Feminism: A Multi-Wave Social Movement

[AtLast]

I know I am not alone in how feminism is treated within our community with considerable ignorance. From the time of the initial suffrage movement, feminist theory and ideology (its ever evolving Waves) has progressed with every new generation. It adapts and grows along with culture and always will. There are many schools of feminist thought and it transcends race as well as gender. In fact, it is responsible for the very gender theories many of us explore within the B-F dynamic. feminism has stood the test of time as a viable social movement that touches the world.

This thread is for feminist members to bring light to various schools/waves of feminist thought and how it influences our lives. It is NOT for perpetuating negative and unsubstantiated (as in related literature) myth concerning feminism. An example would be the false belief that feminism does not have (and has had for a very long time) prominent women of color contributors. Or that feminism is anti Butch-Femme. Yes, historically, these stances have some truth to them.... (yanno, like all stereotypes!) However, this just is no longer the case. The Second Wave of feminism is not the whole of the movement. Its time to banish that myth!

Feminism is indeed part of queer culture! It does not belong to women exclusively, it is and always has spoken to all genders and sexuality.

If feminism does not speak to you, that is fine, but, this really isn't a thread for you to post in. It is directed at members that do identify as feminists across every identity our community represents.

Sharing the thoughts/work of feminist women of color and newer, transgendered feminist theorists would be fantastic. Its all out there- let's bring it here for future generations!

[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

[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