Feminist Philosophy
What is feminism?
In modern times,
the word “feminism” has come to describe a sub-group of radical, man-hating,
lesbians. The true definition and movement couldn't be any more different from
this. While there are still many different views and perspectives on what
feminism is, most can believe in a central theory: there is an injustice being
done towards women and feminists strive for true equality between the sexes-all
sexes. There is a great debate among feminists on what constitutes injustice,
and a lot of people who agree that everyone should have equality don’t think
women are being treated unfairly in today’s society (though a quick look at
average pay-rates per profession by gender could tell you otherwise). Feminism
isn’t just for women, though: our society puts blanketed gender-stereotypes on
men and women that are harmful to everyone.
Feminist Pragmatism
Feminist
pragmatism is a branch of philosophy that feels that feminism and pragmatism go
hand-in-hand- “pragmatism” is a branch of philosophy popularized by William
James in the late 19th century that states that if an ideology is
practical in its consequences, it is therefore true. Impractical ideas should
be eradicated. Feminist-pragmatists seek to solve today’s gender problems using
this pragmatic thought-process. Hull-House, a home for European immigrants opened in 1889 by Nobel Prize Winners Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, became a hub for female pragmatists (and any woman who wanted to receive an education in society and the arts!)
Jane Addams
What Has Feminism Done Recently?
While true equality has yet to be attained, positive changes
have happened for women recently. For example, transgendered woman Laverne Cox
was the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a television show,
Orange is the New Black. Not only is
she a pioneer for feminism, but for the LGBT* community as well. The Red
Umbrella Fund was created in 2012, which is the first global fund run by and
for sex workers. Argentina recently passed an incredibly progressive law
allowing anyone to change their registered sex without intervention by a
doctor. Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani political activist, has been
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. These are just a few examples of how feminism is
transforming the world we live in!
Works Cited
Haslanger, Sally.
"Topics in Feminism." Stanford University. Stanford University, 07
Feb. 2003. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
"Feminist
Pragmatism." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr.
2015.
Herman, Emmanuelle.
"Celebrating 21st-Century Feminism and Why It Matters." The
Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
I love this. First and foremost I love that you clarify that feminists are not "a sub-group of radical, man-hating, lesbians." I know quite a few people who say that what your definition of feminists is, should actually be called equalists. I disagree. That would be like looking at ISIS, branding all muslims as extremists, and then saying that those who have nothing to do with ISIS should be called something besides muslim. (hehe, funny that the same people who do this generalization are typically the same who think you should be called an equalist.) SO yes, what you are describing is feminism. And, as I myself consider myself a feminist (yes, I'm male. Yes, I think that women deserve equal pay for equal work, and equal rights, and shouldn't have to live in fear of rape and unwanted advances.) I totally love this. Keep it up Jeanette, you are awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt's been so strange and disappointing, over the course of my lifetime, to see the rise of empowering feminism followed so quickly by a retrograde backlash and the vilification of a movement whose singularly modest goal was to achieve fairness and equality of opportunity for us all. (Thanks, Rush Limbaugh and company.) We all have mothers, sisters, and/or daughters; we should all be feminists.
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