Feminism: The Transformation of a Definition
Honestly, I did not know many specifics about feminism before this course. I was not sheltered, though. I knew that Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized the first women’s rights convention. I knew that feminists nation-wide were and still are fighting for equality in the workplace, home, and society. In high school, I had a few friends who were feminists, so I knew that with the exception of some radicals, most feminists were not man-hating lesbians. My friends were in the top ten percent at one of the best high schools in the country, and from my experiences with them I learned that many (if not most) feminists are well-educated and are well-aware of current events and what is going on in the country that affects them and their cause. I enrolled in this course because my previous knowledge of feminism intrigued me to want to learn more about it. Before this course I would have defined feminism as a political and social movement directed towards the advancement of women in all aspects of life.
After the several readings about feminism, I am able to add to my previous definition. I know that feminism is not about making women better than men, but it is about making women equal to men. I learned that the movement is geared toward abolishing sexism, as that is the root cause of the inequalities and adversities women face. I am delightfully surprised that feminism advocates not only women but other cultural and ethnic minorities, the GLBTQQ community, and children. I think it is an admirable undertaking that ultimately leads to greater solidarity concerning the fight for equality.
I feel constantly privileged that I was born in the era I was for many reasons. For example, I am very athletic, and I played varsity volleyball for 2 years in high school. According to “A Day Without Feminism” in Manifesta, had I been born in the early 60’s, I would have been denied the pleasure I got from actively participating a sport that I love (4). Also, in that same article, it was brought to my attention that women in the past were basically unable to do much of anything without being married to a man (7). This makes me particularly angry because I consider myself a very independent person, and if being married to a man was the only way for me to live comfortably, I don’t think I would be very happy. I would want to be married because it was what I wanted to do, not what I needed to do.
Overall, I am excited to continue learning about the feminist movement and the many strides it has gained over the years.