Why Be A Feminist?

by Jen Nedeau · 2008-10-23 09:22:00 UTC
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You may have heard rumors that feminism is dead.

Well, I can tell you based on my research, observations and beliefs that this is simply not true: feminism is not dead. There is still a great need for women to speak up, speak out and be recognized as equals.

As long as there are women who face misogynistic attacks from the media; who face rape but the rapists don't face trial; who are told they are not beautiful unless they are thin; who are paid less than their male counterparts; who are seen as less instead of as more; who are beaten by husbands, boyfriends and fathers; who are unable to receive health care; who cannot escape the confirms of heteronormativity; who are educated to be nurses instead of doctors, teachers instead of engineers, secretaries instead of elected officials; until these and more realities facing women around the world disappear, feminism will remain.

Feminism is not dead. But where it is going is hard to define, which is why we need to constantly have a collective conversation about it's relevance, definition and goals.

Echidne of the Snakes has decided to start a series on her blog about why she is a feminist. While she isn't trying to make any definitive statements, she is trying to create a conversation.

She writes: "Why am I doing this? Because I have learned that those very basics have become so obscured that many men and women no longer see them at all, no longer regard sexism a problem and no longer think that misogyny is a serious matter. I learned this during many recent discussions about Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin, about sexism and racism in politics and about the post-feminist era we supposedly now inhabit." Check out her first few posts here: The Right To Go Out; The Planet Of The Guys. Oh, With Gals, Too, Naturally; Our Father Who Art In Heaven.

As I go forward with this blog, I hope to continue the conversation about the relevancy of feminism. But for now, let's find out a few things -

Why are you a feminist?

Or, if you can't stomach the label, why aren't you?

Jen Nedeau Jen Nedeau is a media relations professional and a writer based in New York City.
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