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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are you a feminist? Just a yes or no.

999 replies

RedHareWithBlondeHair · 09/02/2018 17:16

No need to go further into your reasoning if you don't want to but this has always a been curious issue to me and came up today with one of my colleagues. She is a feminist by how she described her beliefs but doesn't actually adopt the term.

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 12/02/2018 07:46

Doesn’t it rather go-
“I’m not a feminist because of all the ridiculous views lots of them have”
“What ridiculous ideas do they have?”
“Well, Linda Bellos was a lesbian separatist for a while in the early 1980s. I didn’t like that. And someone called Witchwind wrote a blog post in 2013 talking about the psycho politics of PIV sex. I didn’t like that either. And there’s a feminist poster on Mumsnet called BretrandRussell. I can’t stand her. Not sure why, really- she never says anything outrageous but I can’t bear her. So that’s why I reject feminism. Seems perfectly reasonable to me” Ad infinitum.

anothernetter · 12/02/2018 07:50

Yes

Monstamio · 12/02/2018 07:58

Yes. Again, ever more as l get older. Particularly since I've had daughters. I worry that they will inherit a world where they have fewer rights than I did. Which frankly terrifies me.

Dairymilkmuncher · 12/02/2018 07:59

Yes

FrancinePefko · 12/02/2018 08:27

If you broadly believe in equality, you must surely believe in taking actions to enable an oppressed group to achieve equality

I do believe in all of the above. I just don't see a need to label myself because "ist" labels mean you get associated with a movement.

I have neither the time or energy to be constantly explaining "Ooh no! Heaven forfend, I'm not that kind of "IST" I am a ...Fourth Wave, Inter-Sectionalist, Third Dan, Division 2, Gender Apprecitative, Performative; neo-Marxist, moderate Radical, triple Grande, sugar-free, vanilla no fom latte with Soy Milk Feminist..

Everyone else is WRONG and a handmaiden

FrancinePefko · 12/02/2018 08:32

Maybe a better example would be e.g. the Labour party. Everyone agrees that its current position and policies don't bear much resemblance to those it had 100 years ago. All political movements evolve

Yes. I used to be a member. I left because I didn't want to be associated with them any more because the batshit crazy elements are running the show .

Much like the PERFs running "feminism" on MN.

I just don't want to be associated with them. Ta

SmileEachDay · 12/02/2018 08:37

Much like the PERFs running "feminism" on MN.

Ignoring the fact that this statement is nonsense, let’s anakyse it for a minute...

What do you think radical feminists are excluding penises from?

mamalovesmojitos · 12/02/2018 08:38

Yes

TellsEveryoneRealFacts · 12/02/2018 08:40

Much like the PERFs running "feminism" on MN.

Which brand of feminism is supposed to center men? [The P in PERF].

Amoregentlemanlikemanner · 12/02/2018 08:48

Yes :)

FrancinePefko · 12/02/2018 08:49

See what I mean about you not having the first clue about what means to "brand". Feminism is a brand - whether you like it or not and you cause it furher damage by adopting terms like PERF.

If a man said he was a "Vagina Exclusionary Radical Male" - should he be surprised that 80% + of normal men would steer clear of him?

SmileEachDay · 12/02/2018 08:51

Francine I said it was nonsense.

Now, can you answer the question?

TellsEveryoneRealFacts · 12/02/2018 08:51

See what I mean about you not having the first clue about what means to "brand". Feminism is a brand - whether you like it or not and you cause it furher damage by adopting terms like PERF.

Nobody adopts these phrases, they are foisted upon us. I am really interested in how you think that feminism needs to center males. If you can't respond with some explanation then just stop yourself from typing this stuff.

BertrandRussell · 12/02/2018 08:59

If you really think PERFECT is a term a feminist would willingly take on you're spectacularly missing the point! Even more than usual.....

MrPan · 12/02/2018 09:01

No.

MrPan · 12/02/2018 09:07

Ah, just seen the 'variation' option. MN feminist def no, feminist otherwise yes.

SmileEachDay · 12/02/2018 09:09

MrPan

What is MN feminism - given that many women on this MN thread have said “I’m not a MN feminist” it would suggest that there isn’t a cohesive “type”?

MrPan · 12/02/2018 09:16

Smile - wouldn't wish to get into that one. Life's too short. Grin

TellsEveryoneRealFacts · 12/02/2018 09:28

What is MN feminism - given that many women on this MN thread have said “I’m not a MN feminist” it would suggest that there isn’t a cohesive “type”?

Nobody knows what this particular brand is as many people rail against it but nobody can explain it. It's a bit 'woo'.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 12/02/2018 09:34

An MN feminist will defend any poster with cries of ltb and contact the police if a man is much as brushes against his partner uninvited, for example.

Lweji · 12/02/2018 09:34

I've read it all now that I've seen feminism described as a "silly label".

The length that some people go not to offend their sexist uncles. Wow.

TellsEveryoneRealFacts · 12/02/2018 09:34

A bit like this bloke's version of 'feminism'...

Are you a feminist? Just a yes or no.
TellsEveryoneRealFacts · 12/02/2018 09:36

An MN feminist will defend any poster with cries of ltb and contact the police if a man is much as brushes against his partner uninvited, for example

Can you show some examples please? Thanks in advance. [or is this hyperbole?]

SusanBunch · 12/02/2018 09:37

An MN feminist will defend any poster with cries of ltb and contact the police if a man is much as brushes against his partner uninvited, for example.

No they won't and you know it. They will say it where there has been physical aggression in a relationship though. Do you think physical aggression in a relationship is acceptable? If yes, fair enough.

Lweji · 12/02/2018 09:37

@ThroughThickAndThin01

An MN feminist will defend any poster with cries of ltb and contact the police if a man is much as brushes against his partner uninvited, for example.

So, nobody?