Is Feminism Bad?

There was a Slut Walk in DC this past weekend.  I have an uncomfortable itch discussing the topic of a Slut Walk in the same post as feminism, but that itch is because I am quite sure that some people think the two have to go hand in hand.  A Slut Walk, if you don't know, is a rally or protest to eradicate harassment and that women are what they wear. That is it not OK to harass or assault a person based on the length of their skirt or the amount of cleavage they are displaying. 

That's not feminism. That is being a decent human being.  No one deserves to be raped, harassed or violated based on what they wear or how they look.  Trust me, I've been grabbed in the crotch before and I was wearing a sweater and a pair of black pants.  There was nothing about that outfit that said, "Go ahead! Feel my box up!  I would just adore that, please!"  Ugh.

So Feminism. Is it bad?  When I say this, I don't mean are equal rights bad, but is it considered bad to be a feminist in this day and age due to a misconception about what a feminist really is?  Do you consider yourself a feminist?  Before you go and start squirming and say things like, "I'm not a bitch!"  "I ain't no lesbian."  or "Feminist hate men! I like them!"  So do I and yet I am a card carrying feminist (if we had cards to carry.  Though an eye patch might be kind of rad.) I am raising a passel of like-minded feminist girls.  I was raised by two feminists and one of them is a dude.

When I hear young women declaring that they aren't feminists it makes me sad.  Have they been taught nothing about the Suffragist movement?  Do they even know who Gloria Steinem or Betty Friedan are?  Have they never heard of the Guerrilla Girls? Often the answer to these questions is no.  I think, "Do you really value yourself so little that you think you are a second class citizen? That you are not equal to a man?"  That makes me angry and distraught that perhaps this isn't a part of history being taught to both sexes.  It's all history and a valuable lesson that should not lose its way or meaning. 

Being a feminist is the idea that men and women are deserving of the same rights.  We offer up a myriad of strengths and yes, weaknesses and that is OK.  We are not the same but we should be treated equally and have the same opportunities, benefits and pay. It's about having the same political, economic and social rights.  It's not about hating men and wanting to dominate every situation.  Though, if you do want to dominate every situation, that's cool.

As a feminist I don't believe that one person should receive a raise just because someone else on the job did who didn't perform as well. Be it two women, a woman and a man or two men. They didn't do the job equally as well so why pay that way? That's not what I am saying. Women do deserve to have the same pay as men, especially when starting out in a job. I can't tell you how many times I started a job at the same time as a guy and he got paid more or later his raise was higher despite a lackluster performance with the excuse, "He has a family to support." WOW. Didn't I just practically birth part of the family that I support right in my cubicle? Guess that doesn't count. But it does and should and if you think that same way, then you my dear, are a feminist.


And it's not a bad thing. It's really, really, good.

Being a feminist is not the same as being a liberal.  You don't have to be Vegan or a Vegetarian and wear hemp.  I like black nail polish, but not because I'm a feminist.  It makes me foaming at the mouth angry when women declare, quite proudly and staunchly, that they are not feminist (as if it is a bad tasting word that needs to be spit out of their mouth quickly) because they (a. believe in God b.) don't believe in abortion or c.) are conservative in political beliefs in general.  My response each time is always the same.  I bite my tongue, smile and point out that is all totally fine.  You don't have to be a liberal. You don't have to be Pro-Choice. You can believe in any religion you want.  I am a Christian, after all.  You just have to believe that we all deserve the same rights politically, socially, and economically. We are all human beings and should all be treated as such.  Respect.  It is what it is all about.

The beauty of being a feminist, in my mind, is that we respect each others choices.  What works for some, doesn't work for others and that is fine. It is what makes us different and lets the world evolve into such a unique space.  Just because a woman stays home with or without kids doesn't mean she isn't a feminist.  You can get married or not.  You can have kids or not.  You can work or not.  As a feminist you simply believe that it is your choice.  You have the right, just like a man, to make that choice.  To not be a second-class citizen.  To vote, own property and not be abused because someone wrongly thinks you are inferior.

