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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

The 'this is what a feminist looks like' tshirt?

88 replies

jenny60 · 19/05/2010 10:45

Have one of these and am a member of the Fawcett Society but feel a little odd wearing it. Very happy to be seen as a feminist - it's no secret . But slightly worried that it looks as though I'm saying either 'look at me: I'm normal looking, I don't wear dungarees, have short hair, cliche, stereotype etc...' or 'Aren't I gorgeous. Bet you dodn't know feminists could be gorgeous?'.
Anyone else got one? What do yout think?

OP posts:
ElephantsAndMiasmas · 19/05/2010 18:14

Yeah, and that's why I wear it. Because I hope lots of people wear it (like your DP) and the stereotype breaks down sooner rather than later. TBH though I mainly save it for protests and the like. But then that's probably because it's too uncomfortable to wear often (see above)

sethstarkaddersmum · 19/05/2010 18:10

I would guess it originally arose in response to people saying 'You don't look like a feminist!'

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 19/05/2010 18:07

Hmm yes it's a weird one. It works if you are SO not what some idiots people think a feminist is. Anything other than a middle-aged white woman with short hair basically, so if you're a man for example, or sterotypically pretty/"making an effort" via make up or hair etc, non-white, very old or young - they all work against the stereotype. But where does that leave people who aren't in those groups, especially the "core" of feminism which is still women between the age of say 20 and 70? As I am still (fairly) young, and definitely non-scary-looking (until you get into an argument with me anyway ) I feel I can pretty much wear it. But as I said above, it kind of urges me to make myself even more unlikely to frighten the horses. So I feel I can't wear it if hair is untidy, no make-up etc. SO I suppose the question is does the slogan work positively for feminism, if it excludes most people who are feminists and it makes me keen to pile on the slap and the GHDs?

Aitch · 19/05/2010 17:51

yes, yes, yes, it's the invitation to be judged on your looks, it's discomfiting in the extreme.

dittany · 19/05/2010 17:40

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onebatmother · 19/05/2010 17:35

Lol at cowering boobs.

Actually the more I think about this the more it seems wrong-headed. I understand (der) the rationale but we shouldn't be bringing appearance into it at all.

The t-shirt should just say 'feminist'. It would still make precisely the same point when stewiegriffin's dp for eg. wears one.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 19/05/2010 15:56

jenny60 - I think a lot of people don't. Mind you was in newlook yesterday and the choice was either pink gingham floaty nonsense or a vast array of high-necked t-shirts. Not wanting to look like I was made by cath kidson or like my boobs were cowering in fright against my body, I just walked out.

HerBeatitude · 19/05/2010 15:02

Also, doesn't it cut into the slogan?

I love feminists have better sex. If it were a low neckline, I would buy one of those

Original poster
jenny60 · 19/05/2010 14:50

Yes, yes, yes to the high neckline. It looks awful and makes me itchy. Does anyone actually like tshirts like this?
SGB: I tried that once but the whole thing unraveled so the neckline sat on my waist
So not a good look.

OP posts:
sethstarkaddersmum · 19/05/2010 14:08

I still want 'fuck your fascist beauty standards' but I didn't like the style of the One Angry Girl one.

StewieGriffinsMom · 19/05/2010 14:04

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SolidGoldBrass · 19/05/2010 14:02

FFS where's your punk rock 2nd wave feminisim DIY ethic. Get some farkin scissors and snip the farking neckline till it's comfy!

I'm currently doing badges (and keyrings) with 'Feminists have better sex' on themm I might thinkg about putting that slogan on t shirts too.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 19/05/2010 13:57

x-post HerBeatitude - Fawcett if you're listening could you do a lower neck version please? Not porny-cleavage low, just below-collarbone low ould be nice.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 19/05/2010 13:49

I know what you mean (and I also wish it wasn't just in high-neck t-shirt form, they don't seem to work with breasts somehow and I end up feeling a bit strangled) but I do love mine. It does work best when lots of different people are wearing it. Ashamed to admit this, but I feel more anxious of my appearance when I am wearing it. Partly because it directly draws attention to my appearance, and partly because I feel like an ambassador for feminism.

HerBeatitude · 19/05/2010 13:49

I note the absence of Cheryl Cole wearing the t-shirt

(I couldn't wear it either Aitch - neckline is too high...)

Original poster
jenny60 · 19/05/2010 11:27

Ruby: say equal rights for women.

OP posts:
Butterpie · 19/05/2010 11:25

The only reaction I have had is one particulary misguided friend making a comment on facebook when he saw me wearing it and posing with a cake I had just baked with DD.

I told him to bugger off, obv

Original poster
jenny60 · 19/05/2010 11:23

Thanks seth: I LOVE some of them but how weird to see the feminist ones next to the 'abortion holocaust' and 'pro-life' ones?

OP posts:
rubyrubyruby · 19/05/2010 11:21

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sethstarkaddersmum · 19/05/2010 11:21

People ask me what happened in 1792. (It was the publication of Mary Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women, the first work to argue women should have human rights, if anyone's interested.)

rubyrubyruby · 19/05/2010 11:20

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sethstarkaddersmum · 19/05/2010 11:19

pmsl re penguin!!!!!

Original poster
jenny60 · 19/05/2010 11:18

PMSL onebat
It probably onyl works rally well if a whole lot of women and penguins wear tham at the same time.

What sorts of questions Ruby? All I've had is 'where did you get it?'

OP posts:
sethstarkaddersmum · 19/05/2010 11:17

here
I got the medium because I am size 14 chest at the moment due to breastfeeding and it's massive - I've had to take it in.

rubyrubyruby · 19/05/2010 11:15

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