Comments on: Being passionately feminist without being feminazi

By: Feminism is a bad, bad word… « The Brat, the Bean and Bedlam

Feminism is a bad, bad word… « The Brat, the Bean and Bedlam — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:41:41 +0000

[...] of Her Bad Mother speaks about being a feminist without being [...]

By: Tina C

Tina C — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 18:44:41 +0000

I totally agree with your post, and Suebob’s and Joy’s comments as well. I also embrace the term feminist, and have since I first learned it. Knowing that I’m part of a larger, worldwide movement has been inspiring to me even though I know every group will have its elements you might not agree with, and it is inherently risky to ally oneself with a group of people (what if they do something I disagree with and that might embarrass me ‘cause I’m associated with them???).

Still and all, I consider being a member of a larger group of like-minded people as positive. I have never understood people who agree with feminist goals but who are afraid to call themselves as such (that includes the matching post to this one whose arguments didn’t convince me at all). Why do I get the feeling that some women don’t self-identify as feminists because they’re afraid people might not like them or think they’re something they’re not??? Why do women care so much about whether strangers like them or agree with them??? I would like feminism to rectify this.

By: Daisy

Daisy — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 03:20:02 +0000

You go, girl! I mean woman! You said it very, very well.

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 03:04:20 +0000

I’m a bit unsettled with the “Feminist Movement”. For me, all the research I’ve done on feminism leads me to believe that many times some women are feminists due to political agendas and that irks me.

I agree with a women’s right to choice — in all matters except abortion. People will argue with me and call me names and everything that goes along with that. And I don’t care, life is life.

We can choose jobs, education, shoes, nail polish colors, but choosing to terminate life is a non-negotiable for me.

But I do agree with you on the gender bias: A person shouldn’t be judged by her sex. That is something that bothers me a great deal.

By: CrankMama

CrankMama — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 23:22:49 +0000

Amen, Suebob!!

By: Suebob

Suebob — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 16:03:20 +0000

The nutty thing about being against feminism is that feminism gives MEN more choices, too. When women are free to use all their talents and abilities, doors open for men, too.

For instance, my 87 year old dad thinks it is insane that there are 3 male elementary school teachers in his neighborhood. He is not used to the idea – younger people are. Those men had a choice that wasn’t nearly as accepted before feminism.

My nephews are free to cuddle and snuggle and spend significant amounts of time on infant care. In my dad’s day, that was unheard of.

Feminism is a good deal all around. The only thing it is AGAINST is oppression and inequality for EVERYONE. Tell me again how that is bad, because I don’t get the argument against.

By: CrankMama

CrankMama — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 03:23:18 +0000

Let’s all promise from here on out not to use the word feminazi again.. how I cringe to see Rush Limbaugh’s word used against ourselves…. In any event, HBM, well said. I appreciate the many reasons why you balked at feminism for awhile and then returned. Like any movement or group effort to increase possibilities for girls AND boys, feminism is a worthy endeavor. You can call me a ‘feminist’ or a ‘hippie’ or a ’stupid mommy blogger’… but what it boils down to is that I want my daughters (all three of them — PHEW!!) to feel strong and positive about themselves, their bodies, and their choices. I want my nephews (all 5 of them) to feel strong and positive about themselves too… The future will tell whether my nephews or my daughters will have a harder row to hoe.

By: mothergoosemouse

mothergoosemouse — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 22:21:10 +0000

Agree 100% with what Catherine said about “feminazi”. It symbolizes hate – on the part of those who oppose feminism (in any of its incarnations) and sadly, also on the part of those women who denounce other women who don’t fit the prescribed agenda.

By: Catherine (Her Bad Mother)

Catherine (Her Bad Mother) — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 22:13:58 +0000

I can’t believe that I commented in the wrong space – meant to weigh in HERE, on this discussion, but posted THERE (my space) on the other discussion, which is of course related, but still…

I hope that it’s clear that my use of feminazi here is *critical* – as I said in the comments chez moi, I wanted to make a point about how it is used from the p.o.v. of anger and hate – which I think (I hope obviously) that we need to reject, both in its use by feminist ‘haters’ and by women who are put off by feminism. I’d like to think that there are good, inclusive variations on ‘warrior feminism’ – because I think that there are times when we need that productive, positive warrior spirit…

By: Mom101

Mom101 — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 21:49:12 +0000

I lurve this post, with the same passion with which I hate the term Feminazi.

I hate seeing it because to me it not only uses Rush’s hate speech, but perpetuates the idea that radical militant feminists bear some sort of relationship to Nazis–a majority party who perpetrated the most horrible crimes against minority groups. Maybe feminists should be compared to Black Panthers?