Poll Question: Are you a feminist?

[armyowalgreens]

Please explain why you chose yes, no or other.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Yes. None of this, "I'm not a feminist, but..." crap from me. nt

[BlooInBloo]

8. I'm a feminist, but...

I love bacon.

:P

[redqueen]

2. Yep.

Why? Because I think fairness is important.

[Book Lover]

3. Yes, for one simple reason

I am a feminist because I am a woman, and my civil equality is a right I demand recognized.

typo on edit

[LaPera]

4. I've always have been a supporter of women's rights, always will.

[HopeHoops]

5. I'm a guy but I've always felt women were equal (if not better).

I guess it fits that I ended up with three daughters ;}

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. Absolutely.

[Greyhound]

7. Yes, because feminism is indeed the radical notion that women are people, too.

[Better Believe It]

9. I can't be, I'm a man. Men can support feminists, as I do, but can't be one.

[armyowalgreens]

10. Why do you believe that?

What is your definition of feminist?

[Better Believe It]

56. I think this article sums up my views on this question.

And it depends on how you define feminism.

-------------------------



Can Men be Feminists?
It is crucial for men to be a part of feminist agency. If feminism is to attain its goal of liberating women, men must be a part of the struggle. Indeed, men probably bear more of the responsibility for ending oppression of women since patriarchal men have been the main perpetrators of that very oppression. But can men do this by becoming feminists?

Although I believe that men can be pro-feminist and anti-sexist, I do not believe we can be feminists in the strictest sense of the word in today's society. Men, in this patriarchal system, cannot remove themselves from their power and privilege in relation to women. To be a feminist one must be a member of the targeted group (i.e a woman) not only as a matter of classification but as having one's directly-lived experience inform one's theory and praxis.

A clear analogy can be made between male profeminism and anti-racism. Men cannot really be feminists anymore than whites can be black nationalists. However, men can be pro-feminist and whites can be pro-black nationalists. At the same time it is not enough to simply be a member of the disenfranchised minority to be either a feminist or a black nationalist. Feminism, like black nationalism requires political consciousness and even activism.

Sexism restricts roles for men as well as women. But while sexism impacts women more negatively than men it also affects individual women to differing degrees. Some women internalize sexist beliefs and subservient behaviors to a greater extent than others and do not/cannot embrace feminism.

http://www.nomas.org/node/122

[omega minimo]

12. Some men are feminist.

:thumbsup:

[Captain Hilts]

14. I think they can be feminists. nt

[myrna minx]

16. My male friends are feminists.

We're all in it together to achieve equality for all. :hi:

[Skittles]

18. WTF?

MEN CAN BE FEMINISTS - PLEASE LOOK UP THE DEFINITION

[Curtland1015]

11. I THINK so...

I believe women are certainly equals, and think they should be treated as such.

But then I was told I was sexist a few weeks back because I didn't think the word "lady" was demeaning... so I guess it depends on who you ask.

:shrug:

[Chemisse]

29. I think 'lady' is demeaning because

It suggests a certain behavior that is rather repressive to women. I was constantly told I needed to act like a lady when I was a child. 'Ladies' don't swear or sleep around or have bad manners. And if you are not a 'lady', you are basically a whore.

It's a very antiquated concept and a lot of older men still use it in that way.

[Chemisse]

30. I dislike that the term feminist implies

A desire for female superiority. That turns a lot of people off.

Nevertheless, I am a feminist, as the term is defined. I believe in equality in all parts of life. I am highly offended by attempts by men to demean and control women, but I am equally offended by women forcing men to be submissive to them.

[Gwendolyn]

38. I believe the word used to suggest behavior that was repressive to women,

because it did refer to sexual behavior. IMO not so much anymore. Today it seems the word is usually used to describe someone with good manners specifically. Much the same as the word gentleman is invoked. Nothing inherently wrong with that... good manners are still appreciated. Then there are people like the contractor currently working at our office who just refers to us all as "lady" even though our name plates are clearly visible.

[omega minimo]

13. Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.

