What Is Third Wave Feminism?

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I am a feminist. I knew this before Beyoncé infamously defined the “F” word on the VMA stage in 2014. I knew this before a major party nominated a female to be their candidate for President of the United States despite criticisms. I certainly knew this before Brock Turner sexually assaulted a woman behind a dumpster and only received six months, but was released in three months due to his “good behavior” (privilege). Judith Lorber speaks on forms of all this in her book Gender Inequality as she examines the now thirteen types of feminism. Before I started reading the book I classified myself as a radical feminist. I quickly became aware of my connection to third wave feminism through women’s direct engagement of with feminism, women’s rise …show more content…

Minutes after her performance, celebrities started declaring themselves as feminist and what it meant. Beyoncé doing this led the conversation to a social movement that needed to occur. This leads girls of all ages to get involved in the discussion that is happening over women’s rights as a whole. Women of all ages listen to Beyoncé and for this she reaches an audience that most do not. Third -wave feminism focuses on reaching all groups of people that may other-wise be culturally divided. Lorber (2012: 305) says, “It emerged (third-wave feminism) in the 1990’s and it built on multiracial/multiethnic feminism, standpoint feminism, and postmodern feminism.” Beyoncé being a women of color she reaches a community that is otherwise ostracized for not only their sex, but also because of their color. Third -wave feminism focuses on these women. Lorber (2012:306) states, “…African American third-wave feminist want to be like them—strong, active, political, and confrontational.” After reading this section I knew that third-wave feminism was something that I was a part of because it teaches anyone to be resilient not just

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