Feminist Approach

1.) How do you define feminism?

Prior to reading bell hooks definition and examining the original blog post, I definitely fit with the stereotypical viewpoint that feminism is for bra-burning, male-hating, hairy women. It was a viewpoint that I couldn't relate to at all, and I was not looking forward to reading bell hooks. 

After reading the first few chapters in bell hooks, I became more open to this new definition of feminism and was able to see the views proposed.  I thought the perspective of equality was a really important element described.

I thought bell hooks' description was very similar to urbandictionary's and provided a well-rounded more generalizable approach to a typically biased belief.  

2.) Based on these definitions, do you consider yourself to be a feminist? 

Originally, I disagreed with the feminist idea, but now I see the more broad and hopeful goals feminists believe in.  With this gained understanding, I now understand their perspective and agree with the ultimate opinions feminists hold.

3.) Revolutionary feminist consciousness-raising emphasizes the role of patriarchy as an institutionalized system of domination perpetuated by men as well as women. 

Examples of patriarchy: 

• most older television shows (The Brady Bunch, The Cosby Show, The Jeffersons, etc.)
• a lot of marriages, specifically the vast majority of marriages and families in my rural community.
• a majority of Disney/children's movies. (The damsel in distress paired with a knight in shining armor).

These examples are maintained because of society's belief in male dominance.  Not only is this portrayed in the literature used for todays' discussion, but it is clearly a part of our everyday society.