Is Feminism Dead?
When I turned 50, I started thinking through every aspect of my life, reflecting on the past and planning for the future. In addition to assessing my health, eating, beauty routines, style, finances, relationships and so on, I also wanted to make sure that my voice was authentic and strong.
In my journey to discover who I really was — and who I wanted to be — after I turned 50, I reached out to many other women, to talk, to listen, to learn. Through one such new relationship, I met Marianne Schnall, founder and director of feminist.com. Talking with Marianne caused me to revisit my understanding of feminism, and to explore how (or if) it was still relevant in today’s complex world. After all, hadn’t women secured a better future as a result of feminism, and weren’t there far graver and urgent problems to focus on now?
At the launch party last year in honor of Marianne’s book, “Daring to Be Ourselves,” a compilation of the best quotes from some of the worlds most successful women, Eve Ensler described Marianne as a brave feminist: a woman who day in and day out walks the walk and talks the talk of feminism through her work, her writing, her roles as wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. In her early 40s, she is leading the way for the next generation of feminists, and is doing it with conviction, love, and compassion. Marianne is a brave feminist.
But, Marianne, and other committed men and women who are working daily to secure the fundamental rights of women and girls around the world, have their work cut out for them. Author Isabel Allende, one of the many accomplished women who are quoted in “Daring to Be Ourselves,” summed up the problem quite succinctly:
Today millions of young women who benefit from the struggles of their mothers and grandmothers and would not give up any of their rights don’t call themselves feminists because it’s not sexy. They believe feminism is dated. They have not looked around, they are not aware that today, in the 21st century, women still do two-thirds of the world labor and own less than one percent of the assets; girls are still sold into prostitution, premature marriage, and forced labor. In times of conflict, war, poverty, or religious fundamentalism, women and children are the first and most numerous victims. Women need all their courage today, as they needed it before.
Singer Annie Lennox, in an interview with Marianne, shared her views: “I get very frustrated when I hear women saying, “Oh, feminism is passé,” because feminism means empowerment. We need feminism. It’s not against men; it’s about the empowerment of all.”
In recent years, I found myself shying away from calling myself a feminist, because I, too –perhaps bowed by current social thinking — thought that feminism was old news, and that the movement was still run by those who might be out of touch with today’s realities.
But, I was wrong. Feminism started as a movement to change laws, and the perception of women as secondary to men. But, feminism has morphed into something much bigger and bolder, with an even greater potential to affect global change.
To embrace feminism is to embrace this fundamental truth: every human being has rights.
Feminism is more essential and relevant today than ever before. Just pick up any newspaper and see how the concepts of equality, tolerance and compassion, which are at the very core of feminism, are disintegrating around the world.
On some very profound levels, feminism has become my own personal moral compass. It guides my daily behavior toward everyone — regardless of gender, age, color, sexual orientation, creed or nationality, and I am raising my two daughters to be feminists as well. The moral code of feminism shapes my worldview, and my approach to life.
It isn’t always easy calling oneself a feminist, though, so consider yourself forewarned. People (men and women) will occasionally roll their eyes and make snarky remarks about your political orientation, whatever it is. But, to be a brave feminist, you must ignore the noise, speak up, use your voice and be true to your own convictions.
Eve Ensler offers this advice: “Give voice to what you know to be true, and do not be afraid of being disliked or exiled. I think that’s the hard work of standing up for what you see.”
Even if you would never have called yourself a feminist in the past, consider it part of your future. But don’t just be a feminist. Be a brave feminist.
Great thoughts. Totally agree.
Women still make less than men, and usually have to work harder to ‘prove’ themselves. Men still dismiss women. Men stand up for their rights and they’re macho, women do the same and they’re moody. My boss makes negative snap judgements about women, but will listen to a man and give him a fair chance – and doesn’t even realize/care. And that’s more common that not. Women are still the token member of the Board – if there even are any. The vast majority of executives are male. Most CEOs, Presidents and Chairmen are male. No, feminism is not dead or God help our daughters.
good article
Feminism is not dead, it is INGRAINED. It is like any moral application in society, at first it is an awakening, an angering, then a talk, then a walk… then it goes so deep, becomes so much apart of you, you begin to take it for granted. but it doesn’t take much to reignite the embers to spark, to flame.
As long as women still conceive and give birth to the future beings of this world, feminism will be alive and well. We started the species here and will be standing when and if it ever evaporates. Guys, you need to step up to the plate and give us the awe, love, gratitude and r-e-s-p-e-c-t that we deserve. Where would you be without us? Test tube babies aside, you would be nowhere and we would be nowhere without you. Let’s try for equal rights, equal pay, equal respect, equal justice and love for one another!
searchingsenior is a great dating place for us over 50 to find love, romance and friendship.
My ONLY answer to the question, “Is Feminism stil relevant?” is ….IS BREATHING? As a woman that joined the Feminist movement at age 13 (I was born one!), I will believe in feminism and be a feminist even as they carve it into my headstone. I went back to college to take a few courses and the teacher (who was probably about my age) asked the class who in the rom was a feminist, I was the only one to hold up my hand. He asked the rest of the class why they did not consider themselves feminists. They blathered some lame valley girl form of disinterest and the teacher asked me my thoughts. He then said, “I want you to speak to the class about what it was like BEFORE woman’s rights went into effect.” I looked around at their cell phones, pricey handbags which I was sure had credit cards in their names and proceeded to ask them questions, then telling my story of being a single mother and not being allowed to rent an apt. or have a bank acct., etc and having to lie, saying my “husband was in Navy and at sea”and when he didn’t “come home” I said he left me for someone he met, of having male friends pose and lie and forge for me and my son. I sent on to tell ALL the rest of rights I wasn’t allowed as a woman, no home or car sole ownership and the rest. When I was done I said, “Tonite when you get in YOUR car in YOUR name and go into YOUR apt. or use YOUR bank or credit card say THANK YOU to ALL the women that worked to get them your jobs, pay and the rest you now enjoy and promise to teach your daughters that they can do or be ANYTHING they choose no matter what it may be “. The teacher asked again, “Now, who of you in this room is a feminist” The whole class raised their hands, and he said, Now that you understand, pass it on. Alot of the girls and BOYS in the class asked to talk with me more after and thanked me for educating them about PEOPLE’S rights and equality. They had NO idea there would be NO woman doctors, CEOs, business owners, etc. and some of their own mothers would have not been able to support them or own the home they lived in without a man. For THAT reason, I will ALWAYS be a Feminist and will always be educating. I was lucky. I had a father who always told me, Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do or be anything you want and don’t ever let anyone stop you because THEY think you can’t.
Thank you for this wonderful and thoughtful comment, Cher.
All best,
Barbara
Thank you, Barbara. It is inspiring and help me to state again my disposition.