the f word

[freakbychoice]

I identify as a radical feminist. I believe in intersectional equality and a world free of oppression based on gender, sex, sexuality, race, class, ability, etc.

Contemporary feminism differs from second wave feminism in that it does not berate women for embracing stereotypically feminine roles, but is instead celebrating women who make their own choices and supporting those who don't feel comfortable doing so. And many feminists are aiming to be more trans- inclusive. This is why I strongly identify with feminism; its contemporary presence in radical communities is an inclusive and empowering force.

Identifying with feminist beliefs does not mean that you only believe in equality for women, especially when feminism is such an intersectional issue. That's like saying because someone likes carrots, they don't care about all other vegetables.

also, to quote Ellen Page (thanks tumblr for this one): "the fact that feminism is a dirty word is proof that patriarchy exists."

love this.

[Chula]

I seriously admire you Molly , as young as you are to be so dedicated and strong in your beliefs is a beautiful thing to behold.

[poorandweird]

I identify as a radical feminist. I believe in intersectional equality and a world free of oppression based on gender, sex, sexuality, race, class, ability, etc.

Contemporary feminism differs from second wave feminism in that it does not berate women for embracing stereotypically feminine roles, but is instead celebrating women who make their own choices and supporting those who don't feel comfortable doing so. And many feminists are aiming to be more trans- inclusive. This is why I strongly identify with feminism; its contemporary presence in radical communities is an inclusive and empowering force.

Identifying with feminist beliefs does not mean that you only believe in equality for women, especially when feminism is such an intersectional issue. That's like saying because someone likes carrots, they don't care about all other vegetables.

also, to quote Ellen Page (thanks tumblr for this one): "the fact that feminism is a dirty word is proof that patriarchy exists."

awesome

[GrifterOI]

I identify as a radical feminist. I believe in intersectional equality and a world free of oppression based on gender, sex, sexuality, race, class, ability, etc.

Contemporary feminism differs from second wave feminism in that it does not berate women for embracing stereotypically feminine roles, but is instead celebrating women who make their own choices and supporting those who don't feel comfortable doing so. And many feminists are aiming to be more trans- inclusive. This is why I strongly identify with feminism; its contemporary presence in radical communities is an inclusive and empowering force.

Identifying with feminist beliefs does not mean that you only believe in equality for women, especially when feminism is such an intersectional issue. That's like saying because someone likes carrots, they don't care about all other vegetables.

also, to quote Ellen Page (thanks tumblr for this one): "the fact that feminism is a dirty word is proof that patriarchy exists."

I so seriously appreciate feminists that are willing to make the contemporary vs neo-feminist distinction. You peeps are awesome, keep fighting the good fight!

[jessiegrrrl]

I identify as a radical feminist. I believe in intersectional equality and a world free of oppression based on gender, sex, sexuality, race, class, ability, etc.

Contemporary feminism differs from second wave feminism in that it does not berate women for embracing stereotypically feminine roles, but is instead celebrating women who make their own choices and supporting those who don't feel comfortable doing so. And many feminists are aiming to be more trans- inclusive. This is why I strongly identify with feminism; its contemporary presence in radical communities is an inclusive and empowering force.

Identifying with feminist beliefs does not mean that you only believe in equality for women, especially when feminism is such an intersectional issue. That's like saying because someone likes carrots, they don't care about all other vegetables.

also, to quote Ellen Page (thanks tumblr for this one): "the fact that feminism is a dirty word is proof that patriarchy exists."

Love this and you!

[Bandit]

^ molly = awesome

[mollypop]

Thanks guys. Fuck patriarchy.

[Max]

Hmm. i'm hardly ever on here anymore, so I don't know if i want this to be my first post, and probably last post for awhile, but if you're reading this it means I decided to hit post.
In a word, no.
I'm not a feminist, and I don't see any reason for me to be one. I can certainly see why some girls choose to be, and more power to them. But, I don't see it as exactly honest for me to call myself one when i just don't fit the label.
I'm not meaning to defend sexism, and yes, i can be a sexist. But, I also don't see it as a binary either/or ( either you are a feminist or a sexist) instead, I think there are complexities. So, do I think you should be paid for the work you do, not your gender- absolutely, but that's not necessarily a feminist stance, because I feel you should be paid for the work you do, regardless of several other factors as well. On the other hand are there jobs i don't really want girls doing? yup. Like, while girls can be doctors, I don't want a female doctor. I want a male doctor who even comes from a similar background as I come from. Why? Because there's better chance we'll understand each other. But to really mix it up- i don't want a female lawyer, either. that's because I remember my custody case for my son a little too well. call me a sexist, and i very well might be, but I think that gender issues involving my female judge and my ex wife's female lawyer helped to rob me of my son for a few years. So, it's not quite so black and white as feminist/sexist, you see?
Now, i've long since maintained that this here forum is for girls. It's open enough that there are a few guys, but the main thrust and the majority of people is all about the girls. So, it's very easy for this to be a one sided type of discussion. i'm not posting this to put myself in opposition to anyone. You wanna think I'm a sexist male chauvinist, fair enough, and no argument from me. However, i would like you to really consider your stances in your life. If you identify as a feminist, are there areas where you're also a sexist? If you're not a feminist are there areas where you agree with feminism? How do you feel about, a male lab attendant handling your mammogram? if you found yourself needing a cop, would you gravitate more towards a male or female officer? Would you go with a female mechanic to work on your car if she charged more than male mechanics? Would you have a 14 year old athletic boy babysit your kid? Get the idea? I don't think there's one easy answer. if there is for you, great, but i don't think i can pin it down that easily.

