A Feminisit is...?
I was rather vague on the actual definition of feminism before taking Intro to Women Studies 1001, and I must confess, three weeks into the class, I still am not as clear in my definition. I have done all the reading for class and listened to what my peers are contemplating during discussion and read their blogs and I still am struggling to define ‘feminism.’ I specifically remember growing up and hearing about radical women who burned their bras, supported the killing of innocent babies, hated men and God, because if you were a feminist, you were absolutely were anti-men and you were obviously an ugly lesbian that couldn’t get a man anyways, so no wonder you were a feminist. Growing up in a male-dominated family and culture I was told that a woman’s place was in the kitchen and if I did not know how to cook – my husband would throw me out of his house on my ass. I was taught that if I spoke up against a man or in a room filled with men, I was out of my place and being rude. I was treated more as a liability in that, one mistake and I could cost my beloved family it’s sterling reputation and my father’s good name would be shamed, my brothers on the other hand, could do whatever the hell they wanted and when I rebelled or asked why, sometimes crying with frustration, the unsatisfying and repeated answer I received was that when I had children I would understand; I would understand that girls are different than boys and only when I became a parent would all be apparent to me.
I didn’t give feminism much thought throughout high school, I was always more free-spirited and challenged traditions in my family, culture and environment, but was I really a true feminist? In high school I remember my AP Psychology teacher had a poster of that one muscled woman showing her ‘pipes’ and the comment bubble that said, “We can do it!� Ha. I always thought that poster was kind of funny, but simultaneously thought-provoking in an inspirational way. Looking at the poster every day in class sparked my interest and hunger the learn more about this strange word feminism and I pondered how it fit into my life. My first year as a young college student was filled with conversations on social justice and friends who declared themselves as “eco-feminists.� A close friend told me, “Bethany, you need to say exactly what type of feminist you are, otherwise, if you just say that you are a feminist, people will think you are a raging dyke.� The word feminist has definitely evolved over the years with the meaning bringing different pictures and words to mind ranging from a full fledged dyke to matronly activist; this is why I connected with the quote: “Has feminism changed our lives? Was it necessary? After thirty years of feminism, the world we inhabit barely resembles the world we were born into. And there’s still a lot left to do (Manifesta: A Day Without Feminism. Pg.6)� I recognize that after all the years of activism and fighting for equal rights there is still so much more work to do, I am just trying to figure out where to start and which battles to fight – the process seems daunting, but hey, if they did – then we can do it too!
I think feminism is how I define it and how it pertains to my life, obviously there will be a shared collective vocabulary and basic beliefs between ‘sisters,’ but what is a feminist? Someone who fights against systematic oppression, institutionalized racism, someone who is an ally to everyone regardless of race/ethnicity, sex/gender, ability, religion, age, sexual orientation, and class. Someone who educates her/himself on issues pertaining to these fields of social justice, someone who helps educate one’s peers about those issues, someone who believes in equal access, but realizes that in this present day society and world – not everyone has equal access, someone who lives her/his day fighting the small and large battles with family in a home, with peers in a residence hall, with colleagues in workplace, with strangers on campus, with her/his self. A feminist is all of these things. A feminist is me.
Comments
fuck feminism, its no better then being a nazi.
A feminazi would care more about a murdered baby girl then a murdered baby boy.
Its not the way forward. The way forward is to look out for both genders and make things "fair" not equal because equal isnt equal for everybody.
Posted by: Az | January 21, 2008 11:52 AM
feminism is about looking out for all people. everyone will benefit from equal rights and equal treatment for all. it takes all kinds to 'make the world go round,' and feminism is all about recognizing that everyone should be respected and able to do whatever it is they wish to in life, even if those dreams go against traditional gender roles. feminism needs both men and women in order to be truely successful. so to the person who said 'fuck feminism'--kindly remove your ignorant head from your ass and read a fucking book.
Posted by: miranda | January 20, 2009 10:13 PM