A clear definition?
It is hard for me to say what I thought feminism was before reading bell hooks and the other articles. Growing up, my best friends (and often only friends) were typically females. I was never aware of any differences or roles society had placed on females and males. As I got older, I learned about some of the injustices females have faced and still face today. So I guess feminism to me has always been the challenge of questioning and destroying ideas society has placed on us that would bring females down.
Now that I have read some literature dealing with feminism, I can now put into words the way I have always lived. I think bell hooks states it best for me in the first line of her book, “Simply put, feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.� (hooks pg. 1) By no means do I think this is the only definition that can be given to feminism, however; I do think it is a good goal. I think feminism has many forms and is changing constantly as our society changes. I have to agree with the post by KIS, feminism is a little different from when it started. This is why I think it is important that people (like me) take courses like this one. To learn how the movement is evolving and what it is evolving into.
It isn’t good enough for me to just practice feminism in my own life. I need to be an example and a teacher for people who aren’t feminists. Having a clear definition for feminism is a good place to start; it will allow me to put my thoughts and beliefs into words for other people. I still have a lot to learn, and I am excited for future readings and theories in this course to help me develop my thoughts and beliefs.
Comments
Wow it's funny you mentioned me in your post because I was just reading what you wrote, thinking how much I agree with you, then there was my name. Anyway, I am in the same boat you are in that when I started the class I really didn't know what feminism was. I agree that I am very grateful that we are reading things to help my definition of feminism form. I think that by the end of the class, we will have a great idea of what feminism is!
Posted by: KIS | January 28, 2007 5:46 PM
I'm somewhat confused by your statement that you "need to be an example and a teacher for people who aren’t feminists". It sounds much like a discipling of sorts. I'm sure you didn't mean it this way and its awesome to think of yourself as a means to spread feminism. Sometimes, I wish I could wake up in the morning and be confident like that, but mostly I just get asked dumb questions and told what I think. Many kudos to you.
Posted by: Jessica Englund | January 28, 2007 6:47 PM
Referencing Jessica's point, it is in my opinion that feminism, or anything, is only spread through talking with people and gettin' the word out. I don't know how else a movement could happen, or how minds could be changed. I guess I'm really just confused as to how one does not think of themselves as an instrument to permeate knowledge.
Posted by: Stephanie Taylor | January 28, 2007 7:23 PM