When I agreed to write up a page about what feminism means, I didn't think much
about the assignment. Now, on the eve before this must go to press, I still have no idea how to define
feminism. The problem is that no two people have ever agreed on a definition. There is still a
lingering image of an angry, bra-less, militant woman whaining herself to a large building. (I would
like to point out that I personally get a huge kick out of angry, bra-less, militant women, among
others, but I realize they scare and/or anger some folks.)
The feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family
political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice
witchcraft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. --Pat Robertson, 1992
Feminism: n. The movement to win political, economic and social equality for women. --Webster's Dictionary.
When I was a little girl, the men all went fishing and the women cleaned the fish.
Feminism to me is when everybody cleans the fish. --Cyndi Lauper
Feminism is the radical notion that women are people. --Bumper sticker
Even my own husband, who dedicates much of his life to actively working to help women
and children, told me the other day that he was not a feminist. I had never considered the notion that he was not.
To me, feminists believe that women should be treated with the samne respect as men. Who could disagree with that?
Years ago, I took a Women's Studies course at the University of Kentucky. On the first
day, the professor asked what we considered feminism to mean. As a class, we finally agreed on this definition --
the belief that women are equal to men and should have equal rights. Then the professor asked how many of us
considered ourselves feminists. Out of approximately 25 women and men in the class, I was the only one who raised a hand.
Why the fear of this three-syllable word? Are we so controlled by what others think that we're afraid
of the assumptions people will make if we say we care about the rights of women? What idea was so horrible in feminism that the
label can still be seen as a "dirty" word?
Ultimately, what it comes down to is that you can define yourself with whatever words you like.
The important thing is to treat all others with respect, safety, and compassion. To me, that's what feminism is all about.
And now, a few thoughts from others on the subject...
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