Do you say you're a feminist/ radfem in RL, and what reactions do you get?

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

Curious about this, on the back of the 'schools of thought' in feminism thread, but not wanting to give oxygen to it.

I tend to say I'm a radfem, which I am aware would make some real radfems smoke from the ears, but which feels accurate enough to me. Most people, obviously, are polite and don't show much reaction one way or another. A few look obviously shocked/uncomfortable and start sizing me up to see if this means I'm a seething factory of hatred. A very, very few (in RL, not on here) say they are too. Interestingly (or I think it is, given the NUS campaign), my students seem so far to take it entirely in their stride and do not appear to think it's an kind of unusual position to hold. Though they may just be being very polite.

I wondered how other people identify, and what reactions you get? I've heard people in RL identify as intersectional feminists, eco feminists, queer feminists, etc.

I'd describe myself as a feminist.

The reaction? I work in a very conservative, heavily male dominated environment and the reaction I get is

Regarding reactions: I am already regarded as odd, because I am the least-groomed woman in the whole bloody country in my social circle. This is generally viewed as just one more oddity. Besides, I am foreign, and British people are supposed to be more aware of such movements as feminism, whereas the local people prefer to wring their hands and moan without being proactive to bring about change. Or so I am told constantly by the locals themselves.

I don't think equality is the goal either, I think liberation is.

We can strive for equality in this scenario but really we're not going to be liberated by it.

Swan, yes if pushed I'd probably go with your definition, plus some environmental aspect.

YY, I agree about liberation.

alex - hmm, interesting. And presumably quite irritating for you!

koala - yes, can believe that. Grr!

They look at me as if I have two heads Jeanne.

What's even more depressing is that I pulled a female colleague (who is relatively liberal with most things) up on a comment that she made about rape and she tutted said "Oh Koala" and rolled her eyes.

When did the idea of feminism become so 'dirty'? I barely meet anyone who would describe themselves as a feminist.

almond- yes, definitely! I would never define myself as an eco-feminist as I have never been personally active on that front. But I also believe that the nature-culture divide and the attendent exploitation and destruction of the environment are further tools of oppression within a capitalist patriarchal society.

Jeanne It can be irritating, but it does have its usefulness too. Being foreign and a bit odd, I can broach topics that others hesitate to bring up. I know perfectly well what cultural attitudes are here and what is considered a taboo or a tricky subject, but I am in a position where I can be excused for treading on any cultural toes.

Oh, that's depressing, koala.

That has been my problem even with 'feminists'. I know people who'd call themselves that, but if you mention something like the current plans about anonymity and rape, they roll their eyes and talk to you about how yours is 'extreme feminism'.

Irritating.

I think I might have been radicalised on MN - I pull people up on stuff much more than I used to.

Name changed as may have outed self
I say I am a feminist in RL frequency - its part of my job luckily for me. I also identify as a rad - much more so latterly. So not much reaction at work as people know me but family often on defensive.

I was radicalised on MN too.

But I've identified as feminist before that.

buffy - YY, non-trendy-tumblr-intersectional-feminist works for me too. But then, I have not often come across radfems who weren't more or less that anyway.

Frequently that should be.

Swan, I wouldn't call myself an eco feminist because it often has a kind of mystical element to it, and I'm not spiritual.

Germaine Greer is an anarcha feminist, iirc.

Buffy Jeanne yy .

I definitely identified as feminist before I found my way to FWR.

I'm just more aware of the patriarchy and male privilege nowadays. And much more angry about stuff.

almond - ha, no, I'm not into that either. Germaine Greer may call herself an anarchist if she likes, but I would never presume to attack a comrade's gender identity just because their definition of gender did not not correspond to my own.

Koalafications wrote - When did the idea of feminism become so 'dirty'?

My guess is: probably as soon as feminism started.

I was your typical Spare Rib reading, bra burning feminist in the early 70s - I don't think anyone has asked me 'are you a feminist?' for over 30 years.

Koala - I am sorry, that is ridiculous and incredibly depressing. I've found that the barrage of sighing, eyerolling, and can't-you-take-a-joke-ing that I've come against usually masks a recognition of the fact that the other person has made an unacceptable comment and feels uncomfortable about it. And that you have broken the unspoken social rule that states that everyone should be made as comfortable as possible with the crap they talk. In my experience, noone has come out and actually defended a rape joke on a one on one basis (not to my ugly face, anyway).

not some sort of simplistic trendy tumblr version.

YY! Technically I am probably not a radfem but if I had to sum my position up in a word that is what I would use, I think. Nearing the end of my (lengthy) university education and I don't think I'd fit in with the student feminist society with their "I need feminism because..." whiteboards. Not to say that sort of engagement isn't an important step but I think I'm a little bit older and angrier and a bit less cuddly about it all if that makes any sense. Still got a lot to learn, though, which is the main reason I haunt this board.

In RL I might call myself feminist or very obviously espouse feminist views - annoyingly the general response I get is "oh, we don't need feminism anymore!" One or two people have been a bit goady teasing about it and pick up on things I say or do with "ooh, that wasn't very feminist!", or something like that.

I'd usually say I was a feminist, but if it was relevant I'd describe myself as an anarchist feminist.

I see a lot of crossover between what I believe and radfems, but couldn't align myself with what seems to be the 'standard line' IYKWIM on trans issues.

In practice I find that I have absolutely masses in common with older - as am I - self identifying radfems, I think maybe we've just all had our corners a bit knocked off by RL. I'm not sure I have much in common with Germaine Greer, however!

The other main difference is that I am very happy working with anarchists of all sorts, women, men or whatever - whereas I feel radfems would tend to work in women only groups more often?

I just say I'm a feminist. I rarely need to say it, because practically everything that comes out of my mouth on gender-related issues is feministy. I wouldn't have said I'm "radical" and neither did this board when it got all heated, but the quizzes say I am. Technically, the quizzes are right. I'm not much like a Marxist, though!

People used to try the odd scoff & eyeroll, but that was during the lamentably short period when I felt gender equality didn't need pushing all the time. In the past ten years or so, absolutely no-one has queried it except for a few much, much younger women who've asked "Why?" Because I'm a woman, say I, and strangely enough they do agree that being a woman requires feminism.

The only actual rows I've had about being a feminist, complete with all the 'humourless' accusations, are with men who deem themselves right-on, equalist anarchists but come out with some right old sexist shite. And on Mumsnet, but you expect that here