My "little" sister (19 years old) emailed me describing her idea for a sociology project concerning the label "feminist." I have included her comments and my reply to it as I believe it may stir some interesting distraction away from the election.
Suspeckted's Little Sis says:
For my sociology survey project I'm researching people's idea of what feminist means. I think I might ask a series of questions like "Do you believe in equality between men and women...do you believe men and women should be paid the same for the same job...." those sort of questions and then ask them if they consider themselves a feminist. Because over and over in Women's Studies we talk about how there are so many strong images that come to people with that word, so it'd be interesting to see what people think.
Suspeckted replies:
I think you're doing a pretty gutsy project for sociology but I thought I'd chime in with a view thoughts of my own on the subject matter since I find the topic very interesting. Yes, I consider myself a feminist and you do as well and we are both comfortable with that label. However, I think the questions you are posing to those you survey may force them to choose a label they might not be ready for. What should be important to people like you and myself who tend to agree on most progressive issues is how people think when it comes to the decisions they make within the realm of equality...Unfortunately many of us get hung-up on labels and spend more time trying to get people to call themselves by the same labels we have adopted hoping that their attitudes and behaviors will follow suit. Becoming a feminist as a male has to be somewhat like "coming-out" as gay. You don't know exactly how your friends/family/peers are going to take it.
There is a new movement out there called "individualism." Though I don't know in specific details who came up with it or exactly what their agenda is with it, my understanding is that this is a new expansion of feminism that may do a better job of expanding beyond what many perceive as a male vs. female dichotomy. Individualism suggests that we respect the rights and priviledges of all individuals regardless of gender, race, creed, etc.. This may have been adopted for the same reasons that many feminists are opposed to the words "mankind," "history," "women," etc.. Feminism as a word will always imply to at least part of the population a pursuit of women's rights over all others. Now you and I know this isn't true, but the connotation of it has been tainted by many so-called feminists that actually have thought that way. Many who vote republican may not want to label themselves as "conservatives," just like many shy away from the label of "liberal" despite the fact that their views may fall directly in line with one or the other. Labels can limit us in who will listen to the message we're really trying to get across, instead thinking we're trying to push a label on them. Similarly I rejected the feminist label for so long because I didn't want "feminists" who I didn't agree with to suggest they were speaking for all "feminists." I know you and I both have expressed our dissatisfaction with those who suggest they speak for all christians.
The young-white-straight-male-feminist is in very short supply these days...and I do wish there were more, but maybe I'd be just as content with a lot more individualists.
Anyway, that's my two and 3/4 cents,
hope you're alive and kickin'....it old school,
Love ya,
(Suspeckted)
