(an older outfit during warmer weather)
So far, I've read such great entries from other bloggers about what feminism means to them. I don't know how much I have to add to this discussion, but I will say something that I've been thinking about for a long time. I understand myself as a feminist, and I believe this can mean a diversity of things. I don't, however, believe that "feminism means choice," which is something I read in discussions at Jezebel or other feminist-themed websites. On the contrary, capitalism provides us with "freedom of choice." Feminism, however, seeks to investigate and deconstruct our choices-whether they concern our style, our life styles, our politics, our words, and our beliefs. While I agree that we all have the right to our opinions, choices, and other individual expressions, feminism has taught me to recognize that some choices are privileged and some are not. Some choices reflect the dominant norms and result in social benefits, while some result in social sanction. To paraphrase George Orwell, all choices are equal, but some choices are more equal than others. While my age has taught me to have compassion and empathy (and to try not to judge) a broad range of women's life choices, I continue to shudder when marketers attempt to couch consumption choices as feminist "freedom of choice." So for me, feminism is as much about the limitations and oppressions of capitalism as patriarchy on our lives.
Being a feminist also means that I am critical about how the powerful seek to undermine the less powerful. As I, and other members of Style Nation, keep an eye on Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana, I want to stress how attacks on public employees are gendered. The overwhelming majority are public servants are women, with a strong representation of women of color. Most public school teachers, health care workers, and social service workers are women. "Balancing the budgets" on the backs of women, as a means to create tax breaks for corporations, is dirty, disgusting and shameful. Harming their livelihood is one thing, but legislating away their voice and right to participate in creating the terms of their own employment, a universal human right, is a downright disgrace.
I see myself as a feminist. I have been married, I have 3 children, I am in a happy 22 year hetero relationship with a 25 years younger man. I am retired. I work to make my relationship work and to make him happy. Because I choose to do so. During my marriage duty was the byword and that meant my duty as a woman/wife/mother. Not I do what I please with my money, my time, and my dreams. My sig other would love to be controlling but he has never been like the hubs was. We decide what to do together. Sometimes I am right, and once in a long while he is.
ReplyDeleteAs far as women's rights go I don't know why women expect to surpass blacks and other races in stepping toward equality. As long as men had to set down roots as law givers, they are very entrenched. A total uproot will not happen and probably shouldn't. But even by taking baby steps the underdog gets there. I wish it were a smoother quicker process. I am a feminist because I believe in the total ability of women to make a better world.
I like your dress, Rad.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying reading everyone's thoughts on feminism. Style Nation has so many bright, thoughtful men and women.
ReplyDeleteRock on, Rad. As tempting as it is to conflate feminism with choice, I agree that it's not that simple.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more! I have always felt really uncomfortable with the idea that Sex and the City women channel their inner feminism into buying Manolos. I am still trying to get my head around writing a feminism-post of my own...
ReplyDeleteLove the dress, by the way.
Thank you for such a wonderful post and submission, Rad. Many of my friends in Ohio will be protesting and demonstrating this weekend, and I will be with them in spirit.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic. And so absolutely right.
ReplyDeleteThat dress is awesome.
Interesting thoughts, Rad. I wish I could remember the tacky commercials that were out a few years back that offered "freedom of choice," as if to appeal to feminists.
ReplyDeleteAlso, great belting on that dress.
Beautifully written, Rad.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that the oversimplification of feminism to choice is intensely problematic. Choices cannot be divorced from the contexts in which they occur.
Excellent belt, sassy-as-hell socks.
Great post Rad - feminism is so much more than choice, and the oversimplication often makes me uncomfortable. I also appreciate your point about public servants and gendered attacks. I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you look awesome in your socks and peep toes!
I have yet to do my What a Feminist Looks Like post...in part because the more I think about it, the more complicated it becomes. Your second paragraph hit the nail on the head...it seems to me that our greatest challenge at the moment has to do with economic class.
ReplyDeleteI'm so lucky I met you in my early 20s. you're a real for a role model of what a feminist thinks like... what solidarity means... Mermaid Avenue... general rad-ness... and many other things I shouldn't mention in a public forum.
ReplyDeleteRad, I think this is the best articulation I've read in a long time: "capitalism provides us with "freedom of choice." Feminism, however, seeks to investigate and deconstruct our choices-whether they concern our style, our life styles, our politics, our words, and our beliefs."
ReplyDeleteAnd it's going to stick with me.
Yes, exactly re: choice. This is by far my largest issue with Jezebel, since so many of the commenters and contributors pretend that patriarchy goes away if we ignore it hard enough.
ReplyDeleteWell said, lady!! 90% of the teachers I know are women. Great outfit, too. I love the knee high socks!!
ReplyDeleteWell said, lady!! 90% of the teachers I know are women. Great outfit, too. I love the knee high socks!!
ReplyDeleteRock on, Rad. As tempting as it is to conflate feminism with choice, I agree that it's not that simple.
ReplyDelete