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Topic: Globe and Mail: It's Official: Feminism Is Dead
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jrose
babble intern
Babbler # 13401
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posted 30 January 2008 05:23 AM
It's Official: Feminism is Dead quote: Whether it's because we've all fallen asleep at our tasks like Snow White, or whether we've been outplayed in a subtle and long-standing culture war, what is clear is that we are living in a new era of post-feminism. That the young women I know see no great victory in Hillary Clinton's run for the U.S. presidency is proof enough. That they also see Barack Obama as the one candidate who represents "change" is nothing less than astounding.SNIP At the same time, according to numerous recent global studies, women - even those part of the growing ranks of double-income families - still shoulder the brunt of both housework and child care. And the right to choose, a key rallying cry for traditional feminists, is so taken for granted by today's young women that they giggle along with the hipster protagonists in Knocked Up who aren't mature enough to say the word "abortion" and the wisecracking teenager in Juno who opts to carry her baby to term because the abortion clinic gives her the creeps. But worst of all is feminism's failure to create true sisterhood. Like mean girls in the playground, we started feeling all warm and fuzzy toward Clinton only after our claws and barbs drew tears. Which, given the current "race versus feminism" question, might help explain why Clinton is doing just about as well with black voters as Obama is doing with women. Because if there is one thing that blacks and women share, apart from their oppression from the white male corridors of power, it is their enduring lack of faith in their own community.
A number of letters to the editor have appeared in the Globe and Mail since this article was published on Saturday, including one by Stacey May Fowles, which begins: quote: As the publisher of a feminist magazine for teenage girls, and as a proud 28-year-old feminist, I'm truly astounded by Karen von Hahn's article It's Official: Feminism Is Out Of Style (Jan. 26). It's official? Whether or not your 26-year-old niece or 18-year-old daughter happens to know who Gloria Steinem is doesn't qualify as "research" on my generation's belief systems on gender equality.
From: Ottawa | Registered: Oct 2006
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bigcitygal
Volunteer Moderator
Babbler # 8938
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posted 30 January 2008 05:30 AM
Sigh.I'm too lazy to look up the references, but when the second wave began, back in the early 70s, within one year the MSM was proclaiming that feminism was dead. Hey, the MSM creates the news, as much as it reports it, right? And nobody in the MS ever wanted feminism, in any form or wave, right? So we shouldn't be surprised. In fact, I would almost say that since doofuses, I mean, editors, at the G&M feel it's important to continue to shout this "news", that we must be doing something right, then. Or maybe it was a slow news day. It's still frikking annoying though.
From: It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent - Q | Registered: Apr 2005
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remind
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6289
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posted 30 January 2008 08:18 AM
They, the patriarchy, want feminism dead, and as such want to frame the debate that it is, in order to marginalize, and denigrate feminists, in order to control 50% of the population. If young girls, do not yet appreciate, what their mothers, aunts and grandmothers have been fighting for now, they certainly will know by the time they are 27 or 28. And by the time they are into their late 30's and the 40 years, they will see how they were "hornswaggled" into belieiving patriarchy does not exist and there is nothing feminists need to fight for. If feminism has failed to create a sisterhood, and I take strong exception to that statement, as I believe it is not accurate, then stronger actions and words need to be used to combat, the forces against women's equality. Having said that, disagreements between women in seeking true equality, are to be expected, as in the case of familiar sisterhood. Sisters may fight, but they recognize the ties that bind them anyway and will unite under threats to their safety and security, as well as for common cause.
From: "watching the tide roll away" | Registered: Jun 2004
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rural - Francesca
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14858
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posted 01 February 2008 05:41 AM
quote: Originally posted by writer: Interesting you should mention Rosa Parks. Viola Desmond is profiled in the first feature of section15.ca. Why don't most Canadians know about her?
I noted the same thing!
From: the backyard | Registered: Dec 2007
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Wilf Day
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3276
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posted 01 February 2008 06:06 AM
quote: Originally posted by writer: Viola Desmond is profiled in the first feature of section15.ca. Why don't most Canadians know about her?
