I am not a feminist and am insulted when others tell me I am or must be. That much should be obvious just from the title of this blog. What is not obvious is why.
I am for women's rights in all matters, including the right to an abortion, the right to fair wages, and the right to be placed in heavy combat situations if they so desire. I was raised on these ideas and do not doubt them.
Why, then, if I am pro-equality, do I take umbrage to the "f" word?
In linguistics we have what is called Connotation. For those who missed that lesson it refers to the way a word is used in everyday speech, as opposed to its Denotation, or the specific definition you would find in a dictionary.
Let's look at the connotations of the word "feminist." What do you think of when you hear it? This is my list, in the order of strongest image to weakest:
-Screaming at rallies
-Bra flags
-Images of women with guns and the caption of "Militant Feminist"
-Equality for women
-Liars
-Vagueness
-Bigotry
-Victory
I would like to discuss numbers four, six, and seven, since those are the only ones pertaining to this blog.
Four: Notable because equality, or my goal, is only number four. Why is that? Perhaps it's because the label has been so tainted that far from standing for the moral high ground, feminism has now been usurped by images of women making noise and accomplishing little. That is not to say that the movement is useless - only the word.
Six: The definition of feminism is vague at best. What does it mean, "to gain equality?" What if my idea of how to accomplish that differs from yours? What if you are anti-abortion? Can you still consider yourself a feminist? These very questions were posed in my Women's History class. My response: "Could I be pro-choice and not a feminist? Because I don't want to be associated with a word that gives recognition to those who don't deserve it." The definition of feminism is broad enough to encompass a great many views - that is the first reason I will not identify myself with it.
Seven: Bigotry? In an equality movement? Sure. The most overt victims are transfolk, who are bashed from all sides about "pretending," "buying into the patriarchy," "looking for privilege," or "enforcing the gender binary." I see this shit constantly from the very people who should be looking at us as allies. Other ignored or disliked groups include women of color or those from a lower socio-economic background. Obviously this does not apply to every feminist or even the majority - it is simply another example of the vagueness of feminism's connotation. I do not want to be associated with a movement in which the opinions of those that consider me less valid are as linguistically permissible as those who consider me an equal.
To sum things up, I despise the word but love the idea. To say that feminism has become polluted in the minds of the average American is an understatement. You need only look at the stereotype of unshaven lesbians to see that no one will listen as long as they can simultaneously believe that and laugh at it, drowning out all voices of reason in the process. I do not believe that a successful movement can be completed when that sort of negativity towards its label exists, and for that reason I will be looking for phrasing.
Please tell me if any part of this is unclear. I'm not out to confuse.
T.k.
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Do you think that by describing yourself as a feminist you could help to change the connotation?
Common sense is as rare as genius. ~Emerson
No, I do not. One teenager is not capable of changing the ingrained assumptions of generations. As a solution I would rather we create new words that work better in this situation. Which, unfortunately, I did not make clear in my original post. Sorry about that.
T.k.
You summarize that you despise the word, I assume here that you mean the applied connotation. It's the same oppressive mindset that came up with that connotation. You seem to have boughten into the implied semantics because you don't like the label or probably more to the point don't like being labeled. Labeling countermands the notion of equality. When instances of inequality are causes to stand up against, the oppressive always apply which ever negative connotation they can to those they are oppressing. They usually aren't real creative.
Your summarization continues but love the idea., like what Esuffern said, so bring your own to the cause and forget the label.
Restoring Faith In Humanity One Acquaintance At A Time
"Let's look at the connotations of the word "feminist." What do you think of when you hear it? "
-The Right to Vote
- Susan B. Anthony
-Alice Paul
- Birth Control
- Freedom
-Stars ( I can explain that, if anybody wants to know.)
Feminists for life-http://www.feministsforlife.org/
Elizabeth Cady Stanton on Abortion-"When we consider that woman are treated as property, it is degrading to women that we should Treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit."
Your list is much more impressive than mine. Actual feminists! It's nice to see someone who has a genuinely positive outlook, even if I myself don't. : )
T.k.
I used to call myself a feminist, too, but I can do so no longer. The more I've learned about the world and the way it works, I've come to see that what I believe and the changes I would like to help effectuate are not conveyed by the term "feminism."
That being said, so-called Third Wave Feminism is much more appealing than the overarching term "feminism," however, I'll still continue referring to myself as a Humanist above all else.
I've blogged about this myself, actually. If you care to read more --
http://www.progressiveu.org/235825-feminism-should-be-humanism
&
http://www.progressiveu.org/152457-not-another-feminist-rant-really
/jkh
"I'll still continue referring to myself as a Humanist above all else."
Not only does humanist imply working for the good of all, but it seems less... corrupted. Thank you for the term!
T.k.