When referring to/promoting a television or radio program that features several or all women panellists, most of whom are noted for having 'strong' personalities, it is completely acceptable for the male anchor to say a sentence that ends 'and the fur really does fly!' This is what I call 'casual sexism.' The anchor may be prima facie unaware of his sexism, as is the majority of the audience may be. It is 'just a thing to say' in a situation like that and 'nothing is meant by it.' The anchor, if questioned, would likely state that he 'had no idea' it was offensive and doesn't think women should be demeaned like that (even if he really does, on some or all levels). He 'didn't mean to insinuate it was a cat-fight' or that it is 'amusing' when women debate issues passionately.
We all see this kind of bullshit every day. It's maddening and I have decided that I'm not going to shut up about it just because I don't know how to make it stop. My wife, who knows her shit, tells me that the best thing a man can do for Feminism is to be a positive role model for other men. And as much as I hate other men, her point is well made. It's time to speak up, and not just contribute, but dominate these kinds of discussions when confronted with the kind of typical ignorant bullshit that I have to put up with all the time. This is my first post. I just joined up after years of frustration and wandering and feeling hopeless about all of this. Things have changed and I don't feel that way anymore. I won't be this personal in future posts; I didn't intend this one to be. It kind of got away from me. First post, y'all. I'll figure this out.