Why Feminism

I was raised Roman Catholic, then I was raised as an Evangelical Christian.  Have I mentioned that?

I was raised in a home by devoted and loving parents who took very good care of me, you must know that.  They clothed me, fed me, cared for me.  I have no interest in criticizing their parenting, but to give you background, they were not of the feminist persuasion.  They were old school.  As in girls don't need to play organized sports or go to college old school. Don't ask me what stray gene entered my DNA.  I remember as a girl deducing that boys got picked to play baseball because they threw better.  When my dad would mean to say that girls were good softball players he would say, "She throws like a boy." So guess what I wanted to learn how to do?

When I became a mother, I knew if anyone ever told my girls they couldn't do something, I would punch them in the mouth.  Proverbially.  Or maybe physically.  I look at those smart, talented girls and my heart swells with love and pride.  I want the world to not objectify them or blame them or block them.  I want them to be able to contribute and experience.

My major is Human Development, and as such, one of my deep passions is addressing poverty.  It's right in theme with helping people live the best lives they can.  What has become apparent to me is that the people who suffer the most in the world are women.  The dehumanization that we relatively rarely face here in the U.S. is alive and well in the Third World.  I don't use the word hate in print often, but I HATE that little girls are trafficked.  I HATE that widows get their property seized.  I HATE that women get substandard healthcare.  You get the idea.

Feminism addresses the heart of these issues.  In this country, had I been born at a different time, I would not be able to own property or have custody of my children.  I would not be able to speak in public or write this blog.  The feminist movement made my pursuit of happiness possible.

Some definitions of feminism I like from Feminism by Paula Treichler and Cheris Kramarae:

"the movement towards creating a society where women can live a full, self-determined life. This may seem a bland statement, but in terms of the changes we need to achieve this, it is revolutionary" (Mary MacNamara, 1982).

 "is a commitment to eradicating the ideology of domination that permeates Western culture on various levels ... so that the self-development of people can take precedence over imperialism, economic expansion, and material desires" (bell hooks, 1981).

"makes it absolutely essential that we examine the way we live, how we treat each other, and what we believe... calls into question the most basic assumptions about... our rationale for power relationships as well as for all levels of human identity and action" (Barbara Smith, 1983).