(Not Really) A Feminist
July 28, 2007 | Filed under Politics
Despite the fact that I have feminist leanings in most aspects of life, love, and work, I have to admit that sometimes I think there would be nothing more desirable than to be a chick in a bikini shaking my thang in a gangsta video.
I’d like to try my hand being a burlesque dancer, a Pussycat Doll, or a lapdancer. I think I’d make an excellent mistress of a wealthy man. Given the opportunity and chance, I could probably be more uselessly decorative than Paris Hilton. Sometimes I fantasise about being a hooker. I like sex anyway, so why not be paid for it?
I don’t morally object to selling one’s body, so realistically, there’s nothing stopping me from doing any of the above. I’d probably even find it empowering and get a rush out of it.
Does it make me any less of a feminist? No.
In my eyes, feminism isn’t just about trying to prove one’s capabilities by fruitlessly showing off all the reasons why you don’t need a man in your life, and why girl power is the be all and end all. Feminism is about having the choice to do what you want. And occasionally, I want nothing more than to walk around half-naked.
9 Responses to (Not Really) A Feminist
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I agree completely. I’m a strong feminist, but I think people are a bit confused about what it means to be one — feminist doesn’t mean you behave or dress a certain way. It means you support equality of the sexes and believe that there is no greater empowerment than being able to make your own choices. It’s that simple.
Really, anyone who doesn’t think women should be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen is a feminist, whether or not they recognise it.
Jordie on July 28, 2007 #
Feminism isn’t about making all women asexual persons working in high administration places. It’s about choice. (There’s a Family Guy episode where Lois makes a similar remark. It’s great.)
If you want to spend your life as a stay-at-home wife, go ahead and do so. If you want to dance in a gangsta rap video, go ahead and do so. People must let you do what you choose to.
The above are possible choices, just like it is a choice to work. My mother, for example, wanted to work. She was a teacher up until last year and now she is a school principal. I fully respect her choice and I feel insulted when I think of my grandfather disliking the idea of his daughters working.
So, in brief, feminism is a question of allowing women to choose what they want to do with their lives. They should be allowed to choose to get an education, a job, be allowed to vote, etc., but always given the choice of whether or not they wish to do either one of the possible actions.
So in brief: choice, choice, choose, chosen.
Julie on July 28, 2007 #
I don’t need to describe my point of view with feminism, you’ve hit it right on the spot there.
There might be general negative pubic perceptions about what you would want to do but if you want to do it though, why not? So are you going to do something similar?
Reply: I already walk around half-naked normally. :P Plus, I’m always on the lookout for a millionaire. :D
Rilla on July 28, 2007 #
Totally agreeable. Although, when will we be able to really walk half-naked? Gahh.
Juice on July 29, 2007 #
Like everyone above, I totally agree. Feminism should be about choice. If you want to be a hooker, or mistress or whatever, then kudos to you! Feminism is no longer about being the opposite of what is traditionally “feminine”, it’s not about being forced into another narrow mindset of having to be a corporate-ladder climbing, power woman if you don’t want to.
Belinda on July 29, 2007 #
My dad: I thought you were a feminist! If men have to go off to war, women should have to as well. According to feminism, you want equality.
Me: Women shouldn’t be forced to go over there.
My dad: That’s not equality.
Me: Men shouldn’t be forced to either.
There are always those assholes who want to proove you wrong.
Another quote:
My dad: Feminism messed up our kids today. Before feminism, women were at home, took care of the kids, and kept the family and home together.
Me: Yes, but shouldn’t men have a roll in it too? Can’t both work and they share? Shouldn’t they have that CHOICE?
Me, I’m feminist and I want to be a stay-at-home mom (while websiting and drawing and writing while the kids are at school and napping).
@Jordie: What if this hypothetical feminist wanted to be barefoot and pregnant? I’d say “anyone who doesn’t think women should have no choice in their lives…” :)
Skye on July 29, 2007 #
Umm. Walking around half-naked as in… Out on the streets?
Rilla on July 29, 2007 #
“What if this hypothetical feminist wanted to be barefoot and pregnant?”
Yeahhh, there’s always one. Read my comment again; I said anyone who doesn’t think that women SHOULD be barefoot and pregnant is a feminist. It’s no skin off my nose if that’s what she (or he, you know, there are more of these “stay-at-home-dads” now) wants.
Jordie on July 29, 2007 #
Hm, you may have a choice to do all these things but a lot of those women (hookers, women in music videos) don’t. They have to make a living out of being a woman whether they like it or not.
Kat on July 29, 2007 #