One of the things that inspired me to start this blog was how frequently I noticed that class is ignored (or, what I suspect happens more frequently, it is forgotten) when thinking about and discussing issues of oppression. This really struck me when I partook in what I consider my "initiation" into e-activism, in my moderating of this group protesting the students at Ryerson University who wanted to start a "White Culture Club".
If you go to school in Toronto (or even if you don't) you probably remember the controversy that started when some Ryerson students started a Facebook group called "I'm a White Minority at a Toronto University". The group was quickly shut down though the students continued to communicate in related Facebook groups, and their student council's stance against a physical "White Culture Club" further galvanized their resolve.
The issue? That students of other self-identified cultural and racial backgrounds could start groups, such as the "South Asian Students' Association" or the "Black Students Association". If these students could form groups based around cultural and/or racial labels, what would be harmful about white students doing the same thing? At the same time, many of these students (though not all) vehemently denied harboring racist sentiments and/or intentions.
(An aside: it was suggested countless times by myself and others that an alternate strategy would be to establish cultural groups such as "Irish Culture Club" or "Hungarian Culture Club" or whatever. These ideas were always rejected.)
Amongst those students who did not consider themselves racist (although I disagreed with their self-assessment, as their actions spoke louder than their words!) an overarching frustration which caused them to want to "celebrate white culture" was the feeling that "white" students were missing out on opportunities, particularly in the university environment, where there are scholarships, internships and so on which are frequently geared towards members of certain historically (and currently) marginalized groups. When this came up, I tried to point out that what they're actually talking about experiencing is classism, not "reverse racism" ("I can't qualify for this or that scholarship because I'm white! That's discrimination!"). I would bring up the fact that education has become a privilege for the wealthy, as opposed to a right that should be available to everyone regardless of economic status. Still, these students refused (or were unable) to see that they were experiencing marginalization based on class rather than race.
This got me thinking: Why is class such an under-considered form of oppression? We are all subject to "being classed", regardless of race. It is so universal yet it can be so invisible. Is it because "race" is so visible? Or is it because "race" and "racism" are so much a part of our everyday lives and personal narratives that we are trained to think along its lines more than those of classism?
What do you think?
Monday, May 28, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Axe Deodorant
You better be fucking kidding me.
That's right, because women are animals that helplessly follow and maul any pheromones on men from which they get a whiff.
Oh wait, that's offensive to the animals.
That's right, because women are animals that helplessly follow and maul any pheromones on men from which they get a whiff.
Oh wait, that's offensive to the animals.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Three Waves Of Feminism
On a forum that I moderate and in which I have (proudly) become known as the resident radical feminist, another member asked me to elaborate upon the "waves" of feminism to which I frequently refer in my postings there. Since most people do not take courses in Women's Studies, Equity Studies or another social science and therefore may not have the background, here is a short and non-academic summary of the three distinct feminist movements of the 20th century.
The First Wave: This era of feminism lasted from about 1900-1920. It is characterized by the suffragette movement which was concerned primarily with women obtaining the right to vote, rather than having their political preferences represented by their husbands/fathers. Other aspects of this era of feminism include causes we would now consider "right-wing", that is, anti-abortion and for prohibition of alcohol. Don't let groups like this fool you; Susan B. Anthony and the others who were against abortion opposed it because it would allow men to have extramarital affairs and keep them secret (since in this pre reliable birth control era, babies were a frequent product of extramarital unions), rather than due to some perceived personhood bestowed upon the unborn fetus. These women opposed alcohol because their husbands often "drank away" their paycheques thus depriving the woman of income with which to care for (often numerous) children.
The Second Wave: This era began around the same time as the Civil Rights movement in the US, and occurred throughout the 1960s-1970s. This is the era of Gloria Steinem, Germaine Greer and Simone de Beauvoir - the one that my mother was raised on. Bra-burning has become a symbol of this supposedly "radical" brand of feminism - a feminism which asked for women's work both in and outside of the home to be recognized as equal to that of men, and asked for a woman's right to sovereignty over her own body. The pivotal 1973 case of Roe v. Wade in the US ushered in a new era of women's reproductive rights, while Our Bodies, Ourselves taught women what they didn't learn in Biology 101 about their genitals and how to enjoy them. This era of feminism has been critiqued for its privileging of white middle class womens' needs over those of others, which is what led to...
