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In the essay Feminism: A Movement to End Sexist Oppression Bell Hook establishes a crystal clear definition of what feminism is when he states that “Feminism as a movement to end sexist oppression directs our attention to systems of domination and the inter-relatedness of sex, race, and class oppression(p.75).” The quote not only sheds light on the meaning of the word but clarifies that feminism is not just ethnocentric because the main message is to end all type of oppression and not just the oppression against gender. In today’s era, there is no consensus on the precise definition of feminism and how to fight the oppression. However, Hook’s explanation unifies the definition of feminism by eliminating the stigma that feminism is merely for lesbians, male-haters, and angry women. …show more content…
In fact, he encourages every individual to join hands in fighting the sexist oppression, and these individuals can be anyone regardless of their age, sex or race.
He further elaborates that feminism is not just a battle for the right of women based on gender alone, but it is much more than that, i.e. it is fighting against oppression based on political, racial and socio-economic status. Currently, when there is no consensus on the definition of feminism, one needs to accept the broad-minded, clear definition of Hook to be able to advocate better feminism and bring justice to those oppressed based on gender, race, or socio-economic status. Adopting this definition will not only provide a clear, goal-oriented objective, but will encourage individuals against feminism to support to the movement since a successful movement needs a voice, a face, supporting group and call for action, and Bell Hook’s definition provides one simply
that.
“I have no idea what a feminist is although I have heard the term before,” said Stewart. I told her not to feel bad because I did not know the meaning of the term until I took the class and gave her bell hooks’ definition. Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. Although they do not have to be an activist, they should be pro-choice. “With that being said I don’t consider myself a feminist but I am pro-choice. I give advice and let others learn from experience. A person is going to do what they want so I don’t push my opinion off on others.” While others have a clue to what a feminist is but do not fully understand their purpose. “I think a feminist is someone who wants more equal rights for women but take it to the extreme,” said Nia. I explained to her that a feminist does not have to be an extreme activist. Her response was “I still don’t consider myself a feminist because I don’t really care about trying to make a change for women’s rights. I think it’s as good as it is going to get,” said
In her 2013 article featured on The Feminist Wire, “Dig Deeper: Beyond Lean In” bell hook describes “the feminist movement based on women gaining equal rights with men” (661). This essay is a response to Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In: What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?” which encourages women to aim for positions of leadership and power. Sandberg’s definition of a feminism is gender equality with an existing social system. Hook contrasts Sandberg’s definition of feminism and makes it her own “one that does not conjure up a battle between the sexes” (662). Since men and women are both greatly influenced by sexist social norms and ideals, it is important
In her novel called “Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center” one of the many areas bell hooks speaks of is the perpetual racial confinement of oppressed black women. The term double-bind comes to mind when she says “being oppressed means the absence of choices” (hooks 5). The double-bind is “circumstances in which choices are condensed to a few and every choice leads to segregation, fault or denial” Therefore, this essay will discuss how hooks’ definition of oppression demonstrates the double-bind in race relations, forcing the socially underprivileged minority to “never win,” and as a result allowing the privileged dominate “norm” to not experience perpetual segregation.
During the second week of class, we were instructed to read a reading written by Bell Hooks titled “Come closer to Feminism.” This reading is what I consider to be a very important addition to this unit. Unit one is all about Making waves, Confronting Oppression. According to Frye, it is a fundamental claim of feminism that women are oppressed (Frye, 1983). Before taking upon this reading, my understanding of the feminist movement was not nearly as clear as it is now. After reading this short handbook, I too agree that feminism is for everybody.
In the book Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center written by bell hooks, an African-American author, social activist and feminist first published in 1984 the author explains what she believes are the core principles of feminism. Throughout the book the author examines the early feminist theory and goes on to criticize it saying that it did not aim for a systematic change also that the movement has the potential to improve the lives of both men and women immensely. In the book the author investigates the performance of African-American women in the movement and what is needed to drive the movement towards ending oppression of all kinds.
Feminism is the movement for removing inequalities from society. Women imbued with a spirit of radicalism understand that a liberal feminist attitude, despite the seeming slowness of change that accompanies it, may transform a community more rapidly than a revolutionary approach that alienates those to be convinced and, thus, extinguishes the possibility of improvement. (Weaver 49) Feminists confront the problems of their society in hopes of altering society to be equal.
