Before I jump in, I want to make clear that this is a short introduction to the first 2 waves of American feminism. I wanted it to be an engaging and interesting read. If you’re interested in learning more, just reach out and I’ll send resources and more information! Also, if you see "womxn" and are confused, it's a way to be inclusive of trans women! Alright, let’s get started.
There’s a common sentiment, especially on social media, that feminism has morphed into something that is “too much.” There’s a lot to unpack in this idea. First, address their complete misunderstanding. Yes, feminism has become extremely widespread and prominent. But is the movement bad? The flaws in the movement result from people who don’t do their research and don’t fully understand the ideas. To be clear, this can include both people who identify as feminists and those who do not. History classes have not helped. Let’s dive in. The first wave of feminism (1850-1940) was extremely flawed in that it was not intersectional and it was rooted in racism. The overarching ideals were, and still are, equal rights, like the vote and other legal rights that many take for granted today. However, the victories they achieved were largely only victories for white women. Recognizing that advocating for women of color may slow their cause, this era of feminism became extremely white-centric. Many WOC activists, particularly black and Asian frontliners, were pushed out of the movement. The first wave was simply not inclusive, and it only brought about basic rights for white women, many of whom were opposed to the movement in the first place. The second wave (1960s-80s) focused more on systemic oppression and social objectification of women. Issues such as reproductive freedom, education equality, the wage gap, patriarchal values, and sexist power structures were central to the movement. It’s important to note that while more inclusive than the initial wave, this movement was not entirely intersectional. The major issue with this movement was that it again divided women, which counteracts the idea of feminism. It exemplified the idea of “white feminism,” overlooking the additional struggles faced by women of color. In addition, many interpreted the staunch confidence of these feminists as if they looked down on women who did desire to live as wives, mothers, and housewives. Their condescending manner and lack of recognition of the layers of identity were problematic. So what about feminism now? Well, this is the first truly intersectional and global movement that is inclusive of all forms of gender identity, race, sexuality, ability, age, class, and religion. Though based on the same overarching principle of equality, it encompasses a range of issues from sexual violence to beauty standards. Most importantly, it does not tell womxn what to believe or desire. Rather, it supports what womxn want for themselves, and it demands that those who do not identify as female support womxn as well, promoting the idea that feminism is truly for everybody and should no longer be considered something radical and divisive. Because equality, no matter who you are, is not a radical idea. So, when someone tells you they wish feminism would go back to what it “used to be,” you may want to ask them exactly what they mean and what they’ve misunderstood. Help them recognize that they are contradicting themselves by saying that they support women and equal rights but don’t identify as feminists.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Neha SaggiFounder and director of LeadHERship. Archives
March 2021
Categories |