Very good question. She's new to me.Why don't more Canadians know about Emily Stowe? I mean, she only founded the suffrage movement in Canada, and was our first woman school principal (1852), the first woman to practice medicine in Canada (1867), organized the Women’s Medical College in Toronto, and so on. At least Wikipedia knows about her. And she rated a Canadian postal stamp in 1981. And there are several books about her, including a couple of books for young readers, one of which should be in every school classroom (but they aren't.) But has anyone much noticed how far ahead of her time she was? She organized our first suffrage group in 1877 when its members had to use a fake name for it for its first 6 years, working undercover. Her daughter Augusta Stowe-Gullen was first woman doctor to graduate from a Canadian medical school, in 1883, and was the first woman elected a school trustee in 1892, and the second President of the Dominion Women's Enfranchisement Association in 1903 (suceeding her mother). In short, Emily Stowe was a really full generation ahead of our early feminists. So why isn't she as well known as Sir John A. Macdonald? Dumb question. [ 01 February 2008: Message edited by: Wilf Day ]
From: Port Hope, Ontario | Registered: Oct 2002
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Ken Burch
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 8346
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posted 01 February 2008 04:07 PM
The Globe's declaration on this subject is about as authoritative as the once-infamous(and now long-forgotten) Time magazine cover story that juxtaposed neurotic, anorexic sitcom character Ally McBeal with the faces of Susan B. Anthony, Betty Friedan, and Gloria Steinem to ask the question that was on no one's mind:Is Feminism Dead? (the answers, for those Time editors and publishers who'd forgotten them, are: ) A)No. B)Even though you paid that cute young Ginia Bellafonte to write an article asking if feminism was dead, it wasn't and it isn't, so you guys in the executive suite STILL have to pay your alimony checks each month. Feminism didn't break up your marriages, media guys. Your egos, your tempers and your pesky habit of fucking your secretaries did that. [ 01 February 2008: Message edited by: Ken Burch ]
[ 01 February 2008: Message edited by: Ken Burch ] [ 01 February 2008: Message edited by: Ken Burch ] [ 01 February 2008: Message edited by: Ken Burch ] [ 01 February 2008: Message edited by: Ken Burch ]
From: A seedy truckstop on the Information Superhighway | Registered: Feb 2005
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adam stratton
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14803
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posted 07 February 2008 08:19 PM
In light of my readings on Babble, I do not think that feminism is dead. It has just suffered an appendicitis but now that its appendix has been removed, it leads a healthy life.An example can be provided through the narrative of our fellow Babbler Remind whose solidarity with her gender has been lately limited to women of the upper echelons. Remind stands with her gender, in the corporate world that is ! quote: How does it feel standing in solidarity with your gender in the coporate world? Fucking good I hope, because progressive men, as evidenced here, are no allies with progressive women. As far as I am concerned you men have been spewing nothing but hate towards women, when you tell us not to stand with our gender, as they were only out for themselves and would do nothing for other women.. Remind in http://tinyurl.com/2qdnay
And here is Remind, not standing with her gender.. the poor, the victim of patriarchal polygamy: quote: I disagree with providing additional support, of any type, for an additional spouse, and I would be up in arms if such a thing was attempted here. -Remind in http://tinyurl.com/2ry7as
Or is the difference between the women in the corporate world who merit Remind's solidarity and the women who are poor, victims of patriarchal polygamy and who do not merit Remind's solidarity is that difference of a nature or characteristic other nature than class? Feminism is not dead. It is being infected by some people's hypocrisy, to be put it mildly. [ 07 February 2008: Message edited by: adam stratton ]
From: Eastern Ontario | Registered: Dec 2007
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adam stratton
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14803
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posted 08 February 2008 03:51 AM
quote: Pathetic. -martin dufresne
I understand your frustration for not having been able to refute my argument that feminism is being underminded by the hypocrisy of some, exemple à l'appui ! [ 08 February 2008: Message edited by: adam stratton ]
From: Eastern Ontario | Registered: Dec 2007
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adam stratton
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14803
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posted 08 February 2008 05:51 AM
Fine Michelle. I am out of the feminism forum.ETA: I did not attack "women". I exposed the hypocrisy of one woman and I challenge her to refute my argument. [ 08 February 2008: Message edited by: adam stratton ]
From: Eastern Ontario | Registered: Dec 2007
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bigcitygal
Volunteer Moderator
Babbler # 8938
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posted 08 February 2008 07:40 AM
Le Tele, very good point. I think the women's movement as defined at the time that Rosa Parks made history (there's a whole backstory to the Rosa Parks official story. I'll start a thread on it when I have a chance) did not include Rosa Parks and her action, and also did not include the implications her action had for Black women and Black men. I can say this with certainty, since her action and its resulting success isn't listed in the historical moments of the women's movement of the time. But yes, absolutely, Rosa Parks was part of the women's movement, as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for the reminder, Le Tele.
From: It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent - Q | Registered: Apr 2005
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morningstar
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12378
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posted 12 February 2008 06:12 PM
wow! Feminism sure is alive and kicking in our small town and it didn't take much for us to get it rolling. Our bookclub is now a political group that is putting a proud feminist agenda into political action. We are doing quarterly public round tables at the library on topics like women in the sex trade, male violence/the war on women, the military/peace. We are also starting a program in the local highschools with a film from the 70's(Visible Woman") and public displays about the Famous Five and person's day.We realize that even though we have good instincts, we need more background on feminism, soo, we're trying to find someone to give a "Feminism 101" course for women in our group and then, hopefully, for people in the community Feminism 101 should be on offer at every community education centre/college. I think that the miss g project has developed a course for highschools that could be used in the general self improvement community education programs. It would help people to counteract this absurd media/popularculture propaganda that feminism has had to contend with for hundreds of years---even Mary Wolstencroft? was getting the same old "man hater" , unfeminine label---when was that? 1600 s? We are also organizing a conference with other Liberal women's groups---we all need to learn how to view society through a female lens and collaberate to change how our party "does" gender balance. I'm committed to getting this understanding embedded so deeply in the political/social process that we'll never be forced back---even if things fall apart. Social justice and feminism need to become inextricably linked in our society's concious, so that we become clear that one can't exist without the other I can't understand how anyone can think that gender justice is a done deal---even here in Canada. Over half of my university educated women friends have been raped, beaten or both---usually by guys in suits. Even at my age, the odd bozo feels that he can comment on my body and when I write about abortion, women's day, or any other so called "feminist" topic, the old boys go nuts---along with a more than a few women. We so need open public discourse about feminist issues/thought daily in our communities. Our group bought a buttonmaker, it helps get things moving along nicely. with any luck, none of us will get shot. my background is history, and it seems to me that true gender balance is the one thing that humans have never tried---if we can somehow do this on a global scale, I truly believe that humanity will never look back and we will be able to create real justice in every area of life. it's my dream and my life work---good thing I work for free, eh? take care all. congrats, Writer---it looks wonderful---we'll be reading it.
