One size does not fit all
Posted
October 11, 2006 at
12:49 pm by
Julie
Recently on my personal site, I’ve been embroiled in a discussion of feminism - specifically, why I choose not to “self-identify” as a feminist.?‚? In the ensuing discussion, others have suggested that perhaps the term “feminist” is too limiting - that perhaps “humanist” would be more accurate and complete.
While I agree that humanist is a more accurate and complete description, I recently read an essay by Michael Shermer in his book “Science Friction” about a similar struggle for an acceptable label among humanists and their ilk.?‚? Yes, ironically enough, although many are starting to adopt the label “humanist”, others are already seeking to shed it.
The essay presented an overview of the discussion of existing descriptors, such as “skeptics, nonbelievers, nontheists, atheists, agnostics, infides, heretics, free thinkers, humanists, secular humanists, and the like,” as well as a proposed new, all-encompassing descriptor - “brights” (used as a noun, not an adjective).
As with the term “feminist”, I take issue with applying a one-size-fits-all label.?‚? A humanist is not necessarily atheist, agnostic, or a skeptic.?‚? If the classical definition of feminism is extended, then humanism would be defined as political, economic, and social equality of all people, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation.
I also find the term “bright” to be fairly ridiculous and potentially - and unnecessarily - offensive.?‚? And as much as I was wryly amused by the brouhaha among fellow mommybloggers regarding feminism, I have to admit that I’m more disappointed than amused that such great minds as Shermer, James Randi, and Richard Dawkins would spend time on such minutiae.
So along with not?‚? being a feminist, I’m also not a bright.?‚? I may embody much of what these descriptors are intended to encompass, but I’m too engaged in?‚? learning and discussing ideas to worry about what I ought to call myself.
Tags: Religion |
2 Responses to “One size does not fit all”
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1. Jessica Carlson said:
October 12, 2006 @ 6:36 am
I couldn’t agree more. Although I don’t seek to bend the definition of feminism, because it’s meaning is so well entrenched into it’s own stereotype, I do have a personal ideal of what I would like it be. I’d like it to extend to worldwide causes like the suppression of women in the middle east or the horrible violence against women in Darfur and the Congo.
In America, I feel feminism has been reduced to upper-middle class brats who are so self-absorbed and spoiled in their own little worlds that they’d rather waste precious resources thinking about trivial crap like how having separate male/female bathrooms makes them less of a person, rather than focusing on real crimes against women (or humanity) which goes on every single day.
At one time, radical feminism was needed, but I think that horse-race has been won for the most part. Not to say that certain cases might not be worthy of pursuit, but it’s hard for me to get behind something I can’t see, experience or empathize with. For example, I’ve always been paid equal (if not more) than my male counterparts. I’ve always had female bosses and I don’t have issues with men in general. Most of the men in my life have been a positive influence.
Just my opinion…
2. Cristina said:
October 13, 2006 @ 12:52 am
I’ve been meaning to read your and HBM’s posts on feminism for a while now. Still on my “to-read” list. Anyway, I’ve always felt that the term “feminism” had some bad conotations that it probably didn’t deserve. However, I suspect the label can mean different things to different people. And in that sense I agree with you that taking on a label can be a little sticky in that someone may perceive your values or ideas as different than they are if the label is viewed differently by different people.