Comments on: Why I’m not a feminist

By: Tarald

Tarald — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:14:04 +0000

I realize that feminism as an ideology/label is open, but I am tired of fighting for my space within it. And I am not that open myself. I disagree so heavily with some of the feminisms that I find it har to use the same label on me.

I don’t think this is my fight anymore.

By: madison

madison — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:34:41 +0000

indeed, a common criticism of feminism is that there is nothing BUT diversity among those that identify as feminists. i take your point but please realize that by disavowing the ‘feminist’ label, you are reinforcing its stigma as a dirty word among women today, thereby doing more harm than good for women. why not just say you’re a feminist who believes [insert your belief here]? there’s plenty of room for all opinions! this inclusiveness/ rejection of formulaic thinking is one of the most beautiful things about feminism!

By: rachelcervantes

rachelcervantes — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:13:59 +0000

I think it’s important to realize that there is diversity among feminists, too.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:16:18 +0000

ubuntucat:
Most feminists don’t believe that guys like Tarald and myself can identify as feminists anyway, but the minute we say ‘We are not feminists because:’ a bunch of you pop out of the woodwork to tell us that we are putting feminism in a box, and we are wrong about it.

Tarald: Nice post. I totally agree. Especially about putting my gender identity before the concept of sisterhood. The ’sisterhood’ turns on itself all the time. You only have to look as far as Twisty’s blog, or Michfest to see that.

By: ubuntucat

ubuntucat — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:48:39 +0000

I think you’re putting feminism in a box based on what some feminists believe.

By the logic of “some of this group espouse something I don’t believe in, so I don’t identify with this group,” you’d be hard-pressed to find any group to identify with.

There isn’t a “feminism as a whole” that I’ve seen.

By: key

key — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:15:23 +0000

I like the way you’ve thought about this. I guess I can relate, since I don’t feel like the “race” battle is my battle, nor do I feel any more victimized than anyone else (despite what people may say).

There are definitely threads in feminist philosophy that take into account the sort of complaints you have, but it is also hard for them to get distance from the silly sort of “female values” you’ve mentioned.

Thanks for this.