From: stratford, on | Registered: Apr 2006
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remind
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6289
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posted 13 February 2008 12:21 PM
quote: Originally posted by morningstar: wow! Feminism sure is alive and kicking in our small town and it didn't take much for us to get it rolling. Our bookclub is now a political group that is putting a proud feminist agenda into political action. We are doing quarterly public round tables at the library on topics like women in the sex trade, male violence/the war on women, the military/peace. We are also starting a program in the local highschools with a film from the 70's(Visible Woman") and public displays about the Famous Five and person's day.We realize that even though we have good instincts, we need more background on feminism, soo, we're trying to find someone to give a "Feminism 101" course for women in our group and then, hopefully, for people in the community Feminism 101 should be on offer at every community education centre/college. I think that the miss g project has developed a course for highschools that could be used in the general self improvement community education programs. It would help people to counteract this absurd media/popularculture propaganda that feminism has had to contend with for hundreds of years---even Mary Wolstencroft? was getting the same old "man hater" , unfeminine label---when was that? 1600 s? We are also organizing a conference with other Liberal women's groups---we all need to learn how to view society through a female lens and collaberate to change how our party "does" gender balance. I'm committed to getting this understanding embedded so deeply in the political/social process that we'll never be forced back---even if things fall apart. Social justice and feminism need to become inextricably linked in our society's concious, so that we become clear that one can't exist without the other I can't understand how anyone can think that gender justice is a done deal---even here in Canada. Over half of my university educated women friends have been raped, beaten or both---usually by guys in suits. Even at my age, the odd bozo feels that he can comment on my body and when I write about abortion, women's day, or any other so called "feminist" topic, the old boys go nuts---along with a more than a few women. We so need open public discourse about feminist issues/thought daily in our communities. Our group bought a buttonmaker, it helps get things moving along nicely. with any luck, none of us will get shot. my background is history, and it seems to me that true gender balance is the one thing that humans have never tried---if we can somehow do this on a global scale, I truly believe that humanity will never look back and we will be able to create real justice in every area of life. it's my dream and my life work---good thing I work for free, eh? take care all. congrats, Writer---it looks wonderful---we'll be reading it.
Most excellent post and sharing morningstarm thank you for this!!!
From: "watching the tide roll away" | Registered: Jun 2004
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laine lowe
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 13668
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posted 13 February 2008 05:41 PM
If feminism was dead (as many on the right wished were so), why did so many rightfully and publicly complain when Harper made budget cuts and fiddled with program eligibility for the Status of Women Canada? If feminism was dead, why did so many mobilize voices to counteract the right wing freeping for criminalizing abortion on CBC's misguided Facebook challenge? If feminism was dead, why did so many progressive bloggers celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the SCC's decision to strike down Canada's abortion laws? If feminism was dead, why are many mobilizing to ensure that Epp's private member's bill, "Unborn Victims of Violent Crime" be defeated in the HoC? Feminism in Canada is alive and kicking much to the chagrin of the right wing.
From: north of 50 | Registered: Dec 2006
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jrose
babble intern
Babbler # 13401
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posted 07 March 2008 10:09 AM
Here is the Star's take on Feminism:Where have all the feminists gone? quote: So, where have all the feminists gone? A quick way to answer that is to Google "feminist activity." You will find websites for international feminist organizations, feminist academic articles and feminist blogs. The mass movement of the 1970s has translated over to the Internet. Women are connecting with women (and feminist-minded men) through this new way of creating communities aimed at ending sexual discrimination. The pulse of feminism is still beating strongly. But to find it, you have to listen a little harder.
From: Ottawa | Registered: Oct 2006
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minkepants
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 13708
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posted 16 March 2008 03:55 PM
quote: Originally posted by Polly Brandybuck:
Oh. Crap. I have not laughed so hard. I think I may have peed myself. I suppose that is not ladylike.
Where does that gibberish come from? One of the links? I love tough women. It all goes back to kindergarten "Why are you crying Timmy?" "Becky hit me" "But why?" "She likes me" On the other hand, moving heavy objects about the surface of the earth for women IS satisfing in a primal way.
From: Scarborough | Registered: Dec 2006
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