Hardcore Feminism

Valenti's criticism of the stereotypes of feminisms was absolutely great. She managed to talk about feminism without it being the elephant in the room. She didn't tiptoe around the point. She confronted the issue from the very beginning with her question "What's the worst thing you can call a woman?" Then responded with some words most of us would never dare say in front of our parents, let alone our friends. This approach continues through out the entire chapter, bold and in your face language. But at the same time she confronts the issues surrounding feminism while also clearing up what feminism actually means. I found it interesting that the definition she gives for feminism (from the dictionary) is: belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. This got me thinking, why is it called feminism? and why is it unacceptable for a guy to be one? Now I know that the term came about with the beginning of the women's rights movement and that essentially a feminism goes against male superiority, but nowadays why can't a man be a feminist, or better yet a maleist? The term feminism does not specify male or female in the definition. So why isn't there a male equivalent? Why aren't there any maleist's out there fighting for men to be seen as something more than just dumb jocks who think with their libido or geeky nerds who only play with computers?

I also found that this article went well with our discussion in class on Thursday. We asked why are girls seen as perfect and beautiful in the media and why anyone who doesn't fit that bill is seen as ugly or a dyke. Valenti addresses this issue as well, in wondering why do we have these stereotypes and why women have to fit into one category or the other. She says all women should think of themselves as beautiful and not ascribe to the categories of fat, ugly or beautiful. A woman should not accept one of these levels in life just because that is what society has ascribed for you. She emphasizes the fact that no woman should be threatened by the "ugly stick". Just because someone says your ugly doesn't make it so.