I entirely agree that promoting actual discourse is much more valuable than simply stoking the pain of the base for a buck. I’d not thought of Jessica Valenti (or others like her) that way in the past, in part because she puts words to some of my pain, but now that you’ve pointed it out, I am beginning to be more critical of the true utility of such pieces.

And this is what actual conversations can provide — sharing of ideas and perspectives in a way that makes room for greater understanding, which is the birthplace of real change. Thanks!