The Third Wave: This era began during the 1980s and is arguably the one in which we currently live. In response to concerns raised by groups like the Combahee River Collective (their statement can be found here) that the movement was not meeting the needs of women of colour, lesbian women, transgendered women, disabled women, and working class women among others, the feminist movement as it had been known until this point began to splinter and separate into several smaller groups, many of which formed and pursued its own specific mandate and cause. The idea of the "universal sisterhood", of all women sharing a bond and common interest inherent to their gender was seriously questioned since the most visible movers and shakers of the feminist movement up until this point had been white middle class women. Oppression between groups of women was explored, and the idea of "equality" was complicated so that it was no longer between "women" and "men", existing in a dichotomy of "good" and "bad". This era has been marked with major theoretical breakthroughs and the adoption of ideas like postructuralist theory in discussing and writing about feminism.
There, in a nutshell, is the nature and achievements of the three main "waves" of feminism during the past 100 years. Have something to add? Please expand upon my thoughts in the comments.
The First Wave: This era of feminism lasted from about 1900-1920. It is characterized by the suffragette movement which was concerned primarily with women obtaining the right to vote, rather than having their political preferences represented by their husbands/fathers. Other aspects of this era of feminism include causes we would now consider "right-wing", that is, anti-abortion and for prohibition of alcohol. Don't let groups like this fool you; Susan B. Anthony and the others who were against abortion opposed it because it would allow men to have extramarital affairs and keep them secret (since in this pre reliable birth control era, babies were a frequent product of extramarital unions), rather than due to some perceived personhood bestowed upon the unborn fetus. These women opposed alcohol because their husbands often "drank away" their paycheques thus depriving the woman of income with which to care for (often numerous) children.
The Second Wave: This era began around the same time as the Civil Rights movement in the US, and occurred throughout the 1960s-1970s. This is the era of Gloria Steinem, Germaine Greer and Simone de Beauvoir - the one that my mother was raised on. Bra-burning has become a symbol of this supposedly "radical" brand of feminism - a feminism which asked for women's work both in and outside of the home to be recognized as equal to that of men, and asked for a woman's right to sovereignty over her own body. The pivotal 1973 case of Roe v. Wade in the US ushered in a new era of women's reproductive rights, while Our Bodies, Ourselves taught women what they didn't learn in Biology 101 about their genitals and how to enjoy them. This era of feminism has been critiqued for its privileging of white middle class womens' needs over those of others, which is what led to...
The Third Wave: This era began during the 1980s and is arguably the one in which we currently live. In response to concerns raised by groups like the Combahee River Collective (their statement can be found here) that the movement was not meeting the needs of women of colour, lesbian women, transgendered women, disabled women, and working class women among others, the feminist movement as it had been known until this point began to splinter and separate into several smaller groups, many of which formed and pursued its own specific mandate and cause. The idea of the "universal sisterhood", of all women sharing a bond and common interest inherent to their gender was seriously questioned since the most visible movers and shakers of the feminist movement up until this point had been white middle class women. Oppression between groups of women was explored, and the idea of "equality" was complicated so that it was no longer between "women" and "men", existing in a dichotomy of "good" and "bad". This era has been marked with major theoretical breakthroughs and the adoption of ideas like postructuralist theory in discussing and writing about feminism.
There, in a nutshell, is the nature and achievements of the three main "waves" of feminism during the past 100 years. Have something to add? Please expand upon my thoughts in the comments.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
E-Activism
If you're reading this blog, you're taking part in e-activism (or internet activism) right now. A mind changed behind a computer screen is no different from a mind changed on the street.
The Wikipedia article above addresses some of the pros and cons of e-activism, including the lack of accessibility, which is an issue close to many a feminist's heart. While I recognize that this is a legitimate and serious concern, it is also essential to recognize the power available in using the internet to reach out to others. Physical activism can be exhausting, emotionally and physically, while e-activism (like reading or writing a blog) can be carried out according to one's schedule, no matter how busy she is with school, work, family obligations or anything else. This allows many who were previously unable to take part in activism to do so.
Another advantage to e-activism is the relative safety offered by the lack of physical confrontation. Having done pro-choice activism, I know firsthand how intimidating (and sickening) it can be to find yourself face to face with those who truly believe that abortion doctors are the underground, state sanctioned Nazis or KKK of modern society.
Furthermore, engaging in discussion that takes place via fora or blog comments (as opposed to "real time" media like MSN Messenger) can allow one time to think about a response to an inflammatory or hateful remark rather than toss back a simple (and likely, satisfying at the time) "fuck you!"
