What is Feminism and how has it affected me?
When I first came into class, I had no idea what this “feminism” was, is, does or even meant. Some people say, “Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression,” (hooks-Intro) while others say it is, “the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.” (dictionary) Also, we have those who believe that American Feminists are trying to comfort “the sister nations in a ‘Big Sister’ type of way and they need to know the whole story before getting involved.” (Darraj) So, how about the Asian feminism, which is described with “five areas of focus: diaspora; memory; home; identity; and cultural trauma.” (Ryan) Is this feminism, in general? And last, but certainly not least, should I believe what the Black Women’s studies objective believes? There are “Four issues for the consideration of politics in Black Women’s Studies: 1) The general political situation of Afro-American women and the bearing this has had upon the implementation of Black Women’s Studies; 2) The relationship of Black women’s studies to Black feminist politics and the Black feminist movement; 3) The necessity for Black women’s studies to be feminist, radical and analytical; 4) The need for teachers of Black women’s studies to be aware of our problematic political positions in the academy and of the potentially antagonistic conditions under which we must work.” (Hull) So, really, what is feminism? I have always been the difficult one who needs facts before making a statement, so let’s take it back, way back.
Basically, feminism has developed due to past events, circumstances and situations. So, it is only right for a beginner, like myself, to find out all of this history. As I researched, I found out there are three waves of Feminism. The First Wave “spans from the 19th Century to the early twentieth century.”(Associated) Being the analytical person that I am I went into depth on the research of this “First Wave.” Here is some of the notes I found:
When I first came into class, I had no idea what this “feminism” was, is, does or even meant. Some people say, “Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression,” (hooks-Intro) while others say it is, “the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.” (dictionary) Also, we have those who believe that American Feminists are trying to comfort “the sister nations in a ‘Big Sister’ type of way and they need to know the whole story before getting involved.” (Darraj) So, how about the Asian feminism, which is described with “five areas of focus: diaspora; memory; home; identity; and cultural trauma.” (Ryan) Is this feminism, in general? And last, but certainly not least, should I believe what the Black Women’s studies objective believes? There are “Four issues for the consideration of politics in Black Women’s Studies: 1) The general political situation of Afro-American women and the bearing this has had upon the implementation of Black Women’s Studies; 2) The relationship of Black women’s studies to Black feminist politics and the Black feminist movement; 3) The necessity for Black women’s studies to be feminist, radical and analytical; 4) The need for teachers of Black women’s studies to be aware of our problematic political positions in the academy and of the potentially antagonistic conditions under which we must work.” (Hull) So, really, what is feminism? I have always been the difficult one who needs facts before making a statement, so let’s take it back, way back.
Basically, feminism has developed due to past events, circumstances and situations. So, it is only right for a beginner, like myself, to find out all of this history. As I researched, I found out there are three waves of Feminism. The First Wave “spans from the 19th Century to the early twentieth century.”(Associated) Being the analytical person that I am I went into depth on the research of this “First Wave.” Here is some of the notes I found:
“Feminism began in the United Kingdom and the United States. The main focus was on de jure inequalities or officially mandated inequalities. [A few people considered] as feminists: Susan B. Anthony, Olympia Brown and Helen Pitts. Most people consider the first wave to have ended when the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed granting women the right to vote. Also, the First Wave included reforms in education, in the work place and professions, and in healthcare.”(Associated)
So, of course the first thing I noticed was that there is a lot of usage of the number nineteen, which is beside the point, but I thought it was interesting. Also, how does this First Wave help me come to a conclusion on my opinion of Feminism? I believe that with any and everything, we all should know the beginning, like where it started. The First Wave shows the struggle and the grand outcome. Next, we have the Second Wave. One person said, “Each wave is connected and dependent on the other’s history.” (Associated) Eagerly, I researched the Second Wave:
This is a “period of feminism beginning in the early 1960’s and extending through the late 1980’s. The main focus was de facto inequalities or unofficial inequalities, also felt that de jure and de facto inequalities were inextricably linked issues that needed to be addressed together if there was going to be any hope of change. This wave encouraged women to understand aspects of their personal lives and deeply politicized, and reflective of a sexists’ structure of power. The Key Word of this wave was education of women and of men. There were several major moments: The Feminine Mystique, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed, Formation of National Organization for Women and the rise of radical feminism during the 1970’s. (just to name a few) Some of the Key Players: Bella Azbug, Jo Freeman and Ann Simonton. Lastly, there was an undeniable idea that the Second Wave failed.”(Associated)
I took from the Second wave that they were focused on bringing the First Wave’s ideas in with their own, which shows Unity. And also, it was not just about women. They were fighting for men, also. As far as the education, they saw that everyone deserved to be equal in that area. This reminded me of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He not only fought for African Americans, but for everyone’s equal rights. So, that was interesting how those were connected in that aspect. Also, the “undeniable idea that the Second wave failed,” hit me hard. I am thinking, why would they continue if they knew they already failed? This gave me hope and understanding of how strong these ladies were. I just think of my generation. I believe that if we were faced with the same problem, there might have not been any waves, which is really sad, but extremely true. So, this leads to the last one, the Third Wave.
