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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Why "fun feminism" should be consigned to the rubbish bin

562 replies

Nyac · 07/05/2012 18:43

article by Julie Bindel in the New Statesman.

www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/08/fun-feminism-women-feminist

Quote:

"We need to bring back the radical edge to feminism, and do away with any notion that slutwalking, lap dancing, sex working or Burkha-wearing is liberation for women. If men like a particular brand of feminism, it means it is not working. "Fun feminism" should be consigned to the rubbish bin along with the Lib Dem party."

Agree with Julie, that it's extremely irritating to see a bunch of interlopers attempting to elbow their way in and co-opt feminism, redefining it to suit patriarchy's needs. I've even seen people who support patriarchal institutions like marriage, BDSM or the sex industry calling themselves radical feminists. There is so much misunderstanding and misinformation about feminism out there that people feel like they can grab what they like without making an actual political commitment or any kind of challenge to the patriarchy.

Really liberal feminism (the old kind, not the sex industry supporting kind) and radical feminism are the only kinds of feminism that have ever effected any kind of positive change for women. They need to be reclaimed and supported, not erased by third wave non-feminist feminism.

She's right about the lib dems too. :D Or maybe they are in the same boat and need some classic liberals to reclaim their party from the Tory party's whipping boys.

OP posts:
WidowWadman · 08/05/2012 19:13

I just wonder why post the link now? The article is a good nine months old.

Greythorne · 08/05/2012 19:11

Great article.

Nyac · 08/05/2012 19:05

proponents

OP posts:
MyNameIsntFUCKINGWarren · 08/05/2012 19:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nyac · 08/05/2012 19:04

I like unapologetic feminism.

It's a shame how much people like to undermine it or its proponent. Radical feminism really is where it's at, if we want to end patriarchy and free women.

OP posts:
Emphaticmaybe · 08/05/2012 19:01

Julie does mention at the end of her piece that it is more difficult to get on board with radical feminism, ( as she sees it) if you are heterosexual. I certainly struggle with this.

solidgoldbrass · 08/05/2012 18:45

Except that Bindel is a classic example of the self-righteous bully school of feminism in that anythign she doesn't like is Wrong and other women should just Obey Bindel.

WidowWadman · 08/05/2012 18:36

What a load of illiberal women-hating codswallop.

AbigailAdams · 07/05/2012 20:07

Totally agree. As usual Basil sums it up.neatly Grin.

BasilEatsFoulEggs · 07/05/2012 19:32

Agree. "Empowerment" is for people who are never going to have power - power-lite. Fuck that.

EatsBrainsAndLeaves · 07/05/2012 19:05

Totally agree. Lap dancing, prostitution, etc are not empowering. And the slut walk was a travesty against feminism. I am really glad that this article was in the New Statesman. Whilst not very widely read, it reaches a more diverse audience than other radical feminist articles and blogs that I have read criticising fun feminism. This analysis deserves to be much more widely distributed.

franke · 07/05/2012 18:47

I agree. Sorry I can't be any more articulate - you've expressed it perfectly. And if I hear the word 'empower' one more time in relation to pole dancing....