Feminism: A Multi-Wave Social Movement

[AtLast]

Black American feminist bibliography- References date back to the nineteenth century when African American women like Maria Stewart, Anna Julia Cooper and Sojourner Truth challenged the conventions and mores of their era to speak publicly against slavery and in support of black women's rights.

http://www.library.ucsb.edu/subjects...roduction.html

A Transgender Place in Feminism, Tonick, Shawna-

http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/handle/1813/12580

Transsexual Feminism and Transgender Politicization
By Jessica Xavier -
http://www.annelawrence.com/twr/tsfeminism.html

[Liam]

From Shawna Tonick's abstract:

"Transgender people face a variety of issues in terms of gaining acceptance and civil rights in our society. They are often mistreated and harassed, face workplace discrimination, have difficulty obtaining appropriate medical attention, and are victims of hate violence, to name a few. Many of the issues that transgender people face are also issues confronting feminists. This project examines how transgender people and transgender rights fit into the goals of feminism, including some of the feminist backlash toward transgender people. Some radical feminists seem to believe that transgender people are simply enforcing our society's gender roles or using a transgender identity to "infiltrate" the women's movement. However, these beliefs are harmful to both transgender people and feminism; it is more beneficial for transgender people and feminists to work towards common goals together."

Emphasis is mine.

[2myladyblue]

Great thread, Atlast! This very topic has been on my mind quite a bit, but I'll be back to get more into that. Gotta eat!
~Blue

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Liam

From Shawna Tonick's abstract:

"Transgender people face a variety of issues in terms of gaining acceptance and civil rights in our society. They are often mistreated and harassed, face workplace discrimination, have difficulty obtaining appropriate medical attention, and are victims of hate violence, to name a few. Many of the issues that transgender people face are also issues confronting feminists. This project examines how transgender people and transgender rights fit into the goals of feminism, including some of the feminist backlash toward transgender people. Some radical feminists seem to believe that transgender people are simply enforcing our society's gender roles or using a transgender identity to "infiltrate" the women's movement. However, these beliefs are harmful to both transgender people and feminism; it is more beneficial for transgender people and feminists to work towards common goals together."

Emphasis is mine.

Hey, Liam!

It feels to me like this is actually starting to happen. I don't know if this is evident in areas that are away from more urban and more queer oriented regions. Hope so....


This statement by Tonick :

Some radical feminists seem to believe that transgender people are simply enforcing our society's gender roles or using a transgender identity to "infiltrate" the women's movement. ;

smacks of what many B-F folks went through during the Second Wave... (and unfortunately today within some segments of radical or separatist feminists) interesting now as theorists are applying it to trans issues and relationships. Separatists and radical feminists will always be around, yet, I see change in the larger movement.

As more and more younger queers put their brand on things, more change is certain to come. And actually, I feel (hopeful, anyway) that the real issues involving sexism as it really hinges on gender discrimination in total will be worked through.

I know, I can be idealistic, but, I just have to look at structural oppression in terms of non-trans white-male privilege across the board in all of this. But, have a lot more to study and decide about with newer literature, so I hope other members post lots of links!

The other thing that is on my mind concerning transphobia and sexism within the outside world (meaning outside the queer world) is how much of it stems from a Transman being born female (thus, will always be a female to sexist bigots) and with MtF’s choosing to be female (the predominant myth being that they are choosing, because they are not recognized as real females. All the real stuff plays into this, I think. I really haven’t talked to many transpeople about this in any kind of depth, so, I wonder how they feel about this (again, hoping posts will emerge!!). I can only guess, personally.

Ugh... I might get a headache thinking about all of this... and I have so much more to ponder!

[AtLast]

http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/wlm/racesex/

RACISM and SEXISM

A COLLECTIVE STRUGGLE: A MINORITY WOMAN'S POINT OF VIEW

By Valerie Russell

[AtLast]

4th Wave feminism link. But, would love other links!

http://www.ifeminists.net/introducti...104granju.html

[AtLast]

Feminism's Fourth Wave
Women are doing nearly everything men do, but...
November 4, 2003
by Katie Allison Granju


Last year, during the U.S. assault on the Taliban in Afghanistan, my seven-year old daughter, Jane seemed truly puzzled by the photos of Afghani women that dominated the news. Why, she wanted to know, did those women want to wear clothing that covered them from head to toe? Weren't they hot? How could they run or even smile at other people? Why weren't there ever interviews on television with any Afghani women? What was meant when it was said that now, women and girls in that country could read and write again?

I explained to Jane about the cultural and religious restrictions faced by these particular mothers and daughters, and she listened, mouth hanging open in vivid disbelief. She peppered me with questions about every aspect of the lives of Afghanistan's female population, and seemed utterly astounded when I told her that there are actually many places and cultures around the world in which girls cannot go to school; choose what they will wear or whom they will marry; own property; or vote.

As sad as it made me to explain the state of so many of the world's women to the most important girl in my life, I realized that the fact that Jane found this information so incomprehensible represented something very positive. The environment in which my daughter is growing into adulthood is one in which she sees few, if any restrictions on what is possible for her. Her American girlhood is very different from the one in which I came of age only a few decades ago.

When I was Jane's age, my working, feminist mother was an anomaly among the women I knew, and my parents had to make a conscious effort to be sure I understood that, although most doctors, police officers, and engineers were men, this didn't mean that "only" men could hold these jobs. My parents had to be ever-vigilant to protect both their daughters from being held back by unfair and sexist limitations, and they worked to be sure that we were exposed to art, music, and great ideas by women. They ensured that we had "Free to Be You and Me" books and records around the house, and a lifetime subscription to Ms. Magazine in our mailbox.

