'Post-Feminist': Why Ubiquitous Use of the Term Is an Insult to Feminism

[Neoma]

I didn't count how many times Kate Betts used the word "post-feminist" in her interesting new book, "Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style," but it was certainly enough to make me queasy the first time and full-on nauseated by the end -- and overall I liked the book! As a 35-year-old feminist, the seemingly ubiquitous use of the term "post-feminist" seems to signal an ache on the part of those who use it to declare feminism dead and gone, despite very active momentum on various fronts and more than enough self-proclaimed feminists to render the use of the term curious.

(snip)

Yet what's commonly referred to as second-wave feminism (the 1960s and '70s version) is not, in fact, the entirety of a movement that is still going on, albeit in different ways, and it's now commonly understood that there are "feminisms" -- strands of feminism -- rather than one monolithic version. The problem with using the singular brand name "feminism" is akin to using the word "women": It's too big, too vast to cover all the people who either consider themselves some kind of feminist or who are engaging in "feminist" acts.

(snip)

My biggest problem with the term is that it almost always carries a judgment against feminism, or what the author perceives feminism to be. Often this is a sly (or not so sly) dig at the perceived ills of third-wave feminism, a dig at its permissiveness and wide embrace of feminist styles. I'm not arguing that the actions of feminists (or anyone else) are above reproach, but attack them on their merits, rather than with a fake term that doesn't actually mean anything.

Read Here.

[felix_numinous]

1. Interesting

how effective the use of language is in changing the way people think about people. It seems the most subtle shifts in terms are the most powerful, since they slip by unnoticed. It is well worth it to be aware, because then we can make sure we reclaim the original concept.

Feminism is acknowledging women as sentient and equal humans. How the discourse changed over the years to distort this simple and basic term is an amazing feat of brainwashing and cultism. I sit in awe of it myself.

[Neoma]

2. Sometimes I say a phrase and I have to look up where it originated.

Subtle offensive words creep by all the time. Like the word gypped. Probably originated from the name gypsy. How about that, huh?

[felix_numinous]

3. Absolutely--

I think you are right about gypped. These days language is really being used against women and minorities--subtle slippage of not only gesture and tonality, but in these alterations that are very powerful. I think part of being aware and awake is to stay on top of the misuse of language by people who are in the business of changing the country.

Feminism was shifted from representing all the WORK done by thousands of women to empower themselves, into some sort of character assassination meant to take away a woman's whole identity. Whatever was done, it worked back then and the whole movement was derailed, and the ERA never passed. What a mind job.

I think it is important to know what actually happened so these same tactics cannot be used again. We cannot allow the dialogue to be changed about anything--let liars be called liars not that 'they misspoke', let's not allow our LANGUAGE to be taken away from us.

Great thread!! I guess you can see I feel a bit strongly about this.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. My problem with the term has nothing to do with the third wave or other feminisms.

It's the impression it leaves that there is no longer any gender equality issue thus no need for feminism. It's wrong in the same way that assuming America is a "post-racial" society because Obama was elected.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. me too. nt