[..YouTube..] I’m not a feminist , b/c I don’t know…im just not.. lol

[..YouTube..] The problem w this video & this period in time is that the definition of feminist isn’t clear. Its been softened to mean you like other females, they have the right to chose, work and vote. So what. And bc of my age & experience, I’m not impressed with a 20 something feminist. Its the ones who have lived long enough to endure the true consequences of the true ideologies that I believe are real. If you’re 40 something and still yelling the praises of feminism..uhm..Wow!

[..YouTube..] I’m not a feminist because I feel that gender/sex is just another way to separate the human race. I like to define myself as a human above all… I try to let my ideologies define me and not the things I was born with that I had no control over.

[..YouTube..] I consider myself a feminist, for sure. My parents’ double-standards between me and my younger brother have shown me the importance of equality.

[..YouTube..] for the record, a man can be a feminist or pro-feminism. its not exclusively something that a woman only can identify as. you can still serve ur husband dinner or even be prostitute and STILL be a femininst, believe it or not. what one “thinks” a feminist is and what a feminist actually is differs and can cause confustion… anywho… i’m done lol.

[..YouTube..] I’m not a feminist but I do have feminist tendencies I suppose. I do believe that some of what we as women have to deal with today is a result of the “movement” however its not all bad. I’m for things like pro choice but on the other hand I feel like we can’t get mad if a man hoots n hollers at you b/c a clothing choice. Disrespectful yes, but expected. I’m old fashion with a modern twist I feel I’m in the gray area too.

I don’t consider myself a feminist at all….I may have feminist tendencies sometimes…but I believe that men and women have their place. Why not let a man be a man and let a woman be a woman? I’m all for women being lawyers and having CEO roles etc, but when it starts to get to the “don’t open the door I can do it myself, let’s let women play in the NFL” I’m like nooooo thanks. lol

[..YouTube..] i agree with ur first sentence, today the definitiion isnt clear, and i also feel that once youve fall under that category our very patriarchal society kind of labels you as a “man hater.” But i dont agree on your argument that one can only proclaim to be a feminist and be respected as a feminist only 40yrs into her life, in other words through her experience. Experienece doesnt have a time limit, therefore being a woman in the 1970’s is very different from being a woman in 2009!

[..YouTube..] cont..I might not have burnd my bras, or protest during the womens suffrage, but i do commit time and energy in educating young females about the misconceptions of a woman in the media and also doing sister-sister circles talking about the hardships of being a female in the new millenium.

[..YouTube..] cont #3… You might not have appreciated the work of some young female feminist, but the truth is if you guys*ahemm* women kicked down the door back then, i guess today slowly but surely were breaking through wondows to shine light on other important issues such as “female sexualization” which was a non-existent issue in the 1960’s

[..YouTube..] cont. #4so to answer the question of being a feminist or not. I am. 20 years of experience as a female might not be much but it is enough for me to stand up for myself and any other mysoginistic male (or female) or anyone who feels that my life is scripted and i should play my specific role as a woman.

idk if i am. im just a supporter of equal rights in general whether its based on sex, race, sexual orientation or whatever. I dont automatically take a woman’s side in a debate, i take whoever’s side i think is right. i look at people as PEOPLE before i look at people as women or men…but at the same time i do support womens rights but i dont really stress activism nd protesting and all that jazz. Its not something im passionate about but i’m down for the cause any day if something evokes an emotion or a response out of me….soooo i guess im NOT since i have no strong passion 4 it per se(is that a legit word? per se?)…but i am a supporter of feminism…just not a feminist.

but…If i see a woman bein treated unfairly/or being abused i do have a soft spot for that and i would prob say/do something about it…just as i would if a gay person or even a man was being treated unfairly….

all ah we is one famalaaaaaaaaay!

[..YouTube..] I don’t believe I am a feminist but being a woman does not makes my needs or wants second to that of a man. I believe woman or man should be independent and not dependent on another human being for survival. In a relationship or life, man and woman are equal but that equality does not mean 50/50 it means sometimes we each bring our strenghts and weaknesses in a relationship. I don’t plan on staying home when married b/c I prefer working and some stay home b/c they prefer housewife duties.

I love this!!!

To me being feminist doesn’t mean being anti-men. It means being pro-women and the two have very different meanings. Given that description, I definitely think that I’m a feminist. Because of the struggles that women have, I believe its important for us to kind take our own needs into account in a feminist way.

[..YouTube..] I didn’t say “one can only proclaim to be a feminist and be respected as a feminist only 40yrs into her life”.I stated what I’ve learned through my experience. Also, movements have a time and place in which they are most effective. Once that time has passed & sicnificant strides have been made, it is time to regroup, define,organize and set new goals based on the issues you gen is facing. So once again, feminism must be defined for today’s concerns.You’re passionate, that’s always a good thing!

[..YouTube..] nive vid subscribe plz

I have got a LOT to say on this topic, so I’ll apologize right now for the length of this comment.