[ZombieHorde]

15. Yes,because I want to live in a fair world. nt

[subcomhd]

17. other

"I agree for instance, that for the most part, men are vain, ignorant, greedy, brutal assholes who've just about ruined this planet...who've just...who've just about ruined this planet because they're afraid someone might have a bigger dick out there somewhere. Men are basically insecure about the size of their dicks and so they go to war over it. You don't have to be a political scientist or a history major to see the bigger dick foreign policy theory at work. It goes something like this..."what they have bigger dicks? Bomb them!!!" And of course the bombs and the bullets and the rockets are all shaped like dicks. I don't understand that part of it, but it is part of the equation. So I agree with that abstract. That man... men...males have pushed the technology that just about has this planet in a stranglehold. Mother Earth raped again, guess who..."hey she was asking for it."

"I also happen to like it when feminists attack these fat-ass housewives who think there's nothing more to life that sitting home on the telephone, drinking coffee, watching TV and pumping out a baby every nine months. P-poom, p-poom, p-poom, p-poom, p-poom...will seven be enough Bob?...p-poom, p-poom. But what's the alternative? What's the alternative to pumping out a unit every nine months? Pointless careerism? Pointless careerism? Putting on a man-tailored suit with shoulder pads and imitating all the worst behavior of men? This is the noblest thing that women can think of? To take a job in a criminal corporation that's poisoning the environment and robbing customers out of their money? This is the worthiest thing they can think of? Isn't there something nobler they can do to be helping this planet heal? You don't hear much about that from these middle-class women. I've noticed that most of these feminists are white middle-class women. They don't give a shit about black women's problems. They don't care about Latino women. All they're interested in is their own reproductive freedom...and their pocketbooks."

GC RIP

[Soylent Brice]

19. yeppers.

[wuushew]

20. This poll shouldn't be necessary

Isn't feminism a default liberal value?

[Captain Hilts]

22. No, it isn't. Sad to say. nt

[armyowalgreens]

23. ...

I assume that it isn't necessary. But I'm testing whether or not it is actually necessary.

[omega minimo]

24. not in this party.

[Fleshdancer]

21. of course n/t

[Mrs. Overall]

25. Yes, I am.

[TheKentuckian]

26. Yes, I see women as equals and support efforts to ensure that

including equal pay and division of household duties.

and I hope to be a fine wife for some lucky lady one of these days.

[Gwendolyn]

27. Yes. Am a Bohemian Feminist rather than Church Lady Feminist though. n/t

[Sisaruus]

28. Yes, of course.

I also spent the last 3 decades as a professional feminist.

[tishaLA]

31. I even teach feminist theory

so...yeah.

[Sisaruus]

32. College level?

Would love to know what you assign for reading.

[tishaLA]

35. Yes. Depends on the theme

But I mostly teach French feminisms and American poststructuralists influenced by them (i.e., T. de Lauretis, G. Spivak, J. Butler, etc) and by structuralist and psychoanalytic theories (H. Spillers, J. Rose, D Haraway, etc).

[TxRider]

33. I don't think I'm a feminist

But it wouldn't bother me if women ran the whole world for while..

[Nuclear Unicorn]

34. Yes

I dare anyone to try and stop me.

[pitohui]

36. of course feminists believe in that crazy idea that we women are equal human beings

you don't even hear much lip service paid to the idea any more, but i know my brain and my heart, and i know i have just as much feelings and hopes and dreams as if i were born a male

i don't understand women who are anti-feminist or how you can be that injured inside, to hate yourself that much

if you are not for yourself, who are you for? at least...who are you for that's decent??? i'm sure lots of people are not for themselves who are in the kkk or some wingnutty snake handling church...but if you're mentally healthy to think of yourself (or your mother or your daughter!) as an equal human being deserving of fair treatment and fair pay...that's ABC kindergarten stuff

as for anti-feminist men, ok, i see the self interest there -- they don't want the competition, and cutting out women cuts down the competition in the marketplace by 50% at a whack -- but hell, don't they have mothers??? do they hate her so much? you read screeds from the 50s and all you can figure is that some of these guys really do hate life, even if your mother was a bad one, hey, she went thru a pretty harsh deal just to put you here on this planet...

[TxRider]

42. I would elect my mom president

The only thing I don't care for are people who are blind to the actual differences between men and women, we may be equal in some ways but not all.

Women are better in many ways at many things, men in others. That's just how evolution built us.

[nadinbrzezinski]

37. The accidental one

When I was your age I became an EMT in Mexico City.

Well I was amongst the first ones to do that. We fought a hard battle to get us on them rigs, and then on those overnight shifts. We had to prove ourselves every day.

Soon after I transfered to TJ, where I became a Mountain Rescue, confined rescue, and paramedic. So by the time I left many other women followed and today they serve the city.

