But Hat Will Travel to my local march.

Have fun!

I don't do FB but realize that many people get their information/opinions from these FB discussions.

saying that if it was alienating some, they should stop.
I was one of the few of the opinion that it's impossible for everyone to agree on everything, and that people needed to stop trying to micromanage symbolism and get back to focusing on the big picture. People found great personal power in the making and wearing of those hats, and I see no reason to push them to stop using them.

It's a hat made of pink yarn with pointy ears. If it has meaning for you, wear it, if it doesn't, don't...

of the sea of pink was incredibly moving; and I wouldn't be surprised if even the police reacted differently, when faced with all that pink.

The symbolism was meaningful, and the way it made people feel - made it even more powerful.

I knew how to knit in the past but I never realized how stress relieving it actually is. Pussyhats are my way of staying sane in the Trump administration.

Not only is it keeping busy making something useful, but it has a wonderful meaning too!

"Now you're all set for Saturday. Can't wait to march along with my beautiful strong mama. Love ya-- [name withheld]"

I like bringing families together instead of tearing them apart.

Trying to gather others to join us.

Some people fear counter protests.

But this year it's just not a happening thing. You'll have to let us all know how it went, what you saw and heard.

Have a blast!

march. It was electric.

And people were ALL incredible polite to each other. In that massive crowd, not one arrest.

If you want to wear a pussy hat and it makes you feel empowered, wear one. If you don't like it, don't wear one. This whole idea of telling other people the "appropriate" way to resist only helps tamp down the excitement and motivation. Resist however you need to. The important thing is to resist.

On a side note, hubby and I were at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland last May and saw a woman in a pussy hat. I immediately said, "I LOVE your hat!" She smiled and said thanks. For me, it was a nice little reminder that there are many of us out there and we're not alone.

Colorado Blue said:

"Resist however you need to. The important thing is to resist."

x1000!

There's no Official Pussyhat(TM) Factory. It really is a grass-roots effort.

Says the cat!!

Great looking cat, btw.

That’s why, IMO, they use the cat ear pattern.

I made mine out of fleece and used the colors available at the time, which for mine were hot pink and kind of a mid pink/white marbled pattern. I never thought the colors matched anyone’s lady parts!

You get the idea of the cat, cat ears (feline), a turn on the Trumpster's crass statement--grab 'em by the pussy, the sense of solidarity with everyone around you, and the hats are cute; they make you feel happy, brave wearing them. I don't knit, so I bought mine. Hot pink.

Can't tell you how astounding it was (for me at least) to look around last year and see an endless sea of bobbing hats. And everyone chanting, laughing, marching as one.

Remarkable. I was involved in a few marches as a kid. But this one was different.

The protest looked different, and felt different. Some of the men who attended said they had never been to a protest that felt that peaceful before, and I think the sea of pink had something to do with that.

Hadn't considered that angle. But for the size of the march, the sheer number of protestors, the totally peaceful nature of the day was extraordinary. There were even people standing with signs giving out free hugs at the end of the march.

Just a very good day all around.

last fall. One of the scheduled breakout sessions was something along the lines of "Not All Pussys are Pink". and why the whole pink pussy hat thing offended women of color and transgender women. I signed up for it to be out of my comfort zone and to see what it was all about. The panel was 3 trans women, 2 were delightful and open to discussing the issue of feeling left out of the movement. One was very hostile, blaming white women, saying the movement needs a trans woman on every panel, and generally not engaging the attendees. I understand that trans women need a place at the table, but her approach and hostility will not make it happen.http://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a13114228/raquel-willis-womens-convention-transgender-inclusivity/

This whole argument seems asinine to me.

There was no reason for trans women to feel left out because of the pinkness. I mailed a pink pussyhat to a gay, black, male friend of mine because he was complaining he couldn't find one. If he didn't feel excluded by those hats, why should anyone?

Vaginas ARE pink. The hollow muscular tube is lined with a mucous membrane, much like the inside of the nose, the mouth, or the inside of the eyelids. In my 40 years as a nurse practitioner, every mucous membrane I have ever looked at, no matter where it is, was pink.

The perineum, or vulva, the external structures, will be the same color as the rest of the skin.

are a color that we call pink.

I don't know anyone who thought she was wearing either a vulva or vagina hat, though. We were wearing pink caps with pussycat ears. Pink because that's the traditional color associated with women, and cat ears for "pussies."

...terminology. It bugs me when the word vagina is used for anything and everything "down there." I think it was one of the Harvey Weinstein victims who stated that, "He touched my vagina through my underwear." That would be next to impossible without actual manual penetration.

Not excusing him, at all. Just wanting things to be properly stated, especially if there are legal hearings or court appearances. I can just see some slimy defense attorney twisting words enough to make it seem like a woman wasn't telling the truth - "So, Miss X, Mr. Weinstein didn't actually insert his finger into your vagina, he only touched your labia. What else are you lying about?"

And I don't understand why that mis-usage is so common.

Or why anyone would think that the term "pussy" referred to the most internal parts. In the natural state, the adult pelvis is covered with hair, like other mammals are covered with hair. So people used furry nicknames for that area. The term has nothing to do with soft tissue -- it's about hair.

About an African American little girl in her class.

I was watching a video of Jane Elliot's blue eye brown eye experiment (with adults), and one of the blue eyed women (a middle school teacher) was talking to another blue eyed woman about how she was surprised when this little AA girl in her class fell and skinned her knee, and the flesh was pink underneath. This wasn't a script, this woman wasn't acting, this was a educated woman in charge of teaching children! She admitted she didn't know what color she was expecting to see...she was just surprised the flesh was pink ("like you or me&quot .

Just like I am appalled that people have assumptions that all women are the same, all of our bits and parts must look and operate the same, I am just as shocked at the crazy theories that people have regarding people who have a different skin color. (Another example being the study of a group of medical students who honestly didn't think African Americans felt pain..or at least not as much as white people).

Sorry off topic, just the part about all mucous membranes being pink, reminded me of that stupid woman being surprised.

This isn't real, right?

might be on the right. Fox news, Breitbart, etc. are carrying most of the stories.