The Feminist Manifesto

 This semester, I am taking a Race, Class & Gender course. Last week, we discussed the fact that very few young women call themselves feminists (even when they believe in equal rights). The conclusion in class was that the media has turned “Feminist” into a bad word and it conjures up images of angry, ugly, radical women.

I have spent some time in the past consciously thinking about whether I wanted to take on the label of feminist. Just the fact that it has become a decision that one must consider shows how much negative power is attached to the term. What does it mean to be a feminist? What are the implications of calling yourself a feminist? How do others react when you call yourself a feminist? Do I feel strongly enough (am I radical enough) to justify this status to myself and others?

After thinking it over, I realized that I have always been and always will be a strong feminist whether or not I call myself one. There is a disconnect between the viewpoint and the connotations of the name. Taking on the feminist label had nothing to do with gender equality and everything to do with the silliness of a stereotype. I hope that by saying that I am a feminist, it will cause others to reflect on why he or she is afraid to use the term and question how ungrounded these ridiculous notions that are attached to it.

I knew that if I called myself a feminist, I would be inviting debate, discussion, and criticism, especially from certain men. I have met some men who say they cannot stand feminists; some men have a negative reaction even when I say that I study gender (I suppose feminism is implied in such an area). Feminism is either a joke or a threat to them. I have had wild responses such as: “So, you think you don’t need a man?” “Do you think that men should have babies?” “Feminists are all lesbians.” “Feminists hate men.”  Where do these extrapolations come from? Women are equal to men; feminists simply want this to be recognized. This does mean that we “hate” men or “love” women. We do not think that one gender is better than another. And impregnating men is certainly not on my agenda.

Here is the brand of feminism that I subscribe to:

A Feminist Believes

A feminist believes that men and women are equal. This does not mean that men and women are the same in every single way. We are not looking for androgyny, simply respect.

Gender differences should be celebrated, not used to subjugate women or justify male dominance.

One gender should not be socially privileged over another and women must be educated and paid at the same level of men.

Women should have access to the same freedom and opportunities as men.

Women are capable of leadership in politics, business, science, mathematics, athletics, and any other male dominated arena.

The differences in ability are greater within gender than across gender.

A Feminist May or May Not

• want to get married
• wear makeup
• be a lesbian
• be pro-choice
• believe in God

A Feminist Does Not

hate men, believe that women are superior to men, wish to see the elimination of men and gender, burn bras, or embody the ugly, angry feminist stereotype.

I am looking forward to teaching a gender class in the future in order to discuss this issue. Both young men and women need to reflect on what feminism is and why it has been (mis)interpreted so negatively. This seems like one area that undergraduate sociology classes could engage students and possibly change their conceptions. Ultimately, it may not matter what people label themselves so long as the ideological argument remains intact. However, I do believe that it is a serious problem that those who do identify as feminists are met with hostile opposition by both men and women because of the fear of threatening or offending men. If we could moderate the stereotype, the threat would be lessened and more people would safely be able to use a term that signifies a set of beliefs instead of a stereotype that reflects a backlash.