Since I am just starting my blog, I would love to hear your ideas about e-activism, and what I should consider while running the blog. Please let me know in the comments!
The Wikipedia article above addresses some of the pros and cons of e-activism, including the lack of accessibility, which is an issue close to many a feminist's heart. While I recognize that this is a legitimate and serious concern, it is also essential to recognize the power available in using the internet to reach out to others. Physical activism can be exhausting, emotionally and physically, while e-activism (like reading or writing a blog) can be carried out according to one's schedule, no matter how busy she is with school, work, family obligations or anything else. This allows many who were previously unable to take part in activism to do so.
Another advantage to e-activism is the relative safety offered by the lack of physical confrontation. Having done pro-choice activism, I know firsthand how intimidating (and sickening) it can be to find yourself face to face with those who truly believe that abortion doctors are the underground, state sanctioned Nazis or KKK of modern society.
Furthermore, engaging in discussion that takes place via fora or blog comments (as opposed to "real time" media like MSN Messenger) can allow one time to think about a response to an inflammatory or hateful remark rather than toss back a simple (and likely, satisfying at the time) "fuck you!"
Since I am just starting my blog, I would love to hear your ideas about e-activism, and what I should consider while running the blog. Please let me know in the comments!
Welcome and Purpose
Welcome to Angry Young Woman's blog.
I chose this name because it relates to two of my idols, Yoko Ono and Alanis Morissette, whose words, actions and visions have helped shape me into the feminist I am today. Angry and skeptical, but with hope as to how I may be able to help facilitate change in a world that would rather ignore its inherent misogyny, sexism, racist, classism, ableism, heterosexism - you name it - and continue to allow the majority of its population fall victim to these discriminations.
You may have heard of the different "waves" of feminism that have taken place throughout the 20th century. I proudly operate in the tradition of the second wave, but with the belief that the tenets of the third wave are essential in identifying and addressing issues of concern to feminists in our current place and time in history. This means I subscribe to the notion of a "universal sisterhood" and have a particular interest in women's reproductive rights and roles in and out of the workplace, but with the qualifier that one must always question one's assumptions and constructions about everything surrounding her - including the experiences, points of view and motivations of other women and feminists।
The purpose of this blog is to incite response, whether it be thought, action or calling me a dirty commie - if you've responded to what you've read in the blog postings or comments, I've accomplished my goal. Comments are enabled for anyone. If you make derogatory, discriminatory or downright hateful comments, they will be moderated at my discretion - after they have been left up for a time to speak for your hate, ignorance and weak argument. Though there may be some who agree with you that an effective way for arguing against a woman's right to choose is by calling me a baby killer, there are an equal number of people who will automatically discount your point of view for this attack. I will return to the comments pages and engage in discussion with those who post, as this is an essential part of e-activism (more on that later).
So, now that I've got my qualifiers out of the way, here we go!
I chose this name because it relates to two of my idols, Yoko Ono and Alanis Morissette, whose words, actions and visions have helped shape me into the feminist I am today. Angry and skeptical, but with hope as to how I may be able to help facilitate change in a world that would rather ignore its inherent misogyny, sexism, racist, classism, ableism, heterosexism - you name it - and continue to allow the majority of its population fall victim to these discriminations.
You may have heard of the different "waves" of feminism that have taken place throughout the 20th century. I proudly operate in the tradition of the second wave, but with the belief that the tenets of the third wave are essential in identifying and addressing issues of concern to feminists in our current place and time in history. This means I subscribe to the notion of a "universal sisterhood" and have a particular interest in women's reproductive rights and roles in and out of the workplace, but with the qualifier that one must always question one's assumptions and constructions about everything surrounding her - including the experiences, points of view and motivations of other women and feminists।
The purpose of this blog is to incite response, whether it be thought, action or calling me a dirty commie - if you've responded to what you've read in the blog postings or comments, I've accomplished my goal. Comments are enabled for anyone. If you make derogatory, discriminatory or downright hateful comments, they will be moderated at my discretion - after they have been left up for a time to speak for your hate, ignorance and weak argument. Though there may be some who agree with you that an effective way for arguing against a woman's right to choose is by calling me a baby killer, there are an equal number of people who will automatically discount your point of view for this attack. I will return to the comments pages and engage in discussion with those who post, as this is an essential part of e-activism (more on that later).
So, now that I've got my qualifiers out of the way, here we go!
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