A lot of commentary of late is cropping up across the internet about who is or is not a feminist. I have read countless articles that have provided numerous rules and regulations for women (not men) who want to be, or already call themselves, a feminist. In case you haven't had time to surf the net and check off each item on your "i AM a feminist for reallllls" list, I will kindly provide a recap of everything a self-questioning or thinking-to-pledge feminist will need.
1. You have to have a college degree. If you don't, make sure you are enrolled in a college. Community colleges and technical schools are not the same as a four year institution. The intellectual rigor of feminist theory and gender philosophy requires a diploma, without one you are probably just pretending. If you cared about the advancement of women, you would know that empowerment begins with the mind and education(previously an all male activity) is the way to go.
2. You have to remain unmarried. Okay, so this is an iffy subject. If you are a woman who is married, then you are choosing to conform to hundreds of years of patriarchal subjugation of women and thus you are by default not allowed to call yourself a feminist. There are some who will argue that getting married is okay; if you believe this then get married, but DO NOT change your last name to match his last name. Your feminist card is smoking when you state , "I do". It will explode if you surrender your name.
3. You must participate in activism. What is the point of fighting for social change if you sit at home and do nothing about it? If you are young you have already failed at marching and picketing, so get to it. Rip your bra off, demand a raise from your boss, picket in the streets and tell your father to "fuck off". If you aren't involved in any activities that will further the causes of feminism, you are not a feminist (even if you are physically un able to do so).
4. You must be able to recite the classic feminist literary heroes on feminist blogs across the net- by memory and at the drop of a hat. How else is one to prove their educational prowess, their appreciation for previous "waves" of feminism, understanding of its history and posses the ability to show off? If you haven't read the classics, you aren't a feminist.
5. You must resist all sexist media. Take this test and apply it to movies, art, and books. If the entertainment/media fails then you should not consume it. If you do, you aren't a feminist.
6. Have a high powered job that is financially rewarding. Women used to only get the receptionist spot at your local corporation. Now, she can sit in the CEO's chair. The glass ceiling has 18 million cracks in it for a reason, get up there and pound on that thing until it shatters! If you don't , you aren't a feminist-sorry. ( 6A. If you don't have a job, you must be an intellectual working on your dissertation about something woman-related.)
7. Be politically active. Great change can only come from federal courts and legislatures. You must campaign for democratic women (and some men, bless them) who have a 100% rating from the Planned Parenthood. If you disagree with Democratic ideology, you are not a feminist.
8. You must hate Sarah Palin.
9. You must do it all. Ladies: we are woman, hear us roarrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!! You can and should have a job, husband (if you decide against rule #2 of course and correctly retain your last name), several kids, advance your career and be home to cook and clean each night. You don't have to and should not sacrifice your career for a family and cannot sacrifice your family for a career ( see rule #6). Do them both and you'll be a feminist.
10. Be (not just say) Pro - Choice. Women have the equal right to choose when, how or if they have a child(ren). They have the physical and mental capabilities to make big decisions- respect that fact and be pro choice.
If you are still unsure of your true feminist status then you probably aren't a feminist. Feminism is black and white, no shades of grey. Good Luck.
LaPrincipessa | Twitter | Email
1 comments:
Thank you so much for this post! I found it via Small Strokes, and am so sick of people telling me what a feminist is or isn't.
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