Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 03:19 PM Feb 2014

My favorite definition of feminism:

Is a quote I've seen attributed to Marie Shear. Ran across it years ago, and it still speaks to me:

"Feminism is the radical notion that women are people"

Sounds so simple, right? Who could possibly disagree with that? But it is radical, almost dangerous to the status quo, because the idea that women are some kind of strange, mysterious "other" underpins well, kinda everything.

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My favorite definition of feminism: (Original Post) TDale313 Feb 2014 OP
Or, to some, chervilant Feb 2014 #1
Yes... though that elicits a reflexive chuckle--which says quite a bit as well hlthe2b Feb 2014 #2
Depends on the chuckle, I think TDale313 Feb 2014 #5
Only "prudes" BainsBane Feb 2014 #3
Yeah, so I've heard TDale313 Feb 2014 #6
I don't think all males that hate feminists are necessarily "prudes" per se - some enjoy... Sarah Ibarruri Feb 2014 #9
There are men Mr.Bill Feb 2014 #12
Absolutely true. Thank you. nt Sarah Ibarruri Feb 2014 #13
Good way to put it. TDale313 Feb 2014 #16
You can read the US Constitution as an exercise in redefining what a person is... malthaussen Feb 2014 #4
Very, very true. TDale313 Feb 2014 #8
If I may add to that... "and deserve and demand respect." Sarah Ibarruri Feb 2014 #7
The most prevalent attitude the American Taliban have about women is that... Triana Feb 2014 #10
What a revolutionary idea... awoke_in_2003 Feb 2014 #11
I've always liked Rebecca West also eridani Feb 2014 #14
Love that quote too TDale313 Feb 2014 #15
That hits home. n/t MadrasT Feb 2014 #17
one of my favorties mzteris Feb 2014 #18
This message was self-deleted by its author mzteris Feb 2014 #19

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
5. Depends on the chuckle, I think
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 04:08 PM
Feb 2014

There's the derisive "Oh, please!" Chuckle and there's the "Damn, someone gets it!" Chuckle

Honestly, that very simple statement elicits a huge range of reactions.

Sarah Ibarruri

(21,043 posts)
9. I don't think all males that hate feminists are necessarily "prudes" per se - some enjoy...
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 04:12 PM
Feb 2014

degrading women sexually. Likewise, certain women do not respect themselves either sexually, or in any other manner. They've sold into the idea that women are meat.

Mr.Bill

(24,303 posts)
12. There are men
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 05:47 PM
Feb 2014

who think sex is something you do with someone, and there are men who think sex is something you do to someone.

Proud to say I'm a member of the first group.

malthaussen

(17,204 posts)
4. You can read the US Constitution as an exercise in redefining what a person is...
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 03:49 PM
Feb 2014

... and quite a bit of history in that light as well. This is particularly evident now, when we see that for many of our politicians, "the people" are quite a small subset of the masses walking around.

-- Mal

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
8. Very, very true.
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 04:12 PM
Feb 2014

One reason it grates so much when (usually Republican) politicians claim to speak for "The American People" when they are really just talking about a small segment of their base.

Sarah Ibarruri

(21,043 posts)
7. If I may add to that... "and deserve and demand respect."
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 04:10 PM
Feb 2014

The demand part of that is as important as the deserve.

 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
10. The most prevalent attitude the American Taliban have about women is that...
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 04:44 PM
Feb 2014

...they don't consider them human. When you look at all they do, it's easy to see that this is the basis of it.

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
11. What a revolutionary idea...
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 05:14 PM
Feb 2014
Seriously, I am a man who has come from a long line of strong women, and I am a better person for it.

eridani

(51,907 posts)
14. I've always liked Rebecca West also
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 10:15 PM
Feb 2014
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/rebecca_west.html

I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.

Response to TDale313 (Original post)

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»History of Feminism»My favorite definition of...