Theres been a lot of talk lately about feminism. Part of the problem that many people have is that they cannot separate the movement known as feminism from the area of critical, intellectual study that is feminism. So, what is feminism, the movement? I subscribe to the notion that femnism (as a movement), is all about the radical notion that women are, in fact, people too. (And it is in fact a radical notion, because of the past 2,000 years of religious and philosophical brainwashing that our culture has undergone that dares to not only speak to the contrary, but tries to rabidly defend it.) As an area of intellectual and critical study, feminism is not just about women, or gender, but about power structures and heirarchies (in general) that exist in our society, how they work, why, and what can (and should, or shouldnt) be done to change them. Feminism is not a religion, nor is it s a political position; it is a philosophical proposition that reads very similar to the canned response I quoted above. Another problem is that people dont understand that feminism has evolved over the years to mean different things in different cultural contexts. some of which no longer apply to either the movement or the area of critical study. In the early 1900s, feminism was all about women trying to be recognized for their accomplishments, and to be treated just as men were treated . . . but in the mid-twentieth century, that changed, and second-wave feminism emerged. In second-wave feminism, it became a political proposition, driven and enflamed by passion, and spurred on by rampant unfairness (the true depths of which were quickly being discovered at an alarming rate) and it was popular to act out in open rebellion (and even engage in civil disobedience) against what was perceived as a gendered system of social and political privilge, wherein masculinity was normalized and privileged (in the sense that Jacques Derrida would use the word), and where femininity -- and all that it entailed -- was marginalized. Hence, many second-wave feminists have declared that not only are women the equals of men, but are in fact their superiors. (This is arguable, at best; at worst, it commits the same sin as the gendered system that spawned it in all its reactionary glory in the first place.) Third-wave feminism, as I see it, is less about realizing the notion of equality, and less about reacting to inequality, and more about fulfilling the dream of *true* equality. (This, too, is arguable, of course, and no doubt there are feminist scholars in the audience who can correct me if Im wrong . . . I welcome your comments below.) The point is that feminism (and Feminism, the area of study) are, like the theory of evolution (or the theory of relativity, or the idea of Platos world of Forms), is a complex and highly nuanced intellectual minefield unto itself, *as well as* a societal movement that seeks not just to understand gender, but to correct the problems that the concept of gender introduces into society. It is not just a buzzword to be bandied about -- either in contempt or celebration -- but rather, it is part and parcel to that intellectual discipline knwon as Philosophy, and therefore, it deserves serious contemplation on many, many levels, as well as action on the social and political playing fields, as well. I am a straight, white male in his late thirties; however, I proudly call myself a feminist, because like I said, I believe that women are people too. And you can take that definition to the bank. Ignore the talking heads on Fox News, and stick your nose in a book once in a while. Who knows? You just might learn something new, people. Im no expert -- far from it -- but I *am* a scholar, and as such, it is my duty to point it out when someone -- or something -- is being fundamentally misrepresented on an intellectual level. See mens rights websites, and the aforementioned sink-hole where facts go to die, Fox News. See Bill OReilly and Rush Limbaugh. See 4chan. See Gamergate, and the [somewhat laborious] conversations it has started. Im not trying to sound like a know-it-all pain in the ass . . . but if people are going to discuss something, they might as well know what the hell it is theyre debating, and why it exists, and how it came to be. That is all. We now return you to our regularly scheduled broadcast of DAZ Studio renders, book publishing updates, and relentless sales-pitches to buy said books. Over and out.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 21:05:06 +0000
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