Either the word “feminist” is evolving into something much more narrow and radical, or most people just don’t know what the word actually means. If you look up “feminism” in a dictionary, the definition is “the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.” I don’t think it has anything to do with biases at all; it’s about equality. Whether or not people choose to apply that definition to themselves, I would not associate with ANYONE, male or female, who wasn’t a feminist by THAT definition.

I think most people confuse the term “feminist” with “radical feminist,” which is a sect of feminism. Radical feminists tend to be the more extreme feminists — including (but not limited to) the bra burners, the man-haters, etc. My husband is a big-time feminist (by that I mean he deep-down believes that we are equal people and he 100% respects the bodies and identities of women), but he too shies away from calling himself that because of the associated connotations. Radical feminists tend to get the media play, so we’ve started thinking that radical feminists are the only kind of feminists there are, but that’s not true at all.

For me, feminism is about choice, not about giving up your feminine qualities or trying to be more like a man. On the contrary, for me feminism is about celebrating being female and not feeling like I have to sacrifice my identity as a woman to make it in a corporate world or fit into society. You can be an “emotional girly-girl” and still be a feminist. You can be a 1950s-ish housewife, barefoot and pregnant (which I intend to be myself, at some point in my life) and still be a feminist. You can have your own opinion about issues like abortion and still be a feminist.

Another part of the problem might be that people think feminism isn’t an issue now, since women can vote and get equal pay for equal work and are protected under sexual harassment laws, etc. It really saddens me, because I read the news and I still see so much work to be done: the terrible mistreatment of women in some other countries, the portrayal and objectification of women in the media, the prevalance of rape and domestic abuse, and even the fact that there has never been a female President (or Canadian Prime Minister who was legitimately voted in). We still are not equal yet, and it’s wrong to ignore that.

Finally, I think saying that feminism is an issue that concerns women more than men is like saying racism is an issue that concerns some races more than others. We’re all part of the problem and part of the solution in different ways, and we need to work together to make both problems go away.

Okay, so I had to jump into the fray here because my lovely wife Shayla said that I shy away from calling myself a feminist because I don’t want people to think I’m with those crazy man-hating bitches.

I totally agree with Shayla about the negative connotations of the word, and I have no issue at all with saying I’m a feminist. See? I just said it. Yes, we’ve made strides towards equality, and things are better now than they were 50 years ago, but I think the biggest issue with feminism in the media today is getting away from that negative meaning of the word.

You know who else is a big feminist? My hero (who I would totally fuck if I was a woman), Joss Whedon. Shayla will be rolling her eyes right now when she reads this, but it’s true. His female characters are consistently strong, not because they’re big and tough like the guys (thought they certainly are), but because they’re big and tough without sacrificing the qualities that make them feminine. Zoe Washburne (Wikipedia it) is one of the best female characters I’ve ever seen.

The point I’m trying laboriously to get to is that you don’t have to hate men to be a strong woman, and it still seems like a lot of people forget this, even these days. In my view, the man-haters are just as weak as the women they try so hard to be the opposite of, because they still define themselves by the men that surround them.

[..YouTube..] i really don’t have much to say but i feel like i’ more for what shanae and andrea are saying

I agree with JeansTake. I define myself as a human first. I’m for the rights of everyone. Everyone should be treated fairly and with respect.

The problem with feminism is that a wonderful woman as Andrea can’t identify with the term. She is a motivated, successful, hard working lady driving her own destiny. She has choices and is not bound by thinking “I can’t because I’m a woman.” What is more feminist than that? Freedom and choice.

Having said all that, I’m still somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to the roles of men and women. I believe in busting my butt so my wife/lady can have the choice of working or not. She can have the freedom to choose to have a career or stay home. I open doors, send flowers, give compliments, etc. I respect women’s opinions, knowledge and skills. I also believe the man should be the leader of the family. Not the boss, the leader. When done correctly, both parties are happy.

[..YouTube..] I used to be a feminist until the first time my boyfriend grabbed me by the hair,threw me against the wall and fucked me in the ass.Since then I don’t seem to have a need for feminism.

Shayla pretty much shares my sentiment. I think the word feminism holds a negative connotation only because people don’t really know the true meaning of the word, and what it represents. Yes, I would say I am a feminist because I believe in equality on all levels and every spectrum.

I’m not a feminist. idk maybe because i’m only 18. btw i love the blog & Melanie <3 Fiona song in the video "Ayo". Everyone should have her album if you dont already great music

Wow!! I’ve never even thought twice about being a males equal… I have never been disrespected because I’m a woman and any and everyone I’ve ever involved myself with closely (especially men) have always treated me as such…. soo I’ve never had to defend my femininity… Not once…. EVER!

Nor have I witnessed another women being discriminated against because of their femininity. This whole thing about being a girly girl… can I just ask (politely) WTH does that mean??? seriously… a feminist (even though I had to ask what that was too) isn’t supposed to be butch is she??

