Karren Brady: not a feminist, but still delivers a cracking one-liner

[Lio]

I was disappointed that she says she's not a feminist www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/11/karren-brady-west-ham-apprentice but get this:

'one of her players said, "I can see your tits in that shirt," to which she replied, "Don't worry, when I sell you to Crewe, you won't be able to see them from there." (The player was, indeed, sold soon afterwards.)'

Her reason for saying she is not a feminist:

'I think the term feminist is scary for women, because it means that you're extreme in some way'

Not scary for me.

Think she's a bit overly proud of that one-liner, have just read it in a different article in Marie Claire!

I wonder if she really did say that at the time, or thought of it later!

A famous 60s women's rights activist on TV recently described a feminist as someone who rejects the idea of male superiority.

Which probably makes most women feminists.

Hear, hear killerkitty!!

I think Karren Brady has fallen into a classic trap of believing the media-perpetuated myth of what 'feminism' is. If you believe what some of the papers etc say, feminism is akin to a bunch of bra-burning, man-hating, moustachioed butch lesbians stomping all over poor, defenseless men.... hence the 'extreme' tag.
If our own sex see that as the case and ultimately shun the concept, what chance do we stand in actually acheiving the aim of equality?

omg why is everybody so feminist at the moment!! and as much as i disagree with dafpunk political views why is jumped on all the time for anything she comments on? she is entitled to have an opinion as we all are, should we become stepford wives? i didnt see the comment mental as offensive tbh and i dont think dp used it as a slur against sn.

"Feminism sounds dated and extreme, whether it is or not is by the by. There needs to be a new name for this."

AGREEE! its 2010 now, and the issues that the original feminists dealt with have been adressed in many ways. Watch an episode of Mad Men!

I thinks its actually really unfair to ask sucessful women if they are "feminists" as it puts them on the spot, and as others have said the feminish movemnet is soo outdated now. I dont Id want to be referred to as one, given the negative lentil vibe around the word

time to move on

Hi Mehdismummy, in answer to your question there is a thread about why a lot of MNers are feminist (at the moment and always)here.

The reason "everybody so feminist at the moment" - and goodness I wish that was actually the case - is a combination of the smattering of programmes about women on International Women's Day last month, combined with a general sense that the world still doesn't treat women and girls as equals. Did you see the news about the report on over-sexualisation of little girls recently?

Are you a feminist? Back to Rebecca West...
"I myself have never known what feminism is. I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat."

why thankyou elephant. i shall read the link with interest. i am not against being a feminist i just was wondering why most of the threads were about or linked to everyone going on about, i thought i had missed something! it was meant as a joke not ignorance

i said the other day at work" as a feminist..."

adn a colleague said " oh i never knew you were" (seriously)
and i said " well i agree with equal pay - QED"

I am a feminist and so's my wife!

Would you defend people expressing their individual opinion if said opinion was racist? To me, it's the same thing and that is why dp gets jumped on.

Feminist is not an outdated term because what it means and what it stands for is a cause that has not been defeated - if you think sexism has been defeated then you need to educate yourself because you are unaware.
It doesn't need changing, people need educating.

Totally agree with you d. Fair point

Well I quite like the term 'feminish' inadvertently (I think) given above. Makes me think that all the suffragette hardships of less than 100 years ago to get us the vote was worthwhile (yes, only that short a time - 1928 was the year of universal women's vote in Britain as I am sure all you post-feminists are aware). I am so glad that things have moved on so positively for women in that time - so much so that arguing about bra tops for young girls is a top priority...

Well said dittany in your reply to porcamiseria. PM, "I thinks its actually really unfair to ask sucessful women if they are "feminists" as it puts them on the spot" - I'd say the question is an entirely appropriate and sensible question to ask them. They can always say no, as KB did. And hopefully some of them will say yes!

I would always call myself a feminist - it is a dirty word to some people but that's down to misunderstanding what it means, or coming across some negative examples of particular feminists. I don't see that needs to stop me from using that word and showing people it needn't mean what they have misunderstood it to mean. There are many different aspects to feminism after all.

Having said that porcamiseria - love the phrase "negative lentil vibe"! Hello Glastonbury we're Negative Lentil Vibe.

PS I was amused by KB saying that she's not a feminist because it means being extreme - going back to work 3 days after childbirth or going for 13 years without a holiday is pretty extreme! She's just extreme in a capitalist feminism way (it's not Xenia in disguise is it? )

Scary because men won't perceive you as a simpering fanny?

That doesn't scare me.

It's so arrogant of successful females in a man's World to feel that they made it so there's clearly no need for feminism. It's just "I'm alright Jack" syndrome.

"Are there any women slebs/high profile women (or men for that matter) in any field who are out and proud feminists?"

Anna Ford

Fiona Bruce also says so out loud.

She speaks out often and loud about DV as well. Not afraid to open her gob and say what needs to be said..

i think a lot of women associate feminism with being unfeminine. Which is of course complete rubbish and they are obviously confused about the whole concept of femninism.

It is disappointing when a woman anxiously denies being a feminist in case people think less of her or think she might be a trouble maker or a bit butch and anti-men.