I’m not a feminist, but…
Again and again people who espouse the values of feminism are heard to utter this proviso. But why?
If we can more our less agree that treating men and women equally and allowing them equal opportunity is a good thing then what’s the problem?
Furthermore, if we can more our less agree that it doesn’t happen as often as it should, then surely we must all be feminists?
Here’s some other things that feminists can be:
Sexy and straight.
Sexy and gay.
Waxed, plucked or shaved.
Mothers and fathers.
Wearing heels, tights and lacey bras.
Doing housework and looking after people.
Wearing pink or pole dancing.
Funny or blonde.
What they aren’t happy to be is:
Told what they can and can’t do on account of their gender.
Made to feel rubbish just because they are a woman… or a man.
Earn less than a man for the same job.
Accept stuff that simply isn’t right.
I’m a feminist, are you?
I find it so sad when women want to reject the feminist label.
If it wasn't for feminism we would not even have the right to vote.
Personally I feel we should show a little gratitude. I want to ask the nay sayers, what part of equality they don't feel is for them?
I find it frustrating that the label has so many negative connotations, and if women accept them too it really doesn't help.
The stupidest thing is that we are still having to have this debate at all. It's 2012, for goodness' sake, not 1312.
Totally agree. In issues of race and sexuality huge leaps have been made, but yet we're still here.
I am definitely a feminist and not afraid to say it, but it makes me sad and frustrated that judgements can be made against you because of it. I am a feminist but that doesn't mean I am frigid, no fun, man hating and without sense of humour.
Great post Ellen. I think I am fairly reluctant often to attach an ist to myself as if that defines who I am in its totality. But indeed there is still a huge need to promote the aspirations of feminism in our times. Huge strides may have been made but some huge challenges remain. Femageism being one of them. I think when you see attitudes to older women exposed it highlights that their have been campaigns won but the battle remains.
100% feminist.
I think somewhere along the way, the meaning has been misunderstood by a few people & they have gone on to reject it as a negative.
If you are a woman and you want to be treated equally, then you are a feminist.
That's just the point – you can be a funny, sexy feminist. In fact, most are.
Femagism is an excellent term. In fact, perhaps that's the greater part of feminism because a lot of the unfairnesses don't become apparent until one is a bit older.
In a nutshell, yes.
Yes, I'm defo a feminist, just not extreme in my views though.
I don't think there's anything extreme about equality.
I have to say I'm a feminist and trying to grow my boys that way too. x
I am unashamedly feminist. Becoming a mother has made me embrace it even more. I want my daughter to know her worth and to be equally valued in the world she grows up in.
Thing I was thinking when we were at Cybher is that I don't wanna call myself a feminist any more. I want the other twats who think that women don't deserve equal rights to call *themselves* something different to the rest of society.
Can we move on to that? If not now, when?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS37SNYjg8w
I'm wear my feminist identity proudly and loudly! Feminists can be any size, colour, shape, style or sex and the more people come to realize that the better it is 🙂
I wrote a post about the term 'feminist' from my perspective. I think the problem for me is how confused the situation has become. I am not sure if this is because of a few labelling things incorrectly and creating a bad vibe, or because it's easy for people to hide behind labels.
Generally, like the discussions around the term 'mummy bloggers' I think your point about being so much more is so relevant.
I didn't know I was a feminist until I read it put like that, thank you.
bring the feminist mother of sons is a huge topic one to which I will return.
I wonder if the feminist parenting of girls is more difficult than boys.
Excellent idea. Reclaim the sexist tag.
Absolutely.
Interesting. Good discussion needed about the helpfulness of labels.
It would be fantastic to work on an assumption of equality but sadly we don't have that everywhere.
: )