"Feminist"
While surfing the internet yesterday I came across an article discussing
women and their role in a changing society. The article, which was written
by Karin Crosbie stated that although women have come a long way in the
field of women's rights, there is still a long way to go. Crosbie stated
that she is a feminist, and as a feminist it is her responsibility to see
that action is taken to further the cause of the women by any means necessary.
She explains that women should not have to prove anything to men by such
means as shaving their legs, nor conform by covering up the natural self
with makeup.
I agree with the overall concept she is trying to convey, I feel that women
do need to take action, and that not all opportunities are yet equal. The
problem I have with her article is the image that she and other contemporary
activists are coveying to the rest of society.
When I think of a feminist two pictures come into mind. The first, which
maybe a little outdated is a women like Susan B. Anthony, someone fighting
for real issues that matter. The second is of a women like the author above,
someone who is extreme just to be extreme. To my disappointment it seems
the later is becoming more prevalent within society.
After reading the article I scrolled down the page to where it listed "more
feminist links", the five that were given consisted of; three lesbian
rights pages, and two "neo-feminist pages". Thinking this must
be only a small percentage of feminist pages which were given by this specific
author, I went back and searched many of the feminist pages on the web myself.
To my unpleasant surprise it turned out that almost all were expressive
of the same extreme theme.
So what does the current view of feminists as a whole mean to society?
I feel that the current view of feminists is detrimental to the women's
movement. One reason is that I feel the current views expressed by Crosbie
are not only unattractive but in a way repulsive. Once women could be proud
to say they were feminists. Today it is some kind of extreme word that places
you amongst radicals. This image could turn away perspective activists who
would be major contributors to the movement. Another reason is that the
focus has become more on trivial extremities then on real issues. No one
cares if women shaves her legs or not, and although it might be some kind
of symbolic stand I feel it is a meaningless one. Not only are people now
embarrassed to be associated with the word, but it is losing its creditability.
It seems clear to me that the word feminist ought to represent women who
are trying to make real changes within the context of society for the common
good of all women - sincere women who dedicate their lives in tireless effort
to causes which make a difference in how people are treated - and not to
people who feel being extreme and getting attention are what matters most.
If we can do this, and reverse the trend which the word is now taking, we
will not only be doing a favor to the women's rights movement as a whole,
but will be correcting an injustice that has no place in such a noble cause.