Poll: Are you a feminist?

[sqbr]

So, I've always had a certain amount of interest in women's rights, but always felt a bit put off by feminism for reasons I couldn't articulate. I eventually decided to dig a bit and either get over it or figure out what the problem was. In the process I've become convinced of two things:
(a) I am a feminist, and feminism still has a lot of important work left to do
(b) There are a bunch of things I don't really like about the feminist movement as it actually works

And I got curious about you guys experiences and identities.


If you're not sure what the definition of "feminist" is, well... afaict there isn't a completely agreed upon one, but here's a bunch, afaict the consensus is along the lines of "Thinking society deals with gender in a way that, on balance, harms women, and that this should be corrected".

[Poll #1169959]

I'm especially interested in women who don't identify as feminist: do you have an issue with feminism, or do you think it's ok but just don't see any particular need to identify yourself that way? Other people's povs (including mens!) are also welcome, though.

And yes, vegetus, this does give you leave to rant a bit :) Though I would remind everyone to be civil, openminded, and tolerant. Keep in mind that we have some very different POVs here, any one of which will probably strike at least one person as Wrong And Dumb. Please take any narky arguments outside and try not to start any!

As for myself, well, you can see my (mixed) opinions on this lj. ithiliana's post Racism Imbroglios, White Feminist Bloggers, RWOC, and deja vu inspired me to make this poll, I particularly liked the line:

Within feminist discourse sisterhood became simultaneously an unquestioned assumption, an unexamined bond, and a mode of controlling behavior and containing difference.

Comments

[callistra.livejournal.com]

But I am pondering it very seriously, because I think you are doing really important stuff, and one thing I can offer is a critical perspective :)

Yes, I completely agree. Your view (and every one's, really) is unique (and while every one's is unique, yours has touched some issues Babalon and I have been working on.) So even if you choose not to come (and please do, because there is a huge financial risk this year and I underwrite it completely out of John's money *grin*) I'd like to have your input and suggestions.

One of the things I find endlessly fascinating is how uncomfortable Femmeconne and Gynaecon make people. It's not like we're sitting around going "we hate all men, all men are rapists, let's take over the world," and yet people think we do. (I know you don't, but others do.) And Gynaecon has usually been an all-gendered space.

We are aware, however, that we've got a very educated middle class white pool of experience at our fingertips, and we're like to broaden that somewhat more.

I want to talk this year about the future of Femmeconne, whether there is a 4, 5, and 6, and also about the mini-Femmeconne idea. I have a venue, and thinking of having a one day conference, 45 minutes panels, and lunch provided type of thing. This would be welcome for all sexes, however I don't expect we'll actually get very men at all.

And I feel a bit worried about trying to nut out what bugs me about it since I don't want to hurt you guys feelings (or have you get narky at me! I'm a big coward :))

If you can't figure it out, we can't decide whether it's an issue that needs fixing or whether it's an issue we need to move past. You have every right to feel as you do, and as an event organizer where I *am*hoping to change the world in tiny ways, I need your input to ensure you're comfortable, happy, and getting what you want. We won't get narky at you (and if we do, we'll step away until the emotions die down and then return to the issue later, cos email is a godsend, I promise) and I ask for both negative and positive feedback after every Femmeconne. Have you read the community? If you like, I can link to posts where we ask people to whine and rave. Nothing is ever perfect. :-)

[alias_sqbr]

By the community do you mean femmeconne? Because I'm on that.

I guess I'm worried that I'll poke at the issues and get all critical and eventually realise that it all boils down to me just not being comfortable around large groups of women or something. Still, no way to find out without poking I guess :)

As for the scariness factor: some of it is I think the geeky fear/distrust of anything that has even a whiff of exclusiveness or elitism. Also the danger of going in with good intentions and being told you're an Evil Sexist. And lets face it, a lot of the beliefs of well meaning people are pretty sexist, and if they go to a gynaecon panel that'll probably be pointed out, and that's kind of scary.

[strangedave.livejournal.com]

I'd certainly consider attending a femmeconne event that was open to men.

[callistra.livejournal.com]

Excellent! I'll hit you up for some discussion about it once I have sorted out some more stuff in my head.
:-)