Comments on: Don't say feminist.

By: anon

anon — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:00:05 +0000

Mrs. B,
I must admit that my above response was directed to the first of your posts. Not enough time to read through them all. I did, however, just now read over your later post clarifying mV’s misquotation of Limbaugh. While your correction still offers no justification for or elucidation of his use of the term”femininazi” (talk about hostility), I do better understand your position on the matter of abortion. I respect your pov, though I don’t often agree. Regardless, I do think what’s important is meaningful dialogue that will hopefully result in progress of some sort. That’s why we bother, right? We obviously all have our different perspectives and most likely won’t reach like-minded conclusions, but disagreeing and challenging each other (which can sometimes be perceived as hostile) are a part of critical thinking, no?
You mention maturity. I totally agree. It takes mature individuals to engage and effect positive change in the world as we know it. In my opinion, name-calling (i.e. “femininazis”) doesn’t indicate mature thinking, but rather quite irresponsible stereotyping.
Overall, I do hope you understand my posts (can’t speak for anyone else) as critical inquiries/engagements and not personal attacks. I appreciate your posts and perspectives and hope to read more.

By: anon

anon — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:09:15 +0000

This post, and several of the responses, are sadly misinformed in regards to the history, evolution, and various phases and factions of feminism (in my opinion, of course). mV, your ‘claimed’ definition of feminism is the essence of the feminist movement since its inception–nothing new. Feminism is not about man-hating (and the other adjectives … some of them just incredulously ridiculous), and it’s certainly not about working to oppress or suppress other groups, as the above commentator suggests. Ultimately, the goal was (and is) to secure equal opportunity, respect, and rights for women. Women, how is that scary?
Another important point to note: Not all women (and men for that matter) who identify as feminists or feminist allies are the same! Self-identified feminists disagree with each other, would you believe that?! There are problems with and within feminism, but ultimately, it was feminist-minded women and men who worked toward securing women’s right to vote (shall we recall, not too long ago), and it’s the same motivation that drives (oh no, here comes the scary word) contemporary Feminists to continue fighting against sexism–it’s evident, whether people choose to acknowledge it or not. (see domestic violence incidences, rape incidences, pay and hiring differentials, amongst other gender related discrepancies). It’s not about hating men; it’s about valuing all people equally (ideally, of course; as i mentioned, feminism has it’s problems in regards to forming it’s own exclusionary practices). Most well informed feminists understand and appreciate their male counterpart’s efforts toward eradicating sexism.
I won’t even comment on the religious component brought up by Mrs. B, b/c I don’t think I have enough time, space, or energy to get into it. All I can say to that is, as a woman who identifies as a feminist, I also identify as a Christian (not in alignment with mrs. b’s interpretation, but nonetheless). Isn’t there something in Scripture about throwing the stone? Who are any of we to judge any one else? Mrs. B’s (and Rush Limbaugh’s) sentiments: “women who put the right to murder their young through abortion over any other issue to be feminazis.” Strong opinion (and/or judgment), and entitled to it. Yet, one must wonder, how did you, or Limbaugh, become the authority on the matter? I anticipate the answer … “The Bible told me so…” Try centuries of translation and all that gets lost, or re-interpreted in the process.

By: Memphis Steve

Memphis Steve — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:02:07 +0000

If you demand equality, but only for females, then you are not demanding equality at all. You cannot demand equality without demanding equality for males as well. Otherwise, it is only sexism with a nice sounding label. This is only one of many reasons why people associate feminism with hate, with female supremacists who demand favoritism for women and sexism against males, with misandric bigotry, because it is for females only. Thus, it cannot and never will be about true equality.