[freakbychoice]

^^In response, no, I would not want a male doctor. I feel this comes down to a personal privacy issue, as well as an intimacy preferance. I will not go to a male gyno, but at the same time, I have no preferance as to any other kind of doctor. My optomatrist is male, my dentist is male, and my gynocologist is female. It's a personal preferance, as I am more comfortable with a woman examining that part of my body. Whether or not this can be attributed to their personal parts or to my own issues, I don't know.

I don't consider this sexist. Were I to say "Men shouldn't be gynocologists because they don't have a vagina, uterus, or ovaries", that would be sexist.

[LilyBathory]

In reply to Max, too, I do sometmes pick people on gender. I don't consider myself as a feminist, but I still don't really find it sexist to choose a woman for a certain job, I consider it pbservant or at best, greedy or convenient.

I don't care about the gender of my gyno. Mine is male. I don't generally care about the gender of a cop, unless I call them at a club, then I prefer there to be a woman present (they're usually at least 4 of them, and I can't really call and ask for a woman, but they usually send one woman, 3 men anyway) the reason is the same why many clubs have a female bouncer along with the men - women deescalate situations with drunk men by just being there. it's also why our bouncers often ask me or the cashier-girl to be present when handling a giant asshole. even drunk men often try to appear less violent with a woman present. I'd totally go with a male mechanic if he charged less. if the woman charged less, I'd want her. I want one other woman behind the bar with me because tips will be better. I honestly have never even thought about the gender of any lab mechanics handling mammograms. And if I ever find a boy interested in babysitting, why not.

see, this may seem sexist, too, but it's just observing reactions towards women and making use of them.

[Daisy]

awesome responses guys. seriously, i love the discussions going on on this thread. my friend told me feminism wasn't relevent anymore [and also linked me to this blog post] which made me sad because it is: it really is

one of my housemates asked me what i meant by 'feminism' which i didn't know how to respond to

if anyone's interested, i've recently read Caitlin Moran's 'How To Be A Woman' which is absolutely wonderful and talks about what to call your vagina and standing on chairs shouting "i am a feminist"

molly: i love you and your armpit hair is lovely

[CamilleDevine]

awesome responses guys. seriously, i love the discussions going on on this thread. my friend told me feminism wasn't relevent anymore [and also linked me to this blog post] which made me sad because it is: it really is

From that post: "Second of all, feminists claim to stand for equality for everyone. Why, then, must you call yourself feminists if the struggle is for equality for everyone? Why specifically mention the phrase “femi” in your title? Why not just refer to yourself as “egalitarians” if what you truly believe in is equality for everyone?"
That pretty well sums it up for me.

[poorandweird]

Because when the term was coined, women weren't even remotely near equality to men. I personally don't actually care what you call it, as long as you stand for the core belief in equality

[mollypop]

Choosing a doctor or professional based on their gender--yeah, it can be sexist--but what you're describing really isn't. Just because maybe you'd be more comfortable with someone based on their similar genitalia does not mean feminism isnt applicable to you or "real life." And honestly, that is such a small faction of the type of issues feminism can be concerned with.

It concerns me that people choose to not identify with feminism because they sometime choose their professionals based on their gender. What about reproductive rights? Widespread rape and genocide based on gender? Sex-negativity, slut-shaming, victim blaming? Discrimination in the work place (In most American states, transgender people can legally be fired for being trans)? Body-shaming? Have you heard anything Ron Paul has ever said? There are so many important, life-saving, widespread and intersectional issues that need to be dealt with that go so far beyond the gender of your doctor.

Another thing for Max--that lawyer may have discriminated against you. That is wrong. However, what kind of culture assumes that women are the best at child care? That men don't belong in the home, can't responsibly care for children? Um, PATRIARCHY. Just because that lawyer was a woman does not mean she can't be patriarchal. Feminism is a movement focused on dissolving Patriarchy.

Another possibility, and of course this doesn't excuse her behavior by any means--but she may have been acting on a prejudice against men based on her own encounters with an anti-woman culture. I have done this--for example, when I'm walking home alone at night and a man is walking behind me, I always feel that certain sense of fear. I make myself constantly aware of where he is, I get away from him, etc. Is this prejudice? Maybe. But its out of safety and my own experiences. How many times a day do you think my brain is infiltrated with the ways in which a man can hurt me? How many times have I been threatened, cat-called, groped on the street? A lot of fucking times. So yeah, maybe it's unfair to assume this about this possibly "good" man. But I live in rape culture, and sometimes fear is fucking necessary. In this way, challenging a sexist culture--a sexist culture against women, may actually help women like your lawyer dissolve their own prejudices.

Also, yeah feminism is about equality for everyone. But it's a movement that started in response to the system of patriarchy--which is a system rooted in anti-woman, so it would make sense to start with/focus on the liberation of women. Feminism is also a historical movement. Call it feminism because that's what its called!

[jessiegrrrl]

^^ You are incredible.