I don’t like to be labeled because with labels comes negative connotations. I like people to take my ideas as they are, without trying to force me into some group or category. So when I am asked if I am a feminist I am not quite sure how to answer that. What makes a feminist?
Ask some people and they’ll paint an image of an overzealous, bra burning, no leg shaving, “womyn”. Ask others and they might give you an image of an assertive woman who doesn’t subscribe to every patriarchal notion that this country is rooted in. But I think Rebecca West put it best when she said:
I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat, or a prostitute. - Rebecca West 1913
2 responses so far ↓
1 Tee // Aug 13, 2007 at 4:30 am
Damn, Rebecca West! Say it girl, that response was on point!
2 be // Aug 31, 2007 at 9:43 pm
well said, but do take into considerations that that it was said 1913. today, to focus on feminism alone is too limited. we need to target everybody and let compassion play a larger role in our lives. women, people of color, or from the gay community can only have so many legislations and endorsements in their favor. but that’s not where the problem is. the problem is not violence (vocal, physical, social) against women per se, but violence period.
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