1) I personally define feminism as the act of being empowered by the female being. People who express and give their thoughts on the rights for the equal rights and empowerment of females. In response to the bell hooks definition I actually really liked. I liked that it makes the comment that it is the movement. I truly believe that it is a movement, and it will always be around. I also liked that it did not pigeon hole just "hippie crazy girls". In response to the Urban Dictionary entry, I liked a whole lot! I also assumed that the Urban Dictionary response would also have reference about hippies, lesbians, and every other stereotypical feminism thought. I also figured there would be a picture of a women burning her bra. But I think that Bell Hooks would have appreciated the urban dictionary responses and how Americans have really taken to the definition and reality of the feminist movement.
2) Do I consider myself to be a feminist? I keep finding this as a very hard question to answer. I do not know, based on the two definitions I feel that I am a little but feminist. I be think that if I work my butt off I deserve just as much as the man next to me who has worked just as much. However I do think it is on the point of the female to make sure she is given the right amount of respect. Just because one is a female does not automatically give them the right to complain they are being oppressed. This is just my opinion.
3) When I think of examples of patriarchy is the double sides sword of sex. A women is a whore if it is common knowledge she is having sex whether it is her first time or 6th time; whereas it is expected that a guy will have sex multiple times and be "The Man". I do not think that this will ever change. Lincoln last semester has a "slut walk". I think it sucks that girls can not be as open as guys about their sexual adventures. Another example I think of is the President of the United States. I truly believe that there will never be a female President. I know that this probably makes me sound bad but the word "female" does not mean power in most peoples vocabulary.
Kari Ryan
Kari, I, too, have struggled with the idea of whether or not I recognize myself as a feminist. I agree that society has kind of made this a difficult idea to understand because there are so many definitions of feminism out there. There is a fine line between women who demand respect for themselves and women who immediately play the pity card. Good post!
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ReplyDeleteLike Brooke, I also understand the (as Brooke put it so nicely) "struggle" to identify as a feminist. While the definition of feminism can be put in a tidy little sentence, there are many more facets of it that need to be considered.
I really respect that you both, as women, don't just readily assert yourself as leading feminist as many women might feel the obligation to do.
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