What is feminism? According to the Merriam-Webster online
dictionary, feminism is the “belief in and advocacy of the political, economic,
and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized
activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.” It’s a powerful definition
that highlights the importance of organized efforts to advance women’s rights.
However, for me, feminism should be a movement led by women, for women. There’s
a fundamental need for every feminist to recognize that not all women start
from the same place in the fight for equality.
When we dive into the history of feminism, one often thinks
of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. It’s the history we’re taught in the U.S.
public education system, a movement that fought for women’s right to vote.
Figures like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the leading activists
of Women’s Suffrage, primarily focused on securing voting rights for white
women.
It’s important to acknowledge the tensions that existed
between the movement to ratify the 19th Amendment and the movement to ratify
the 15th Amendment had pushed Anthony and Stanton to take such a stance. The
debates centered on which movement had more importance. It wasn’t until the
passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act that all
women were finally granted the right to vote. It took over 40 years and
separate movements to achieve this.
Even today, we witness instances where white feminists
may unintentionally hinder the progress of feminism, sometimes leaving women of
color behind. During a lecture in my JOUR 4250 class, we discussed how public
figures like Amy Schumer have developed a kind of blindness to the impact of
their “jokes” on other women. She believes that being a feminist grants her
immunity, even when the humor is centered around certain minority groups. But
even after her jokes have been pointed out to be insensitive, she continues with
them.
Another example of this issue can be found in celebrities
like Taylor Swift, who is often seen as a feminist icon. However, it’s crucial
to recognize that even prominent figures can sometimes misuse feminism. Swift,
at times, seems to use feminism as a weapon. She engages in “clapbacks” to
those who criticize her, but her activism sometimes appears selective, focusing
only on issues that align with her narrative.
Amy Schumer and Taylor Swift are just two examples of a more
extensive problem. I’ve encountered many individuals who share similar thoughts
and ideas. I’ve even been labeled a “fake feminist” because I don’t always
agree with what some white feminists claim is right.
In my view, feminism extends beyond what the law dictates.
It’s about ensuring that women have the same opportunities and choices as men.
It’s about recognizing that the feminist movement should be inclusive and that
achieving true gender equality requires collaboration and awareness of the
unique challenges faced by different groups of women.
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