The Scarlet Letter can easily be seen as an early feminist piece of work. Nathaniel Hawthorne created a story that exemplifies Hester as a strong female character living with her choices, whether they were good or bad, and also as the protagonist. He also presents the daughter of Hester, Pearl, as an intelligent female, especially for her age. He goes on to prove man as imperfect through both the characters of Dimmesdale and of Chillingworth. With the situation that all the characters face, Hawthorne establishes the female as the triumphant one, accomplishing something that, during Nathaniel Hawthorne’s time, authors did not attempt.
Feminism is a perspective that views gender as one of the most important bases of the structure and organization of the social world. Feminists argue that in most known societies this structure has granted women lower status and value, more limited access to valuable resources, and less autonomy and opportunity to make choices over their lives than it has granted men. (Sapiro 441)
“Defining Patriarchy” by Bell Hooks is an article written to persuade the reader that patriarchy is “the single most life-threatening social disease” in American society. Hooks’ in depth understanding of the American experience and how patriarchy affects not just Hooks’ life but others around her sets her essay apart from others as Hooks effectively defines what patriarchy is, and how patriarchy should be changed. Hooks’ vivid, raw and unforgiving descriptions of her own experience with patriarchy exposes flaws in the world, and leaves the reader feeling stunned. Hooks uses diction, tone, and pathos in order to drive home the message that patriarchy is and has been part of society, and that patriarchy is a social construct that needs to be
“Emancipation of women had made them lose mystery” –Grace Kelly, this was a quote said from a woman’s mouth, this was not only Grace’s opinion but the percentage of women being against feminism is increasing. Stop Fem-Splaining: What ‘Women Against Feminism’ Gets Right is an article wrote by Cathy Young published on Www.time.com which is an website for the news and articles, the article was published on July 14,2014. The article is taking about the Women Against feminist meme that has been up in 2014 through social medias and TV shows, the issue had many perspectives from the different kind of sexes, some women believe in the equality between men and women, that
Feminism. The word itself implies discriminatory and unjust interpretations of ‘equality’. The definition of feminism has been modernised to such an extent that its original meaning is completely lost. In Britain 61% of the people who agreed with gender equality would not describe themselves as feminists. The profound ideology which characterizes women as the eternal victims and prey for the aggressive, violent and savage male species, illustrates the illusion of a never-ending engulfment of power which [modern] feminists
Feminism can simply be defined as a range of movements and ideologies in which share a common ground in terms of defining, establishing and achieving equal opportunities to that of males, in regards to economic, cultural and social rights. It is a critique of male supremacy with efforts in changing this to end the social oppression of women. (Hooks, 2000)
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author who has received numerous awards and distinctions. Her main argument is that everyone should be a feminist not because of our gender, but because it is what is right. Adichie has been featured in Beyonce’s song, “Flawless”, spreading awareness to the idea of feminism. “We Should All Be Feminists” is a book about her experiences in Nigeria, where men are more powerful than women. The intended audience of the passage is each and every person residing in heavily patriarchal societies. Hesr thesis is “we should all be feminists”.
Feminism is defined as the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. It began as an organized activity on behalf of women?s rights and interests. This concept was developed to help women earn a place in a predominantly male society. Unfortunately over the years, the intentions of feminism have become distorted, not only by anti-feminists, but also by the feminists themselves. The principle of equality for women and men has turned into a fight in which feminists wish to be better than men. Feminism has been twisted and misunderstood so much that it has become a harmful idea.
When I wrote my fist definition of feminism I was rather unsure of what the concept of feminism really was. This uncertainty is more obvious in what was not written in my definition than in what was. I wrote “ The belief that men and women should be given equal opportunity in society”. I managed to take up close to half a page writing this because of all the times I crossed out words and phrases. My uncertainty manifested itself in lines of crossed out text because I did not know what feminism meant. I did not know if my ideas were correct because I was not educated about feminism. Through novels and newspaper articles I now understand that feminism is the belief that men and women should be given equal opportunities in society.