I have learned recently that my example even influenced policy in San Diego, You see some San Diego Fire Fighters volunteered in TJ as well... and they saw us women pulling hose, and helping the FD fight fires. Well, that convinced them that women could do it... that and LAFD.

So yes, I am, and I actually helped to lead the way accidentally.

When I was your age I just did stuff, I was indestructible... these days I realize it did more than just a difference in patients lives.

May you open some doors, even if accidentally.

[BlueJazz]

39. I am a Feminist and have been from an early age. My Mother was heavily involved

in Women's Rights.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

40. I wouldn't consider myself "feminist"

I'm not opposed to any feminist views, it's just not something I go out and preaching. I guess you could say I support feminism but am not really active enough in that deptartment to be a feminist.

[gleaner]

41. Yes, I am a Feminist ....

I grew up in the 50s and learned what was expected of women then. Thank God for my mother who taught me the opposite. I have worked at the same jobs as men for less money, and I have had men try to denigrate my abilities and opinions since I was able to express them.

We have achieved a lot of gains, but we still have a long way to go. Night before last my neighbor across the street held a shotgun on his wife screaming threats to kill her. It caused a police standoff which lasted from 8:00 P.M. past 1:00 in the morning before the police could get his wife and kids out and safe. Today he's back over there working in his yard. When I called the police to ask why he had been released they responded that it was "only domestic violence." So since it was a woman who was his wife that made it somehow OK? If it had been another man, his butt would still be caressing the benches in jail.

And while I'm on the subject, equal pay for the same job would still be nice.

[Forkboy]

43. I think it falls under the umbrella of humanist for me.

And that I am.

[lumberjack_jeff]

44. No.

I support many feminist goals such as choice and human rights in the developing world but I am not a feminist.

[armyowalgreens]

45. That doesn't make any sense.

Could you give me your definition of "feminist"?

[lumberjack_jeff]

47. The definition given by NOW is "equality for women".

I support equality for everyone.

If one of the answers is unacceptable to you, why ask the question?

[armyowalgreens]

48. So you are a feminist, no?

[lumberjack_jeff]

49. I replied as I intended. No.

"Equality for me" <> "Equality for us"

[armyowalgreens]

51. Well I'm trying to figure out your definition of "feminist" not anyone elses...

Because I'm trying to understand why you would answer no.

[Kievan Rus]

46. Equality feminism, yes. Gender feminism, no.

[dysfunctional press]

50. feminism is a sexist term.

miriam webster gives his as the main definition:

"the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes."

if it's about equality, shouldn't it be something like 'personism' or 'equalism'...?

[armyowalgreens]

52. Not necessarily. Each group has a different type of fight and therefore it's own identity.

They all fall under equal rights movements. But they do have their own names.

[dysfunctional press]

60. and the name 'feminism' is a sexist one.

i'm not saying that it's a negative thing- just that it is sexist.

[lumberjack_jeff]

53. Advocacy for women is not necessarily sexist.

But it isn't equality, either.

If you have three apples and I have one, equality for me dictates that I advocate for getting my fair share of the apples.

The fact that I have 80% of the grapes and 90% of the oranges doesn't enter into the equation. It's up to you to advocate for equality for you.

[dysfunctional press]

59. advocay for either sex is 'sexist' on it's face.

[lumberjack_jeff]

64. Is the NAACP racist?

Personally, I don't think advocacy is inherently bigoted.

[geek tragedy]

54. Because we live in a PATRIARCHy not a PERSONarchy. nt

[redqueen]

63. Apparently lots of men feel personally attacked when confronted with that fact.

I've only heard such arguments from my formerly Rush-Limbaugh-listener ex. He stopped listening to Rush... but he never stopped thinking tha feminists were "against men."

It's fucked up... but then... well... Frederick Douglass was spot on, wasn't he?

[geek tragedy]

55. Feminist man here.

And, yes, I also like football, action films, and steak.

[MrScorpio]

57. I really don't know how to answer his question

I think that women and men are equals.

[Odin2005]

58. Yes, because it is morally right and because misogyny hurts both women AND us men.

Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.

[Echo In Light]

61. +1

[Morning Dew]

62. Where's the "Hell, YES" option?

:)

[butterfly77]

65. No.

I am a woman and I believe in womens'rights.

[mdmc]

66. ..

[treestar]

67. Fer sure

Sick of male supremacy and the claims that biology gives men all the advantages.