Ok on the backlash thing, because I really think it is very relevant to the original subject of the thread and is an area that feminists need to get to grips with if we are going to get our movement back.
When I talk about third wave as the backlash, I don't mean that it is the entire sum parts of the backlash. There are of course many elements. But the third wave is an important element. A vital one.
Using Marxist theory, as explained by Dines in the video I linked to, a vital element in maintaining the patriarchal status quo is to undermine class, to undermine the idea that oppressed groups are groups. And to do this we need the idea of the individual, we need individualism, we need the personal to stop being political and for it to remain personal. This destroys collective power which is the only power available to the masses if they are to attempt dissent and rebellion or even significant change.
And in order to do that, one of the actions is to crush radicalism, to crush the voices and ideas under which oppressed groups can find common ground within which to develop awareness of their subjugation, to find strength and solidarity and to organize. And in order to crush radicalism you need to 'marginalize radicals' and 'co-opt radical ideas'. Which is what the third wave does (post-modernism a la Judith Butler co-opts radical ideas and then depoliticizes them. This is why she is so successful and influential, patriarchy loves her work). The third wave (using post-modernist ideas and queer theory) also helps create the hegemony of the individual and her/his choice and agency as a means to liberty.
So we get choice feminism and fun feminism and don't judge me or anything I say and do feminism. Sex positive feminism, don't you dare deny women's agency feminism, how dare you suggest women are victims feminism. Men can be women feminism. Which are all third wave. This bright and shiny and appealing third wave is also used to marginalize radicals. Who better to use to marginalize radicals than other women? So much more effective and less obvious than getting men to do it. Plus we get to accuse the wimminz of infighting if they resist these new brave shiny ideas and use good old divide and conquer.
Which is part of why we are where we are today with liberal feminism having been eaten by the third wave, radical feminism being marginalized by it, and we see things like women lining up to support womenphobic notions within transgenderism on websites like The F-Word.
I do not say this to lay blame or be angry with the women in the third wave. I am not angry with Judith Butler. I am angry with the regime which manipulates them and that regime is capitalist patriarchy. I have no desire to blame women for being oppressed or having their energy and thoughts co-opted for the purposes of oppression.
I posted on another thread that I think we are in the fourth wave of feminism now. The one where only radical feminism is left, marginalized though we are. Liberal feminism has been crushed. I hope it manages to make a comeback because we need radicals and liberals to work together to lick this thing.
And I think discussions like these various threads on transphobia do that, I think they consciousness raise in women who can relight the liberal movement.