You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Feminism’ tag.
Entrenched patriarchal attitudes and norms are the enemy. Pervasive, ‘invisible’, and yet ubiquitous. The battles that must be undertaken are fraught with notion of the permanence of patriarchy and how unassailable it seems.
It isn’t. Just reaching one person and showing them the way is a victory, savour it and use it to power the next task at hand.
I felt as if I had to put a little inspiration before this quote of the day, as it is a bit on the disheartening side, but necessary to see the breadth of the task at hand.
“The female “gender-blenders” interviewed by Devor (1989) can help us see how women’s ambivalence about being female usually tends to reinforce patriarchy. These women clearly identified with men. They dressed like men, and they viewed women as most men view women— inferior. They showed strong devaluation of femaleness and of the subordinate behaviors assigned to women by the male-dominant culture. Their strong rejection of the feminine role for themselves was related to their strong acceptance of the message, presented to them by older family members, that females are sexual objects, are subordinate, and are deficient in comparison to men.
It is probably impossible for women not to internalize men’s denigration of femaleness and femininity to some extent. For example, both the women who adopt the feminine role for themselves and the genderblenders described by Devor have internalized the notion that females are subordinate. Neither group questions male culture’s definition of femaleness and femininity. The gender-blender challenges the belief that she is a subordinate but not the belief that women as a group are subordinate.”
|
|
I like the pull quote from the article, but the much of what Happonen asserts is quite contentious. Read the full article on The Feminist Current. This is sort of my hope for the New Year – not the abandoment of psychology persay – but women coming together and organizing against the structures in society that oppress them. The first step, as in any revolution, is to meet and talk with people who share your oppression and realize that you are not alone in the struggle against it.
“Ironically, it is often a mental block that hinders so many young women from being effective feminists. But that block is not anxiety, depression, or stress — rather, it is the idea that our emotions and problems are personal, and to be overcome on our own. We have to let go of the idea that the wrong is with us, and not with the world. We have to reach out and organize in real life, help each other, be supportive and understanding, listening and empathetic, tolerant and kind, but also firm and truthful. We must understand that we are all hurt, frustrated, and angry — and that this is not something we have to deal with alone.
I urge young feminists who feel powerless and frustrated to meet each other in real life. Look for established feminist groups in your city or area to join, women’s shelters to volunteer in, reading circles, book clubs, self-defence classes — and if you can’t find any, start your own group. Be each other’s support network and strength, show up to rallies and demonstrations in groups; make signs, slogans, stickers, and pamphlets to distribute together; organize activities and protests. I strongly encourage having ties to older women, in order to learn from their experience and knowledge, though it is equally important to act independently as a new generation of feminists and form our own networks. I was able to find friends and eventually form a feminist organization, aimed at facilitating women-separatist spaces, through radical feminist forums on Facebook and blogs on Tumblr. Dare to take the next step and meet up in real life. Join the organizations and groups you’ve been eyeing forever. Push yourself to go out and meet new women.
Our goals should not be self-empowerment or self-improvement, but the liberation of womankind.”
Nice to see a man, even if just in the movies, defer to competence.
If not, let me top you up.
Oh men, so fragile, so vulnerable. All the feelz for you!
I knew as soon as I saw this on my facebook feed, that a great tide was coming. The tide of ignorant entitled men who would disparage the very notion of mansplaining and try to make the conversation about them and their very important needs and problems.
The great tide of mansplination has crashed and to their credit the individuals behind Philosophy Matters has been doing and excellent job of schooling the dudes on the related comment thread.
I’m still just taken a bit aback by how, at least nominally, intelligent people do not understand such simple concept. I’m guessing that it has much to do with the (wrong) idea that the experience in society is roughly the same for everybody.
Long time readers of DWR will recognize that highlighting the differing experiences of females and males in society is something of a theme around here and here we have an example on social media illustrating that there is still so much work to be done.
Thanks internet for confirming that my dislike of humanity in general is well-founded.
bleatmop
Mystro
Dead Wild Roses 
Your opinions…