NYC Slutwalk 2011 Image: David Shankbone
Feminism. Even before Caitlin Moran launched her book How to be a Woman feminism has been finding itself brought up in conversation. A new unapologetic ownership of the word 'feminism' is rising up. American feminist magazine Bust interviews usually ask their interviewees if they are a feminist. A surprising amount of women would take the opportunity to distance themselves from woman's lib. Gwen Stefani, the woman who fronted No Doubt singing about how the boys in her band (it was the 90s – it was kinderwhore era - nobody grew up) got a different deal from her, who wrote the song Just a Girl, informed Bust in 2007 that she was not a feminist. This year the young women Kat Dennings, Tavi Gevinson and Mindy Kaling were all happy to discuss their feminism in Bust Magazine.
This phrase 'their feminism' (if I may be so bold as to quote myself within the same text) is causing the new interest in feminism to splutter and divide. ’Twas ever thus you might say, but this new media savvy generation of feminists know what sells and plan to reclaim it for everybody. To the chagrin of the third wave feminists, who would rather drop the baton than pass it on to these girls who grew up with a very confusing message of what is or isn't empowering.
The new generation, or wave if you prefer, of feminism is well aware that sex and aesthetics are what rule society. Or rather unhealthy attitudes to sex and aesthetics are what rule society. A strong dislike for feminism has been in the air for a long time, the idea that at its crux is misandry (which people are always very swift to make clear they don't subscribe to – unlike misogyny, which is hilarious) has resulted in a rush to assure people 'we are not like that'. Hence the early 2000's popular phrase: “I'm not a feminist, but...”
Where young feminists involved in projects such as Object can easily trace their roots to second wave. The new feminists trying to work out a balance where feminists can vajazzle (to answer your question, Cosmopolitan), be trans-positive, where sex positivity means pro sex worker and nudity can be sexy or no big deal. All this positivity might leave you wondering where's the righteous anger?
In an effort to remove all traits of masculine negativity, intimidation and create supportive structured we pulled our own teeth. I once attended a women's society that didn't clap, they wiggled their fingers because clapping is too loud. Wiggled their fingers. In support. I'm not sure there was anything intended in the announcement (besides being informative) that: “instead of clapping, here we give each other the fingers”. I didn't clap, but I did have a finger for them.
Of course there is righteous anger in the feminist movements. In this month alone, traditionally set aside for silly season, there's been a lot to be incandescent with rage about. But where one feminist set sees fit to express their anger by campaigning against Page 3, another has been baring their breasts for equality in New York or to protest sex tourism in Ukraine and Slut Walks are replacing Reclaim the Night marches in cities.
Quite frankly with some of the recent 'biology' lessons regarding the female reproductive system, the refusal to believe Assange might be capable of sexual assault andcoverage of Olympic Women not being attractive whilst competing might well make you want to go female Hulk, rip off your shirt and smash patriarchy.
It's just weird we have to get naked to get heard.
Squeamish Kate
Related Posts
This isn't What a Feminist Looks Like
The new generation, or wave if you prefer, of feminism is well aware that sex and aesthetics are what rule society. Or rather unhealthy attitudes to sex and aesthetics are what rule society. A strong dislike for feminism has been in the air for a long time, the idea that at its crux is misandry (which people are always very swift to make clear they don't subscribe to – unlike misogyny, which is hilarious) has resulted in a rush to assure people 'we are not like that'. Hence the early 2000's popular phrase: “I'm not a feminist, but...”
Where young feminists involved in projects such as Object can easily trace their roots to second wave. The new feminists trying to work out a balance where feminists can vajazzle (to answer your question, Cosmopolitan), be trans-positive, where sex positivity means pro sex worker and nudity can be sexy or no big deal. All this positivity might leave you wondering where's the righteous anger?
In an effort to remove all traits of masculine negativity, intimidation and create supportive structured we pulled our own teeth. I once attended a women's society that didn't clap, they wiggled their fingers because clapping is too loud. Wiggled their fingers. In support. I'm not sure there was anything intended in the announcement (besides being informative) that: “instead of clapping, here we give each other the fingers”. I didn't clap, but I did have a finger for them.
Of course there is righteous anger in the feminist movements. In this month alone, traditionally set aside for silly season, there's been a lot to be incandescent with rage about. But where one feminist set sees fit to express their anger by campaigning against Page 3, another has been baring their breasts for equality in New York or to protest sex tourism in Ukraine and Slut Walks are replacing Reclaim the Night marches in cities.
Quite frankly with some of the recent 'biology' lessons regarding the female reproductive system, the refusal to believe Assange might be capable of sexual assault andcoverage of Olympic Women not being attractive whilst competing might well make you want to go female Hulk, rip off your shirt and smash patriarchy.
It's just weird we have to get naked to get heard.
Squeamish Kate
Related Posts
This isn't What a Feminist Looks Like
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