Saturday, June 19, 2010

Defining Feminism

I just discovered this short essay from 2003 that defines what a feminist is. Here's an excerpt, but please, read it all. 
If you believe in, support, look fondly on, hope for, and/or work towards equality of the sexes, you are a feminist.  
Yes, you are.
Yes. You are. You are a feminist. If you believe in, support, look fondly on, hope for, and/or work towards equality of the sexes, you are a feminist. Period. It's more complicated than that — of course it is. And yet…it's exactly that simple. 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes it is.
And I loved a defiant definition that says, 'Whichever way you define it, I am one.'

dipali said...

It's such a brilliant piece, that.
Thanks for posting this.

Unmana said...

IHM: I posted this for all those who can't understand what feminism is, and why we should care about it, and isn't it 'discriminatory'?

dipali: I'm so glad I found it. I read this author often, but never thought to check in her archives. Now that's a project for a rainy day with nothing to do!

Sumedha said...

Really good essay! Simple, accurate. I sent it to some of my friend who keep either calling me a man-hater or making up stories about why I'm not a "good" feminist. Hopefully it'll get the point across. :)