1. Yes I do identify as a feminist but I am at times reluctant to use that label. I prefer the liberal definition of the word which strives for equal opportunities for everyone.
2. I have mixed feelings about the label. “Feminism” is one word that has been deliberately demonized and tarnished. It’s been deliberately subverted by design, and politically targeted so that people are reluctant to use it. If I use the word, I’m careful to use it in front of people who have a similar idea to what my definition of feminism means. We see this demonization happen now with the words ‘liberal’ and ‘progressive.’ People switch their labels so as not to be judged. I don’t think this is as easy for ‘feminism.’
3. I think it would be helpful if more men/young men would feel more comfortable if not identifying with the word, then enacting what that would suggest. This would mean trying to work as closely as possible with women/ not holding them back. The idea that feminism benefits men is a tenet of liberal feminism but is not repeated enough. Men are reluctant to identify with it. They stand to benefit from the values. The better they understand it, the better off they will be. We’re looking at something like a demographic feminist crisis in this generation: there are way more women going to college but they prefer to date men who have the same education as they do. This will be impossible in years to come if the trend follows. It will be interesting to see what happens with relationship shaping in years to come.
4. I want to say it can have a pretty big impact, but blogging in general has changed perceptions of things. In the past, people who needed to react to something would have either done nothing or written in a journal and no one would have seen it. Readership is important. I think people are reading them - not a huge number - but people who do read them get a dedicated niche of readers. Who are drawn to the personal of blogs. Plus, if readers choose to comment, they know their voice will be heard, as opposed to people who, for example, write letters to the editor.
5. It seems like right now the word is a bit of a blank slant for projection. This can be a bad thing but also good. It is interesting to think about whether or not people like Sarah Palin or Lady Gaga or Madonna is or is not a feminist. I think we should continue the discussion of what the term means and how or why some people would fit into that and how it can be articulated.
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