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Equality?

October 19, 2003 04:15 PM posted by eris : track it (1)

Politically, Feminism is about Equality between the Sexes. One of the largest critiques of Feminism is that, despite its official mantra of being “about equality”, feminism as a whole tends to lack support for men and people of color. From this perspective, it would seem that Feminism is about “Selective Equality”.

If you have chosen to carry around the moniker of “Feminist”, explain how you tackle these two issues in your personal daily battles. For example: Do you take into consideration other culture’s histories before saying anything about how “all women….”? Do you stand up for a man’s right to equality in unjust situations? Take a look at the "Grrrly News" for other examples of this "Selective Equality".

If Feminism is about Equality, what do you do to emphasize that point? What could you do better?

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Tough question. My answer's up on my blog. In sum - I think it's important to note that "selective equality" (really selective representation) when it happens is rarely intentional. That should inform anyone's approach to changing/dealing with it.

Posted by: april on October 19, 2003 08:38 PM |

I didnt include the gay/straight/trans/bi example in my post since it was already previously discussed in a few places and was shown, in some cases, how that also can create a "selective equality".

Posted by: eris on October 19, 2003 09:29 PM |

My weekly ramble is over here. Basically; doesn't an 'unselective equality' risk becoming an appropriation of other people's battles?

Posted by: the absent student on October 21, 2003 08:30 AM |

My muddled response is up here

Posted by: Vic... on October 21, 2003 09:24 AM |

Who is it that said something along the lines of: I'll worry about men later, they've done a good enough job of taking care of themselves as it is? That's pretty much my stance, if Feminism frees men along with women (which it should in my mind) great, but until then I'm not going to care nearly as much about men's issues until the women's issues I care about are taken care of. If this is in some way "unequal" of me (which I don't think it is since I see equality as a correcting of proportions) then I'm okay with that.

Also I have to work from where I can, though I do know less about Global Feminism than I like. But, that being said, one has to start somewhere, right?

Posted by: Brigitte on October 21, 2003 03:51 PM |

I responded here about whiny men and imperialism.

Posted by: Kerri on October 21, 2003 06:58 PM |

ed8a012b3fee616557eb617ee7ff39d1 85b4c.

Posted by: 1bd38b0 on March 6, 2005 01:29 PM |