Today, however, the world has changed enough that parents don't have to make these kinds of special efforts to promote a sense of equality and possibility in our young daughters. Basic feminist consciousness has become an organic part of our culture, and we are all the better for it.

My third grade girl gets her news and information from terrific female journalists, and she is personally acquainted with women lawyers, priests, doctors, firefighters, farmers, athletes, social workers, and artists. Jane is an aggressive and successful competitor in her own chosen sport, and she enjoys listening to music by everyone from 'tween queen Hilary Duff to riot-grrls Sleater-Kinney.

Unlike my own parents, I do not feel compelled to pontificate on the wrong-headedness of rigid gender roles every time I see Jane playing with her dolls. I'm confident that she understands clearly that motherhood is not incompatible with professional achievement or civic engagement.

Also different from my own childhood as the daughter of '70s "women's libbers," Jane and her friends don't seem to feel any conflict between their femininity and their power. When I was a little girl, equality often meant trying to act or look like the little boys. Jane, however, is growing up in a pop culture infused with grrl-power -- from the Powerpuff Girls to Jessica Lynch. I observe her and her little friends playing superheroes, but their superheroes proudly wear sparkly pink capes as they save the world.

While all of this progress is terrific, I also recognize that my daughter is growing up in a society where women still earn less money than men for performing the same work; where women continue to live in realistic, ever-present fear of sexual assault; and where girls are still too often discouraged from studying math or science. There is still work ahead for her generation of rising young feministas. But as I watch her playing things like "President Barbie solves the Mideast peace crisis" with her friends, I feel hopeful.


Katie Allison Granju lives in Knoxville and is the mother of three children. She is the author of Attachment Parenting (Simon and Schuster, 1999) and her website is www.locoparentis.blogspot.com. This article first appeared in Metro Pulse Online.

[2myladyblue]

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n1L9tCSCUo&feature=related"]YouTube- Alix Olson on feminism[/nomedia]

[2myladyblue]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Separatists and radical feminists will always be around, yet, I see change in the larger movement.

I'm not even sure anymore what the larger feminist movement is, nevermind what they're doing...there just seems to be so much division. My concern is that our society is often seen as "post-feminist" as if there is no longer any relevance to feminism despite all the inequalities that still remain in North America and around the world. I know too many people who still see feminism as the other F-word...they seem to prefer to describe themselves as humanists or socialists. (IMO)

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

As more and more younger queers put their brand on things, more change is certain to come. And actually, I feel (hopeful, anyway) that the real issues involving sexism as it really hinges on gender discrimination in total will be worked through.

One can hope...I am encouraged to see the validation and acceptance of fluidity throughout the queer community (& hopefully rippling outward).

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

The other thing that is on my mind concerning transphobia and sexism...I really haven’t talked to many transpeople about this in any kind of depth, so, I wonder how they feel about this (again, hoping posts will emerge!!). I can only guess, personally.

One of the most inspiring womyn I have ever met was Kate Bornstein, a transwoman (& a radical, lesbian feminist to boot!). Hyr Gender Workbook is full of information, exercises and thoughts to explore these issues and I can't recommend it highly enough for ANYone! Check hyr out at www.katebornstein.com

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Ugh... I might get a headache thinking about all of this... and I have so much more to ponder!

And we have so much to discuss, so I'm also hoping more voices will join in...& again...thank you for this thread!

~Blue

[Soon]

Feminism of the Future Relies on Men

[blush]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Feminism of the Future Relies on Men

This was a very interesting article. I just can't agree with it, though.

I don't think that relying on men to give up their privilege is the best course of action. I certainly have known several men who were more feminist than I am, but to trust men in our social structure to jump on the feminist bandwagon and give up their privilege is asking a bit much.

For me, when I start seeing
-a men's magazines devoted itself to staying attractive, dieting, self-help, cleaning products and fashion
-a TV station "for women" that doesn't focus on weddings, houswives, and birthing stories
-men (as the rule instead of the exception) using cleaning products in an ad
-shaving ads for men that treat men like incompetent boobs who can't handle a "safety" razor
then I'll know we might have a chance at changing our social structure.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Feminism of the Future Relies on Men

Sending this to my son! Who actually will agree that men do have to give up privilege. There are many feminist men. However, what the article brings to me is the old theory vs. practice paradigm. I think blush puts a good spin on this.

Sure, men doing so would move mountains, but, I just don't see it happening. Then, again, just maybe not in my lifetime. I sure hope someone gets a woo message to me somehow if this does happen....

[blush]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Sending this to my son! Who actually will agree that men do have to give up privilege. There are many feminist men. However, what the article brings to me is the old theory vs. practice paradigm. I think blush puts a good spin on this.

Sure, men doing so would move mountains, but, I just don't see it happening. Then, again, just maybe not in my lifetime. I sure hope someone gets a woo message to me somehow if this does happen....

Any movement needs allies (like your son). What stuck in my craw about the article was the word "rely." I don't think the message of the article, by and large, wasn't without merit.

It did pique my interest in Iceland. I did a google search and found this:
ICELAND SEX INDUSTRY

It's interesting to me that the success of feminism in Iceland is not attributed to men yielding their power, but to the constant efforts of feminism.