In the introduction to her book, Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics, bell hooks (2000) defines feminism as "a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression" (p. viii). She goes on to explain that this definition was first offered in her 1990 text on feminist theory, and that she finds it to be a very useful and important definition for conceptualizing feminism. This definition cites sexism as the defining issue and by extension patriarchy as the institutionalized form of sexism (hooks, 2000). "We are all participants in perpetuating sexism until we change our minds and hearts; until we let go of sexist thought and action and replace it with feminist thought and action" (hooks, 2000, p. ix).After reading hooks' (2000) Introduction, I was curious to see how popular culture and online communities define and discuss feminism. With a variety of options for user generated content available, I didn't hesitate for a moment but went straight to the source and asked the always reliable urbandictionary.com to demystify feminism;-) I will go ahead and admit that I went into this search making some assumptions. I was assuming that I would read some offensive entries that included references to feminists as man-haters, lesbians, women with hairy armpits, and characterized events such as Lilith Fair. I was going to use it as ammunition to launch into my own rant about how feminism is misunderstood, but alas urbandictionary.com (n.d.). let me down....but did it? Below I have included a few of the entries from ubandictionary.com (n.d.) and I can't help but wonder "what would bell hooks say?" Would she think these definitions were progressive or are they just perpetuating the more subtle problematics of defining feminism? So with those questions in mind, here are some of the highlights:
1.) This is the very first entry: The belief that women are and should be treated as potential intellectual equals and social equals to men. These people can be either male or female human beings, although the ideology is commonly (and perhaps falsely) associated mainly with women. It also included this video:
(WeAreEquals, 2011)
2.) Wonderful ideology that depraved misogynists love to hate. Feminism is "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes" --- merriam webster dictionary
3.) The belief that women and men are equal, and the movement that has arisen to support that idea. Feminism can generally be divided into three periods in the United States:
- First Wave- 1800's-1920's. The passage of the 19th Amendment is commonly seen as the culminating event of this phase.
- Second Wave- 1950's-1980's.This is often seen as the high point of the Women's Movement in the US. The failure of the Equal Rights Amendment's passage is seen as the endpoint of this period.
- Third Wave- 1990's-present. Often seen as a more theoretically-driven phase, sometimes incorrectly referred to as post-feminism.
In light of these definitions and hooks (2000) discussion of feminist politics and consciousness-raising, I would like you to respond to the following questions in your own blog.
So For your Consideration...
1.) How do you define feminism?
- In terms of the definitions of feminism, how do you respond to bell hooks?
- How does this definition compare/contrast to those offered by urbandictionary.com?
2.) Based on these definitions, do you consider yourself to be a feminist?
- Why or why not?
3.) Revolutionary feminist consciousness-raising emphasizes the role of patriarchy as an institutionalized system of domination perpetuated by men as well as women.
- Can you name some examples of patriarchy?
- How are these examples perpetuated and maintained?
*Hint: Think about how you can incorporate the bell hooks reading and possibly additional sources when you formulate your response. Show what you know!
References
Urbandictionary.com (n.d.). Feminism. Retrieved on January 17, 2011 from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=feminism.
WeAreEquals. (2011, May 5). Equals [Video file]. Retrieved on January 17, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkp4t5NYzVM.
1. I think that the definition of feminism in the bell hooks book is the best i have ever heard. I always saw feminists as radical man haters for the most part, the definition of feminism in bell hooks gave me an idea of what feminism is really about.
ReplyDelete2. It seems that the urbandictionary.com definition is pretty close to the definition in the book, both involve equality for men and women in politics and the work force, and neither of them talk about "man hating".
3. I would not consider myself to be a feminist. I believe in the ideals and equality, but I have not taken a stance, I do not stay silent in the face of discrimination but i do not go out of my way to advocate for the cause.
4. I believe patriarchy is still prevalent today in families and in the work force. Men are still seen as being more authoritative and seem to hold a lot of the political/corporate power. I do not have any specific examples.
1. Similar to the responses from people Bell Hooks describes in the introduction, what I currently know about feminism has come into my life thirdhand, becuase before taking this coarse I have not taken the time to gain insight on the subject. I have to admitt, when I hear the word "feminist", I sill get an image of an angry, mannish-looking woman in a bandana and sweat pants. But even so, Hooks has given me a different perspective and a little more insight to see feminism as much more than simply being about angry women against men.
ReplyDelete- Bell Hooks' introduction defines feminism in a similar way that the examples from urbandictionary.com does, specifically when mentioning that feminists can be both men and women.
2. I believe that women and men are intellectually equal, have the same capabilities, and should be treated equally, so I suppose that makes me a feminist.
3. An example of patriarchy is how men have always had and still continue to have more power in our society. As long as we are taught from as early childhood how "different" the sexes are, I think this will allow men and women to maintain these different roles in society.
1) How do you define feminism?
ReplyDeleteIn hindsight, I suppose I defined feminism strictly as an ideology. I regarded the notion as a perspective or lens through which individuals internalized and interpreted their experiences, and rationalized their behaviors. But it is inherently much more collective. In response to Bell Hooks' definitions and remarks on feminism, I've come to understand it to be "... a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression." I like the loose applicative nature of the definition she describes as open-ended. To view the paradigm of feminism as simply a perspective, rather than a living social climate, would restrict its potential to achieve its goal.
2) Based on these definitions, do you consider yourself to be a feminist?
I could be mistaken in my reasoning, or interpretation of what it is to be a feminist. But I would assume to be a feminist only requires that I hold the congruent opposition towards ideals such as sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. In this regard I believe I am a feminist, as I feel life, liberty, and respect should be inherent to all regardless of their gender or sex.
3) Revolutionary feminist consciousness-raising emphasizes the role of patriarchy as an institutionalized system of domination perpetuated by men as well as women.
I think politics are a good example of patriarchy in modern society. Several countries around the world, whom we consider developing or below democracy, have experienced a woman leading their government. Yet there still has not been a women elected in the U.S. for the presidential, or vice-presidential position. I think this, and situations like it are maintained by perpetuating sexism and inequality within the society in question.