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Original poster

Nicola Horlick says she is not a feminist. Does Nicola Horlick know what a feminist is??

157 replies

stillstanding · 23/02/2011 19:24

Am completely confused .... see article

I mean it's pretty nonsensical for anyone semi-conscious to say they are'nt a feminist but for HER to say it? And in the same breath as calling for quotas to get more women in boardrooms??

It's just daft. Am actually quite cross ...

OP posts:
dittany · 27/02/2011 00:35

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isaidheysugar · 27/02/2011 00:31

There is a difficulty with defining yourself as a feminist when there isn't a theoretical basis for feminism, AFAIK. This is the point I've been trying to make. Last century, the debates within feminism were mainly around political theory. Any attempt at a theoretical basis now seems to be absent (although I may be wrong). I made my comment about feminism seeming to resemble narcissism because the definition of feminism seems to consist of 'whatever I (the speaker) say feminism is'. So the Queen, Kate Middleton, Katie Price, Col Gaddafy, could indeed claim to be feminists, and could define feminism. So should Nicola Horlick sign up to one of their definitions, or all of them? In signing up to feminism, would she be agreeing that lapdancing is a damn fine thing for women, or not?

dittany · 27/02/2011 00:29

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Original poster
stillstanding · 26/02/2011 23:55

I think you're right, FattyArbukel - like others said earlier, sometimes not having the feminist label means you can actually get more done for feminism.

But I do think there is a difference between not declaring yourself to be a feminist and deliberately saying you are not one. It only reinforces the stigma attached to feminism and does a disservice to all feminists, including closet ones.

OP posts:
LeninGrad · 26/02/2011 23:33

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isaidheysugar · 26/02/2011 23:29

OK, consider me shouted down. Smile

I respect the fact that you didn't get your gang to come and beat me up as well.

dittany · 26/02/2011 18:40

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dittany · 26/02/2011 18:38

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FattyArbuckel · 26/02/2011 18:37

"I am not a feminist" from Nicola Horlick doesn't mean she doesn't understand the definition - it means that she thinks admitting to being a feminist will be unhelpful to her.
Sad

isaidheysugar · 26/02/2011 18:34

See, flying into a rage because another woman disagrees with you could be seen as narcissistic. In the real world, it should be OK for people to have views different from yours.

dittany · 26/02/2011 17:47

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dittany · 26/02/2011 17:46

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HerBeX · 26/02/2011 16:50

What do you actually mean by respect in this context?

I respect the right of another woman to hold an opposing view to mine. I don't necessarily have to respect that viewpoint though.

isaidheysugar · 26/02/2011 16:48

Respecting another woman's viewpoint as valid doesn't mean you have to agree with them.

DrNortherner · 26/02/2011 16:17

Well I consider myself to be a feminist, all for equal rights etc but I am not anti porn and often on MN I am made to feel that I can not possible be a feminist as I don't want porn to be banned/illegal.

Maybe feminism means different things to different women.

dittany · 26/02/2011 16:09

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dittany · 26/02/2011 15:56

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dittany · 26/02/2011 15:51

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LeninGrad · 26/02/2011 15:45

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isaidheysugar · 26/02/2011 14:53

None of the feminists have supported the OP on the bulling thread, for example. Some have joined in with giving her a damn good kicking.

Being a feminist used to involve a degree of self-awareness. Now feminism seems to be more institutionalised narcissism - 'I am a feminist so everyone must agree with whatever's in my head.'

There also used to be the astonishing principle that another woman's viewpoint was as valid as your own.

harpsichordcarrier · 26/02/2011 12:54

I BLOODY HOPE SO!
Grin

HerBeX · 26/02/2011 12:52

Ah well, our daughters will know better, won't they?

Wink
harpsichordcarrier · 26/02/2011 12:51

I am a secondary school teacher and I would say that teenage girls are far less radical/politicised than my generation. What characterises this generation is the idea that equality has been achieved, and there is no issue for feminists to worry about
hahaha

harpsichordcarrier · 26/02/2011 12:49

No, I don't believe that hardcore of women exist anymore in the next generation.
Yes, I do believe for my generation, being politically active (whether you were male or female) meant to be self-consciously, specifically, explicitly supportive of changing the status quo and supporting women's rights.

scottishmummy · 26/02/2011 12:47

I don't think there was a bygone age of higher support and sisterhood.politics, engagement and awareness will always be variable and dependent upon whom participates.mn draws from range of individuals so a range of opinions emerge.but that's its strength,that it has range and depth of pov and not just chin stroking and affirmation

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