Tuesday, February 5, 2008
What does a feminist look like?
What image comes to mind when you hear the word "feminist"? I asked all of the students in my women's studies classes to draw a picture of a feminist -- either what they think a feminist looks like, or what they think most people think a feminist looks like. These are a few of the pictures (click on the images to view a larger version). How do these images compare to the explanation of feminism on the Feminism 101 blog? Would you call yourself a feminist? Why or why not?
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7 comments:
In the past, I wouldn't have called myself a feminist, even though I believed women and men should be treated equally. I assumed in order to be considered a feminist you had to belong to a group or movement and be an activist. Now I think that someone can still be considered a feminist, even if they aren't part of an activist group/movement.
The majority of the pictures shown represent a stereotype for feminist. I think a lot of people wouldn't label themselves as feminists because they misunderstand what it means. I believe that most people think that feminists can only be women who are lesbians that hate men, which is ridiculous.
From reading the introductory essays on explanation of feminism, I can't see how the feminist stereotype was created. But the blog was based on facts, not based on people's opinions, assumptions, or interpretations; which is what creates stereotypes.
These images correlate with the explanation of the feminist stereotype in the blog "Feminism Freshens Up, Gets Glamorous", which is included in the responses to "What is Feminism?".
-Lauren Percudani
Before, I took this class, I had a different concept about a feminist, though it was partly true. I used to think that feminist was that person who fights for the women's rights and who makes a group or organisation of women to fight for their rights.
I think, I was partly right, because feminist believes in the equity. But I got to know that to be a feminist, we dont have to make a group or come to the street. Everyone can be a feminist, whether a man or woman. Anyone who believes thata women is completely equal to man in all prospective can be a feminist.Those stereotype of feminist are the complete explanation of feminist. Though, I am a man, I will still proudly say, I am a feminist.
Pravin Paudel
Before I took this class I waas totally nieve to the whole feminism thing. I never actually thought about what it meant or who actually were feminists. I just believed feminists to be sophisticated, upper class women, like Hilary Clinton. I believed feminists were all about politics and nothing more. After being in this class and learning more about feminism I am realizing that anyone can be a feminist. Before if someone were to ask me if I was a feminist I would have said no. If someone were to ask me now I would have to answer yes because I do believe with many of the things feminists have been arguing for.
The majority of these images portray the typical negative stereotypes of feminism perpetuated by the media, our society, and even occasionally religious organizations. If you take the time to examine feminism, you can easily see that these stereotypes don't portray what feminism is about or what feminists are like. Bra-burning never actually happened. Feminism is about equality between the sexes, not about degrading, exploiting, or oppressing men. Sure, some feminists are angry (and I think most people would be if they examined the inequalities perpetuated by both our society and others around the globe; read "Backlash: America's Undeclared War Against Women" by Susan Faludi, feminism is still important, relevant, and necessary.) Hairy legs? Lesbians? What's the big deal?
I do identify as a feminist and I'm not ashamed or embarrassed to say it. I believe in equality, regardless of sex, which is the simplest way to sum up feminism. When I let others know I'm a feminist, I challenge their beliefs about feminists and feminism. I can engage them in discussions about feminist issues and educate them about what feminism really is.
Before even taking the class or drawing the picture I had no idea what to expect, after seeing all the pictures, I realize that it is not what it seems. My view of a feminist had changed drastically and I would even consider myself to be one now.
Those pictures represent what the media shows us to be feminist. Now that I have a better understanding of what "feminist" means I think that maybe 99% of all women would be feminist if they truly knew what it meant.
This is a hard question to answer. I have a clear view of what a feminist is, now that the class has come to an end. And I was so very wrong with my assumptions coming into the class! When I think of being a mom, and staying at home to clean and cook and run errands, I LOVE IT. There seems to be no better "job." Maybe some girls are just born to do so? I am a nanny and so I call myself a "paid stay at home mom". On the other hand, through out the semester I've watched a variety of films that made me so angry. I never realized how much women are critized and looked down on and harrased. I do truly believe women can do anything men can do (if not more) and now that I have a better understanding of what feminist believe in, yes, maybe I am one.
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