My personal stand is that I don’t see the need to be fighting for woman’s rites simply because I’ve always been treated equally in that respect. I do not do all the cooking or cleaning either… I got a man who does all that I do my fare share he does his. We may not run this town but we sure as hell gotta run this house and fighting a bickering over house chores will only make things worse. I only mention cooking and cleaning cause of Nae nae’s comment I certainly hope… actually I KNOW that cooking and cleaning and working should no longer be a marital issue.

I think I’m going to have to do some positive research on the topic I also watched your Jessica Valenti friendship application video and it kinda sort a puts the topic into perspective… I cannot advocate what I do not know but I will say this: Many women become objects because they choose to objectify themselves all the “eye candy” models make it hard for a woman to put on a top with some cleavage and maintain their power and that’s bullshit.

If you ask me women rule the world…. We hold 90% of the power it’s just the ones who willingly put it in the hands of a dude (by being objectified) who make the vagina power slip (only cause most men are so driven by sex). SMH. If only they knew.

P.S. Maybe deep down inside I am one.. I typically avoid men at all costs… I only join gyms that have women only workout area’s and things of that sort cause I don’t want to be around men (who I seriously STRONGLY believe only think with sexual organs)… Naaa THAT isn’t feminism (is it??) I’m just a man hater… LOL!!

No I don’t consider myself a feminist. Why, because I don’t identify with labels. The term feminist to me has a negative connotation and i’m guessing that’s because labels can be alienating. I personally am for the rights of all living things, humans, animals, plants, lands, oceans, air, planet earth, you get the picture.
I LOVE LIFE!

I had to think long and hard about what I wanted to say here. So many of you had so many great points and things that I spent hours thinking about.

Feminism is the fight for equality, the fight to not to be hated on, underappreciated or sold short. It surprises me to hear Alyssa say she’s never felt as though their sex has been a factor but it’s also comforting.

I agree with everything Shayla said. I also agree with Maya as well.

I’m a feminist b/c ppl know better than to say anything remotely sexist or degrading towards women when they’re around me.

I have ZERO tolerance for anybody who tries to put down another woman, I think that’s why I’m a feminist. I tend to take that stuff very personal.

I think we’re all meta cognitive towards different things. Queer people might be very sensitive towards homophobia in any capacity.

This is just an area that I personally feel very passionate about. For a long time I felt as though I didn’t qualify for the term “feminist” because I am not involved in politics and I do not do enough towards creating awareness about the plight of women in countries that truly need a feminist.

But I’ve gotten over that. Whether you are out to change the constraints of women in your circle or across the globe: you’re working towards a common goal and you are a feminist.

[..YouTube..] Well I support the feminist thought, I believe myself to be more concerned and organized when it comes to myself and my female friends and family members as a female in this society but I am definitely not a feminist. I am not out there fighting actively to serve a purpose, I am not out there dedicating my life to the safety and concern of women, I am not out there dedicating 20 hours of my life trying to get an issue pressed. I would feel bad claiming to be a Feminist if i did none of these.

[..YouTube..] Being a feminist isn’t only about fighting. Its about how you live your every day life and the type of mentality you have. However, I feel that the only people who deserve to claim the word “Feminist” are those who are actively dedicating their time for such a cause whether it be protesting at the white house, organizing women oriented gatherings, blogging, ensuring safe and fair working conditions at the workplace, ect. and whatever it may be.

Wow, a lot of conscious and forward thoughts and I dig that.

I think the word has a certainty stigma attached, it needs to leave
behind the taste of freedom & equality.

I do not consideder myself a feminist not because I am a male,
but because I have always felt the people as a whole should be free to
be equal and to have free will. That said I understand the need for passionate women to set the examples so very much in need for the kids on the come up to aspire to.

I’m not anactivist but when I believe an I justice needs to be
challenged or someone is being disrespected, I will try to step in and
do my part.

Like the good Dr. Cornel West said,
“What we need now more than anything these days is COURAGE.”

[..YouTube..] i think in countries that are “free” (ex..america, europe, etc..) women have everything that they need and want but in thirld world countries or very “strict” countries (ex…some middle east, africa..etc) woment still might need more feministsFIGHT DA POWA!!!

[..YouTube..] Girl in purple is total sexist. MEN, all 3 r nice looking women but WE all know what a disaster purple would be to marry. U ALL know it. “Empathize with women”, even though men r LEGALLY discriminated against, what a brainwashed fo. Wasn’t 1 in purple talking about 16 yr boys being “fine”in vid she took down. lol what a surprise a feminist thinks thats normal. Lets 40yrs of indoctrination supersede millions of yrs of biology; her type will be laughed at in 100yrs. Search:Warren Farrel.

[...] Topic of the Week: Are you a feminist? EFC100t: Girl in purple is total sexist. MEN, all 3 r nice looking women but WE all know what a disaster purple would be to marry. U ALL know it. “Empathize with women”, even though men r LEGALLY discriminated against, what a brainwashed fo. [...]