Feminism: now for the good news (article by Catherine Redfern)

[tabouleh]

An article by the co-author of Reclaiming the F Word and founder of the F-word blog.

The good news is that Feminism is alive and kicking!

" Actions like writing, blogging, subvertising and critiquing cultural products such as song lyrics, films and TV shows are often considered indulgent or a less effective form of activism. But these actions do more than preach to the converted. At The F Word, we?ve received many emails telling us that we?ve helped to change readers? minds about various issues. Other feminist writers and bloggers report similar reactions. In a world that thinks that there?s no need for feminism, these activists are helping to point out why it?s still necessary and bring more people into the movement."

Feminists posting here on MN - we re doing are own activism just by discussing thing here. This is the consciousness raising of our time!

I'd like to discuss consciousness raising:
"Admitting the problem is half the battle"

"Many problems in women's lives were misunderstood as "personal," or as the results of conflicts between the personalities of individual men and women, rather than systematic forms of oppression."

I think that this is the reason MN is so brilliant so many issues people don't realise there is anyone out there who feels the same/has experienced the same.

I feel that a lot of the most important women's issues are silenced due to taboo/shame etc:

eg rape/loss of libido/incontinence after childbirth/prolapse etc

As an example my Mum had a prolapse a couple of years ago age ~57. She sensibly told people about it and literally everyone she told had either had one themselves or knew a friend or family member who had - BUT it is hardly ever discussed openly let alone in the media.

Agreed. I think this section is so important because it reaches people who haven't necessarily thought about Feminism before and it 'activates' those who were dormant.

I was a feminist before but this place has really helped me tune my reasoning and arguments so I can rant discuss issues in real life so to speak.

I absolutely agree on consciousness raising. I'm a very occassional poster, but a big lurker/reader of MN and this section in particular. It's become very important to me, and I'm definitely feeling 'activated'. I think MN is a FANTASTIC home for this kind of thing - because it's accessible to a very wide audience, not just people who already consider themselves active feminists, and it becomes a normal part of of everyday 'life' on MN.

I'd be very sad to see the most active posters move to eg the UKFeminista boards. It would be a big loss to all of us.

stirling - the feminista board is very very quiet so i don't think people will stop posting here.