Last spring I posted a series of blog posts on feminism. I came of age after the feminist movement, and the word “feminist” had never had a lot of relevance to me. But upon invitation to associate with a feminist law professor group last spring, I began to ponder the term more.
I sought insight from a number of people of different backgrounds. It was really interesting to hear their varied insights. I noted in the resulting blog posts that the rather benign dictionary definition of “feminism” is so different from the modern connotations that have evolved. These days, in many quarters, the term is viewed very negatively and can inspire tremendous hostility.
I received a lot of interest and positive feedback from those blog posts on feminism. For those who continue to be interested in the topic, I thought you might enjoy the blog post at the link below; it was written by Stephen Prothero (a religion scholar at Boston University). It was posted on CNN’s “Belief Blog.”
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/02/my-take-feminist-theology-and-feminism-r-i-p/?hpt=Sbin
Acts 5:29 (New King James Version)
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
I sought insight from a number of people of different backgrounds. It was really interesting to hear their varied insights. I noted in the resulting blog posts that the rather benign dictionary definition of “feminism” is so different from the modern connotations that have evolved. These days, in many quarters, the term is viewed very negatively and can inspire tremendous hostility.
I received a lot of interest and positive feedback from those blog posts on feminism. For those who continue to be interested in the topic, I thought you might enjoy the blog post at the link below; it was written by Stephen Prothero (a religion scholar at Boston University). It was posted on CNN’s “Belief Blog.”
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/02/my-take-feminist-theology-and-feminism-r-i-p/?hpt=Sbin
Acts 5:29 (New King James Version)
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
The article in the link posted was something of a non-article in that while the topic of modern day feminism needs addressing, there was no presentation of an argument. I came of age in the post-feminist 80's and 90's, and have heard the negative expressions "femi-nazi" and "man-hater", etc, and personally am neither of those. In fact, the genuine meaning of feminism has been lost in the ether--thanks no doubt to both extremists within the movement, and to women-hating men. A man who resents women is not a "sexist" per se, however his behavior, attitude, and opinions may seem so. "Feminists" in the actual definition of the word*and purpose* was make women equal to men under the law. We are not "superior", nor are we "subordinate", however, we are not "the same." Biologically, hormonally, and emotionally, men and women are not the same. These distinctions need to be reintroduced into feminist thought and practice.
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