Comments on: Why We're Feminists

By: valerie Hussey

valerie Hussey — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 18:56:00 +0000

Harriet,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I don’t like being scolded, and don’t respond well to it, so appreciate your hesitation if that’s what you heard. I was attempting to frame my own thinking in the context of four unrelated but relevant articles. The whole process, however, has me thinking more deeply and writing as well. I agree with your suggestion that being curious and asking questions is the best way to learn and understand others perspective. I’m doing that and if further pieces are picked up by Liisbeth, there will be more opportunity for exchange. Stay tuned.

By: Harriet

Harriet — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:29:14 +0000

Just as we have seen recently with Gloria Steinem and Madeline Albright scolding women for backing Bernie Sanders, the author of this article seems to take a scolding tone towards women not identifying as feminist. Scolding adults does not work to further a cause. Perhaps looking more deeply into why the banner of feminism has stopped working for so many as an identification is needed here. Listen and ask. Ask why, as the editor noted, do some women have the idea that feminism means excluding their sons and husbands. Could it be a sense or idea of exclusion has been identified and which is being turned away from, and how did this arise? To ask why women are moving towards identifying as Humanist (or are searching for a more far reaching banner) seems key here. What is it that women are gravitating to that feminism doesn’t (seem to) address?
“And for women who say they’re humanists but not feminists (they’re not mutually exclusive), it’s not an adequate response because humanism doesn’t address political and economic equality.”
Women who identify as Humanist are not just sitting around disengaged from political and economic equality for women, nor are we giving up the fight for any of the values that are considered feminist. Women I know who have shrugged off feminism for humanism are taking action in Human Rights, Equal Rights, are Food activists, Eco Warriors, are advocates for the ill and aging, are working to de-stigmatize those living with mental health issues and on and on. There are so many and there is so much to advocate for why isn’t it understandable that people are searching for term that casts a wider net or disengage from identity politics altogether?.
I would like to point out that Ms. Clinton is not being criticized for being status quo she is criticized for being in the pockets of Wall St., otherwise known as the 1 percenter’s, who are her biggest backers. It is precisely economic rights that the women backing Mr. Sanders are supporting. There should be no surprise that younger women Democrats are cautious about Ms. Clinton’s ties. Sanders appeals to many women because he is clearly and unequivocally speaking out about changing the systems that perpetuate economic (and other forms of) oppression. What Sanders and his supportersr’s have woken up the Democratic party back to some long lost left-leaning issues.

By: aMY kOPELAN

aMY kOPELAN — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 20:38:27 +0000

Thanks for your very compelling article. A few weeks ago i attended an “era” event where some of the very well-known feminists and activists we’ve come to know and applaud were speaking about new legislation, and it fascinated me that as a group they kept to themselves, like protected celebrities, as opposed to mingling, embracing and warming the hearts and souls of younger, yet-to-decide, women leaders in the room. Like it or not, the word “feminism” still carries a lot of mixed messages, and it’s not as clear and simple as the dictionary definition mentioned above. If the old guard feminists want to engage and stir a new generation of advocates and believers, then it’s smart to make feminism relevant to young women leaders today, and not ask that they submit to previous notions and images of feminism. I’m more of a feminist today than i ever was, but it’s because i define it with the power of my voice and influence, not with a definition or a “bra burning” alliance from the past.

By: Beatrix Dart

Beatrix Dart — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 20:57:27 +0000

Thank you for bringing this topic to all of our attention. I believe that the perception of the word Feminist has lots of negative connotation with it (not necessarily justified). It seems to imply polarization, men vs. women, instead of inclusion. it might be the mental image of protest rallies, anger, and fights. I think the question is how do we change that perception? how do we come back to the roots of feminism? Public debate might be useful, and having powerful leaders declaring themselves as Feminists will go a long way.