Feminism -

What is a Feminist?

What does Feminism mean to you?

"You believe in equality? That women shouldn’t be beaten up or raped? That we should be treated as autonomous human beings capable of making decisions for ourselves? Yes? Good. You’re a feminist. Deal. "

— Jessica Valenti, We Don’t Need Another Wave (2006).

"What is the difference between a feminist and human rights activist? 

None in my book. I'm a feminist, indigenous rights advocate, environmentally concerned person and all about social justice" (yahoo).

"Feminism is, quite simply, the belief that women are equal to men. You don’t have to go out and throw out your bras, stand on picket lines, stop shaving your legs, toss out your make-up, hate men, or stop enjoying “girly” things to be a feminist. (But you can if you want to.) Feminism takes that belief of equality, and works toward obtaining it" (blogspot).

"Feminism is challenging harmful media representations of women: Women in the media are more often that not, skinny, white, and attractive. 

Minorities are severely underrepresented, and while depicted often 

conform to “white” beauty standards" (blogspot).

 

“I think feminism is empowering women to be independent, confident, smart individuals. It is valuing the beauty and equality of women through the perspective of an individual who truly respects women. Feminism is not a crazy women cult idea, it is an everyday action to stand up and endorse the characteristics of individuals, and discredit the female gender acting as a classification of the stereotypical nature.”
-Natalie, age 17

 

“I think feminism is I guess being a girl or acting girly. Girl power!”
-Sarah, age 13

  

“I think feminism is, as a woman, standing up for yourself, what you believe in, and the ability to respect and appreciate yourself.”
-Emily, age 16

"I'm honestly not completely sure and haven't thought about a definition too much, but I'd say feminism is the passionate belief that females should be considered equal both socially and politically in society."
-Izzer, age 16

"To me, Feminism is the belief that all women deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. We are all humans and regardless of a person's sex, gender identity, color, belief, or sexual orientation, everyone deserves to be treated with ethical equality."

-Tessa, age 20 

"This isn't to say that we shouldn't continue to dispel the myths of what "feminist" means or that we should have contempt for women who haven't been exposed to

feminism and therefore have only stereotypes to rely on. But we do need to take a

more hardline approach in defending feminism-it's time to stop screwing around and

fully embrace the word" (Valenti/Berger).

Feminism deals with Women's Rights concerning

• Traditional Labor Issues
• Access to health care
• LGBT civil rights
• Challenging harmful media representations of women
• Gender equality in education
• Equal opportunities
• Fair wages for women
• Violence Against Women
• Political, economic, cultural, and social rights for women

References:

 

Valenti, Jessica. "You're a Feminist. Deal." In Berger, Melody. We Don't Need Another Wave: Dispatches from the Next Generation of Feminists. Emeryville, CA: Seal Press, 2006. 23-27

 https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071225110641AAF0qFM

BlogSpot. Natalie/Sarah/Emily/Izzer - Retrieved from http://our-turn-feminism.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-heck-is-feminism-anyway.html