“It began in the early 1990’s and is continuing today. This wave was based as a response to the ‘believed’ failure of the Second Wave. It is also believed that this wave was in response to the backlash against initiatives and movements that were unexpectedly created by the second wave. Some of the important people were Judith Butler, Betty Dodson and Molly Yard.”(Associated)
Honestly, I did not take anything from the Third Wave. All I know is that Feminists just got back up and started kicking again.
After reviewing all of my research and hard work, I believe that Feminism is the fight for equal rights, not just women’s rights, but equal rights for everyone. The ladies from the past would probably be content with the movement’s progress, today, but there are more issues raised, that need to be addressed. Yes, being able to vote was important and still is taking affect, today, but what about equal pay? What about motherly rights? This is America, the land of the free, but does that just stand for men? The men would not be here if it was not for the women. It is time to take a stand.
Race plays a very big part in this. I believe that if all the women that were fighting for women’s rights, were white, then maybe the progress would be greater. I know that is biased thinking, but that is reality. hooks said it best at the beginning of her tenth chapter:
“No intervention changed the face of American feminism more than the demand that feminist thinkers acknowledge the reality of race and racism. All white women in this nation know that their status is different from that of black women/women of color…All white women in this nation know that whiteness is a privileged category. The fact that white females may choose to repress or deny this knowledge does not mean they are ignorant: it means that they are in denial.” (hooks, Chapter 10)
Everyone knows that white women have everything. They are on the televisions, 24/7, they are the lead roles and they never die first in the movies. Maybe women’s rights are not as important as rights among race. I know that is probably not the right attitude to have, but how can we focus on “Operation: women’s rights” with a “BUT” in the midst of the operation? Women need to have equal rights, but that is equal rights for Black and white women. There should not be that separation. When we can stand up and say we need equal rights for everyone, black, white, female, male, etc. then and only then, will America be in agreement with equality, as a whole.
I found this article interesting. It is explaining feminism in a way, I never thought about it. So, I wanted to include this conclusion from www.associatedcontent.com :
“In conclusion, feminism is not some simple thing that people can generalize, like it is just an excuse for women to kick men in the balls, and not take care of themselves, or that men and women must be equal at all costs. Feminism is a movement, which has been incredibly important to the success and failures of this country and has been a necessary journey for the women in our country to travel upon so that they can discover and create their own unique place in society.” (Associated)
And that is the end of my definition of feminism.
So, I believe that I am not a feminist because of my race. I believe that women’s rights are important, but I am an African American female in a White male dominated society. People see me as African American before they see me as a female. Many people make comments, such as, “Oh, there are black people at OU?” or “Black people struggle at OU and never graduate.” I do not want to be a statistic. I want to be above average. I want to make it out of Oklahoma, out of OU, out of this state of mind. Big dreams are at the top of priorities and I believe God has something in store for me. I just know it. And if I had to choose between race and gender, race would be at the top. I am not racist, no that is not the point. I love everyone! It is just that my ancestors fought for me to be able to get a grand education and to do something with my life. My motivation everyday is from the fact that my African American individuals wanted me to have a better future. Some died for me to be able to walk down the street, some were thrown into jail for me to be able to sit in this University and some even were beaten and spit on just for me to live today. I can not and will not let them down. Once again, Women’s rights are amazing. Go Women! But I have other things that make a difference in my life. I will make it. I will graduate. I want to be able to give back to my hometown and even uplift a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Charity by giving back to them. This is my mission. I am all about my business and I will not give up. I just can not. It is my time and it starts now!
Works cited:
Darraj, Susan Muaddi. Arab Feminism. 2002 Monthly Review Foundation, Inc.
hooks, bell. Feminism is for Everybody. Cambridge, MA. South End Press. Introduction.
hooks, bell. Feminism is for Everybody. Cambridge, MA. South End Press. Chapter 10.
Hull, Gloria T. All the Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, But Some of Us are Brave.
The Feminist Press. 1982.
Ryan, Michael.Asian Feminism.2008.
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