What is Feminism?
Before taking this course, I didn’t know much about feminism. I had learned about the fight that feminists experienced in the 1900’s for equality among men with regards to suffrage, equal opportunity in the workforce, and reproductive rights. Prior to taking this course, my definition of a feminist would have been the group of women seeking to end female stereotypes, wanting to be given free will to do whatever they choose with their own lives and bodies, and working to achieve full equality with the male population. I was unaware that feminists stood up for equality among other genders as well, homosexuals and transgender people. I was also unaware of the stereotype surrounding feminism. Personally, I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that all feminists are man-hating lesbians just because a group of women are choosing to stand up for themselves and are not allowing sexual harassment and other forms of gender oppression to govern their lives.
Now, I would define feminism in the same way as before but include what I have learned about other forms of gender oppression. One thing that has surprised me the most in my course readings is that some of the harshest critics of the feminist movement are women themselves! These so-called critics should consider what life was like for women before the feminist movement reached its peak. Young girls in the 1960s didn’t play sports; they were cheerleaders. They didn’t go to co-educational colleges; they went to “girls’ schools” where they became teachers and secretaries (Manifesta 4-7). One of the major turning points in women’s history was the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Feminist women at the time began their quest for women’s suffrage rights through peaceful protest. Their peaceful attempts ended with being thrown into prison (Suffragist City 60).
After being in this class for only a week, I feel blessed to live right now, today, instead of at a time when women didn’t have even the most basic of rights. Yes, feminism has and will continue to have its ups and downs, times when the country is passionate about its causes and times when people feel the feminist mission is unnecessary (Tidal Wave 1-2). Still, I feel confident that feminism will always be around, fighting to end gender oppression on all accounts.
Comments
Just like you, I didn't really know a lot about feminism when I started taking this course. I have learned a lot in just this one week and it sounds like you have too! I feel the same way and I can't believe that women are some of the main critics of the feminist movement. Especially when middle-aged women are the ones who have lived through all the changes that have occured. I agree with you in that I am much more thankful to be living today than living in the 1970's. It would have been very hard to have grown up back then and being denied so many things.
Posted by: KIS | January 28, 2007 05:56 PM
I agree with both of you! I also didn't know a lot about feminism or feminists and I find it kind of disturbing that any women can be against what it stands for. There may be certain aspects that some women don't agree with completely, but they shouldn't be the ones speaking out against it. The good that feminism has brought has affected all women and for the better. Even if some women don't agree they should not condemn those women brave enough to fight for rights and to make this a better place for ALL people, especially those that have been oppressed.
Posted by: Desiree Guida | January 28, 2007 10:30 PM