I am one... but why don't I want to be called one?

[ShanahansRevenge]

A feminist that is. I am very much a strong minded woman...independant, succesful and up for the rights of all females in all ways...so why do I feel uncomfortable with the label "Feminist"?

I think it might be due to the negative connotations of the word...the way a lot of people percieve feminists...it conjures up an image that genral sciety aren't comfortable with doesn't it?

Which in turn puts us..the very people who matter most in the fight for equality..at massive disadvantage. Isn't it time for a rebrand?

Why stick with the old title? Why have a "title" at all? Why not just "be" what we are? Women, strong ones...independant,intellegent, talented, funny, succesful..whatever. Get on with making change...forging a future for women where we don't need a name for what we are and what we do or want.

Is that what self proclaimed feminists want though? Equality? I do, and I thought I was a feminist until i started reading threads on here.

Want I'm not is a man hating extremist with no consideration of other idealogical theoretical frameworks. With a blinkered angry view of the world. i also really don't believe in a "matriarchy" which I've seen mention of on here.

i find some arguments in the feminism topic very blinkered, and very aggressive. It puts me off TBH.

but why not reclaim the word rather than rebrand the movement?
It's a political movement, it needs a name and an identity. And whatever you call this movement there will be people who do their best to discredit the words you use. I would rather shout loud 'No, THAT is not feminism, THIS is feminism' than just give up the word.

We need the title Feminist. Imagine an election where all the polititians refused a label. How would we know where we stood or who's on our side?
Anti-women people, whether male or female perceive feminism in a negative manner. It all depends whats more important to you - the goals of feminism or the approval of anti-feminists.

Minx, I bet if there was a Workers Unite topic for Communist agitators there'd be plenty of blinkered and aggressive arguments on there too, even though every one would be on the same side.

Shanahans Revenge, I don't think it's time for a rebrand. Because the New Feminism would only get sidelined and sniggered at too. It suits to tarnish the image because that way you get fairminded women turning away. I would think it's more time to reclaim the word, and take it out of the hands of those who are using it against us.

I see what you're saying Sethstarkadder...but do all political movememnts have a name? What about a bit of stealth? Can't we have the same actions, the same marches or protests but as women and not as "feminists"?

Who coined the term out of interest? And does anyone know when it first came to be used regularly? I'm guessing it was efore the 60s.

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Sixpence...but I percieve the title negativly...I do...and I am not anti-women in ANY way...I would defy anyone to call me that because I am the exact opposite!

I don't think you can compare the wor of women in the fight for eqality to politicians or elections...it's a different thing entirely...unless I am missing something and there is a "Feminist Party"...is there?

You need a title because not all women are feminist.

wukter...but those who are recognise one another...and will continue to work together..we shouldn't I thin, be seperating ourselves with a label...I have a problem with lables. Stand up for what you want...go out and get what you want and if you meet with obstacles of a sexist nature along the way..then deal with them.

Feminism is a political movement, if we changed the name to something you like, eventually that word would be viewed negatively too. Its not the name, it's the ideals that anti-feminists don't like. We could spend our time and energy constantly changing the name to appease anti-feminists and any momentum would be diffused.

Do use the title. Personally I am deeply suspiscious when women say "I'm no feminist, but....", it makes me want to challenge them with - what don't you believe in gender equality?

sixpence..I suppose I don't think there should be a name at all...and I'm certainly not looking to change it to "one I like".

I would also argue that you're right in part about it not being the name that anti-feminists don't like..but the ideals...BUT they DO use the name as a means of scorning women with any guts... why not remove the name which is in fact used as ammunition AGAINST women like us...it's already been sullied by that DJ whatever his name was who called Feminists "Feminazi's"

It's that kind of thing which is hugely damging...the laws are in place now to right the wrongs which may be done to women...there will always be individuals who denegrate women and try to keep them down...so why no just get on with thngs...knock the anti-women down as they crop up.

dittany...bollocks. I can decide what I want....regarding a movement which is meant to be for my beneft too.

hmc no I don't use the title...I just act on inequaliy when I see it.

A political movement is not party politics. I agree a political movement needs a name. It's not to do with running for elections. It's to do with describing a particular political position, like liberalism, socialism, anarchism, conservatism etc.

The reason people don't like the name is because people talk crap in order to undermine it. So people don't want to associate with the crap is really nothing to do with it. Like 'man-hating'.

The name could be changed to bananaism and still face the same backlash. It needs reclaiming not changing.

If you listen to men who use the term feminazi, then your a woman-hater. end of.

And I also meant to say most -isms are misrepresented. Socialism, communism, anarchism, anything that threatens the status quo is snarked about. Anarchism is a great example, often co-located with chaos. They do not mean the same thing.

That's very well put AliceWorld...how could the name be reclaimed then?

Sixpence....I read what the man said. You talk utter crap. I have two Daughters and I resent the shit you talk.

So far...only AliceWorld has managed to explain anything to me...the vitriol coing out of the mouths/keyboards of some of the other women on here is shocking.

I don't care, many people have daughters. Its not a free pass.

You don't want to be perceived negatively by using the word Feminist. But you'll be perceived negatively if you DO something feminist, label or no.
Maybe being scorned as a labelled Feminist is a baptism of sorts.
Also, by self identifying as a feminist you remind yourself you are not fighting alone, there are a whole network of women who are standing with you (Of course, allowing for idealogical differences)

All movements are 'blackened' by their opponents. The image portrayed is not the reality.