I don't believe feminism is bad.  I believe that the media's warped, let's put everything into a box, idea of what a feminist looks and acts like is bad.  I believe many of us are not thinking for ourselves these days but just looking at stereotypes being fed to us and running with them. Our ideas are not fully formed and thought through entirely clearly.  We are not letting ourselves think through them for whatever reason because it is easier not to.  We like our fast food.  We like our ideas fed to us too.  Maybe some would consider me an old-school Suffragist.  But I consider myself a Feminist.

Do you? 



Oh look! There's a feminist now.

On Women & History- Lucy Burns

The third week in this installment for Women's History month is all about Lucy Burns, a woman I hold close to my heart.  Part of her history is local to me and my family and the arrival of The Comedian.  Her story and personality ring so true with me that we named our feisty middle child after her. 

LUCY BURNS- Born in 1879 Burns received her education stateside and abroad studying at universities like Columbia, Vassar and Oxford University just to name a few.  Supported and financed by her father Lucy was able to continue her education far beyond most women of her day.  While in England she met Emmeline Pankhurst and began working within the world of women's rights and activism. Arrested for disorderly conduct on a London street corner Burns was brought to a police station where she met Alice Paul, another leading Suffragist.  Together they worked as a highly functioning and balanced team in Europe and most notably in the US fighting for the rights of women.

Lucy Burns is most commonly known for being one of the first women arrested while picketing in front of the White House as well as the Suffragist who was arrested the most times.  After being arrested for a third time and sent to the Occoquan Workhouse Burns showed that no matter what she would not back down.  After years of tireless work with Suffragists like Alice Paul and trying to obtain the women's right to vote, jail time was not going to stop Burns.  Guards force fed her through a feeding tube.  It took five people to hold her down and they still couldn't get the tube into her mouth and resorted to shoving it up her nostril.  Guards even handcuffed her hands above her head and left her in this position for an entire night, later called the Night of Terror.  Fellow female prisoners stood by Burns and supported her that night. 

Author Doris Stevens wrote about Burns in her book Jailed for Freedom stating, "Her talent as an orator is of the kind that makes for instant intimacy with her audience."  Burns tirelessly fought alongside Alice Paul and other Suffragists right to the very end when women were finally given the right to vote in 1919.  It was a long, arduous battle that had Burns arrested six times.  She was a fiery speaker with diplomatic ways, a militant Suffragist who was a pivotal figure in the National Women's Party (NWP).  Her red hair matched her her charming disposition. 

After the Amendment passed, Burns decided to retire from working with the NWP and devoted her life to working with Catholic Charities.  She died in New York surrounded by family in 1966.  In our house I believe I see those same steadfast, charming and fiery traits coming out in her namesake. 



*Images from brynmawr.edu and theedwardians.blogspot.com

On Women & History- Emily Edson Briggs

March is Women's History month and each Friday I am showcasing a woman who has made her mark on history.  For more amazing stories on women who are working right now and blazing their own incredible trails through history check out this week's Newsweek magazine.

Without further ado, I give you-

Emily Edson Briggs- the first female correspondent for the White House.  Born in Ohio in 1830 Emily grabbed attention as a major national journalist in her day.  Using the pseudonym "Olivia" Briggs first wrote a letter to her local paper.  In it she described her dismay over the papers attacks on women and their inefficient facts regarding the women who were working as government clerks.  Her intensity and depth on the subject impressed the editor of the paper and he gave her a weekly column.  Briggs own husband wrote about political trends and she often accompanied him to the Lincoln White House where she became an ardent observer of the social and political times. 

Over time Emily became known for her spot on reporting of the Washington climate and was the first female reporter to use a telegraph to give up to the minute news to the nation.  Known for her sharp and witty writing style she became president of the Women's National Press Association (established in 1882) and was one of the first women admitted to the Congressional Press Gallery as well.

Known for a style all her own and an ability to see minute details on a larger scale Briggs made it possible for other female reporters to work within the Washington system.  If you think about it, without Briggs, Helen Thomas might not have existed.