School's Out: What *Does* a Feminist Look Like? Teaching Boys About Feminism

[justiceischeap]

I’ve come across some debates recently on the relationship between males and feminism that have got me thinking about how feminism should be taught to boys and young men (or old men! But I’m trying to keep somewhat on task with the theme of youth, sexuality, and education).

Some of these arguments, written by men, women, and I’m sure others, have been incredibly sensitive and on-point, except that their conclusion—that men cannot really be feminists—left me feeling uncomfortable. And when something makes me uncomfortable, I know I need to understand it better. These arguments have two main points: 1) accepting men as feminists is a perpetuation of patriarchy because men can’t remove themselves from their power and privilege in relation to women, and 2) if you’re not politicized by being treated as part of a marginalized category of persons, then you can really only ever be pro- (i.e., men can’t be feminists any more than, for instance, white people can be black nationalists).

This race-based comparison that kept cropping up actually raises a lot of questions about the nature of responsible alliance, coalition, and other forms of solidarity work that I’ll have to explore in another post. (I often wonder if this kind of thinking doesn’t foist the responsibility for problems back onto the oppressed.)

This race analogy also just doesn't fit here. If you’re white, you can’t choose to identify as black or as a black nationalist because race, being a social construct, functions by the social and material resources that differentially accrue to racialized bodies. The inequalities here have to do with the way your “racial belonging” is perceived. For a white person to claim blackness would be an oppressive act of appropriation. But in my thinking (so far at least), to identify as a feminist is not to identify as a woman. There are a lot of flavors of feminism, for sure, but I’ve long been under the impression that at its heart, feminism is “the radical notion that women are people” (to trot out that well-worn phrase by Cheris Kramarae and Paula Treichler) and therefore deserving of all the moral worth belonging to their humanity, and all the opportunities which should enable its full expression. Plus, as Bitch says in its FAQ, “feminism isn’t all about women—it’s about resisting and creating alternatives to systematic oppression.”

http://bitchmagazine.org/post/what-does-a-feminist-look-like-teaching-boys-about-feminism

Sorry about the source (for those that have issue with the "b" word) but thought it was an article worth sharing.

[Warpy]

1. Feminism, at its absolute core, is the shocking proposition

that women are human beings. Many if not most men are on board with that, although letting go of entitlement is still hard for even the best of them.

All antifeminist agitation is dedicated to the proposition that women are not fully human, lack the capacity for free will, and remain permanently as children needing male guidance.

No man can relate to what it's like growing up female just like I can't relate to gender dysphoria issues. However, understanding the hideousness of the social taboos around both isn't necessary. Admitting they exist and working to overturn them is enough.

[WingDinger]

2. Thats why I settled for radical egalitarian. Just as supportive, for all intents and purposes.

[niyad]

3. k and r--thank you for posting this

as for the "b" word--my response is one of several, depending on the person. "you say this like it's a bad thing." or, "I am not A b****, I am THE B****, and, to you, I am Ms. B****"

[justiceischeap]

4. I just didn't want anyone to be offended. :)

I'd hate for the thread to be derailed because of the source of the article.

Oh, and you're welcome.

[niyad]

5. I know what you mean, and, having seen some of the alerts around here, that was a possibility.

[obamanut2012]

6. Don;t apologize -- Bitch Magazine is an excellent source

If you're on Facebook, "Like" them. They post great info.

Great article, too.