“One’s opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.”
With every passing day, BDSM — consensual violence — becomes both more intriguing and controversial. To those in the so-called mainstream, BDSM is simply an excuse for patriarchal oppression cloaking hatred of women in a media-friendly guise of ritualistic violence. Certainly the top-rated streaming television shows and some movies of recent times offer up plenty of female nudity, torture and rape, all in the name of artistic prose. There is certainly no excuse for the revelations brought forth by #Metoo, nor for the feeble defense offered by those in political and legal power. Yet, the abuse and exploitation of the weaker by the stronger is a story older than human civilization. Men have always been adversaries of women.
Or have they?
Are women fragile creatures in constant need of protection and guidance? Are men ravenous beasts always seeking another hole to plunder? Is BDSM all about male pleasure and cowering females?
Those are the wrong questions. The notion that everyone is identical with identical motivations and desires is bullshit. That doesn’t stop politicians and marketers [Is there a difference?] from exploiting the fears of the unwashed masses by goading them into turning on those not of their tribe. [Tribe being a loosely defined term based on all sorts of factors.] The freaks usually get the brunt of that anger.
Even within the BDSM community, tribal boundaries make uneasy bed-fellows of participants. While it’s true that BDSM may stand stalwart at the barricades against the thunderbolts cast by vanilla hysteria, the gulf between those that enjoy spanking as foreplay and those using knives as an erotic boost is as vast as religious wars. Hyperbole? We are all guilty at times of mocking those who choose a different lifestyle.
Our fetish is normal, those other people…? Yuck!
But what if we weren’t adversaries? What if we didn’t troll someone by sneering “You’re not doing it right” or “What do you mean you’ve never tried spanking?”. What if we sought to understand each other? What if instead of turning away from our differences, we made an effort to communicate and listen? Men and women don’t have to be adversaries, anymore than ethnicity should divide neighbors into ‘us’ and ‘them’.
D/s is a true partnership between equals who find things that both enjoy in a loving, respectful and most importantly, with honesty in a relationship with full knowledge, consent and trust.
Byron Cane
As eloquent and voracious as ever. Wonderful to see you writing on a topic you are so passionate about. Love the quote at the end. 🙂
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Thanks, Ina. I decided that my A-Z would explore all the negative words that are used to describe D/s.
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I think that’s an intriguing concept. I look forward to reading your A-Z; I know I’ll learn something from you. 🙂
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What if indeed, it’s a wonderful thought. I also agree about divides and judgement even within the so called BDSM community and have experienced it myself for not being poly. Perhaps people prefer the security of others ‘like them’ so they can feel a sense of belonging to a tribe of sorts, however such a rush to align can prevent the opportunity to understand, Great piece, and great quote too.
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Welcome to my blog, and thank you for commenting. The quote at the end is by my nom de plume, Byron Cane, that I use to publish my longer erotic spanking fiction. Poly is the hot button du jour. Simply an expanded tribe w/ benefits. 🙂
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Thanks for your welcome and for explaining your quote, and lovely to ‘meet’ you. I totally agree, I have felt quite the square peg being mono in certain company. I look forward to reading more from your blog 😊
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You’re welcome. I’ve been taking a break for the last three months. In case you are interested in the archives, I have a quick link here https://lurvspanking.com/various-and-sundry-writings-about-spanking/ which lists numerous posts I written that I like the best. I think all D/s people are squares in some fashion or the other.
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Super, thank you for that, and I think you’re right, although square is a great shape anyway ☺️
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Reading this has made my day. I love your writing and your passion and your insight. So good to have you back. Love missy xx
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Thanks, missy! Had my three-month sabbatical. I hope yours will be wonderful. Love you too. Oh… and (((((((hugs)))))).
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Thank you. ❤️
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