The word feminism has many connotations. Some include lesbian, feminazi,
man-hater, and baby killer. It is interesting to note that all these words
convey a negative feeling. It is rare to hear feminism described as female
empowerment or as an organized activity on behalf of women's rights and
interests, which is how it is defined in the dictionary. Why has feminism taken
on such a negative meaning? In this course, feminism has been defined as female
empowerment, the recognition of oppression, and the advocation of equality. The
syllabus clearly states that academic feminism is not about male bashing…it is
about challenging racist, sexist, classist, and homophobic ideologies in order
to theorize about a more equitable society, and it is about transforming some of
the existing patriarchal and racist paradigms in order to eliminate oppression.
In my opinion, any strong and independent woman would want to be labeled as a
feminist. Yet many women are cautious, afraid even, of aligning themselves with
the word feminist. Fear is part of the equation…the justifiable fear of what
lies ahead for any woman boldly proclaiming her commitment to empowerment(Morgan,
55).
Is it because in order to be a feminist, a woman must deal with false
assumptions about her sexual preference, cultural beliefs, and general outlook
on life? I dreaded the long, tedious conversations spent exorcising others of
the stereotypes that tend to haunt the collective consciousness….when we think
of the f-word…male basher, crew cut dyke..(Morgan, 56). What woman would want to
deal with this constant barrage of insults in order to proclaim herself a
feminist? Feminism is often identified with the radical and extreme definition
associated with one of its subcategories, Radical Feminism. Radical Feminism
emphasized the relationship of women to each other, even going so far as to
advocate separatism (women only communes, withholding sex) in order to change
the system. Unfortunately, this theory promoted the idea of feminists as
lesbians, as man haters who wished to separate themselves from an unjust
patriarchal society. Contemporary mass media has also contributed to the
negative attitude surrounding feminism. The term feminazi, coined by television
and radio personality Rush Limbaugh, is defined by anti-feminists as a feminist
who is trying to produce as many abortions as possible, hence the term nazi.
Limbaugh is obviously under the misconception that all feminists are pro-choice,
which coincides with the whole lesbian/man-hating feeling towards feminism.
Words: 395
