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How to be a feminist without anyone knowing
Published: Thursday, February 28th, 2008
I'm not a feminist, but..." is a phrase I hear women at Princeton say quite often. Speaking here last week, author Courtney Martin encouraged her audience to break out of that mindset and embrace a new f-word: feminism. This ...(back to the article)
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This article seems to be written from the stance that only women can be feminists. Don't forget that a man can also be "someone who thinks that women deserve the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities as men."
I am out of college and an out-and-proud feminist, but I still appreciate your straightforward tips on what women can do to reduce the culture of contempt for our sex. (And yes, anonymous, men can, should, and do makee such efforts too.)
The only thing that gave me pause was the reference to Maureen Dowd. Although Dowd is undoubtedly intelligent and accomplished, she is not necessarily a friend to feminism. Her columns are routinely criticized in feminist blogs for their gender-based criticisms of Senator Clinton.
Ditto on Pendragon's Dowd comment.
An excellent column.
SOLID
Wow! I am as proud to call myself a feminist as I am to call myself a woman. Once I realized that what true feminism stood for, I knew it was a good word and didn't mind being called it. I think it's sad that some women don't want to use it themselves because it's been given a bad connotation by those who want to subjugate others. They don't get to define us!
I don't think you have to call yourself a feminist to be a feminist, but I think it's a problem that in our culture it would not a label one would gladly take. Feminism will not be universally embraced until there is no longer a need for the word.
Pardon the copious typos.
OK, Chloe. You've convinced me. I'm a feminist
Do feminist women not revere strong contributors to society who happen to be male, or is that part just taken for granted?
Chloe,
I agree with most of your article. But, I also think you make the broad and common generalization that only women are judged by appearance. I am a short male (under 5'6''). The whole idea that there is a "short-man" syndrome should make it clear that even men are evaluated based on this facet. In fact, I would argue that the physical standards by which men judge women are easier to reach than those by which women judge men. For example, if a woman wants to lose weight or apply more make-up (or whatever women do to make themselves attractive), they can with little expense. On the other hand, I don't know of any way to grow a few inches...surgery maybe? Somehow, it doesn't seem fair in the physical realm.
Another point is that, as long as men and women are judged by different standards socially, it will be hard for feminists to say that they deserve equal rights. For example, if a crazy guy came in a room and started ranting menacingly, I think more women could get away with screaming than men. Men are held to higher standards of courage (unfairly or not), and I think maybe that is something that you should address.
All in all, though, I do believe men and women should get equal rights. And, in this upcoming election, if Hillary were not running such an underhanded campaign (I think), I would feel sorry for the fact that she is criticized because she is a woman.
Best,
JSP