Let’s decide that, under the patriarchy, we all, especially
those of us who identify with feminism, have better things
to do than take cheap shots at other women. That’s not
to say we can’t have discussions about the real reasons
women have for rejecting feminism, but a parody tumblr
comparing women to stupid, self-centered cats ain’t it.
And a man who likes to identify with feminism should
probably spend less time creating tumblrs that mock
women and more time reflecting as to why so many of these
women would have a problem with a movement he’s involved
in. (In general, men in feminism would do well to spend
less time ridiculing women and more time listening to
them.)
To the women who don’t identify with feminism, I say,
“Great! I can’t even remotely begin to understand the
various interactions you’ve had with feminism.” For many
women, “feminism” is a racist, homophobic, white-centric,
colonialist, imperialist force. Who am I to patronizingly
explain to those women that they just don’t get it? That
they misunderstood us all along? Their critiques are
valid and usually point to real problems in feminism, as
any social movement/ideology might have, especially as
it struggles to prove itself relevant. But feminism isn’t
only for feminist women—it’s for all women. It is only
by really hearing women, feminists and non-feminists
alike, and including their perspectives in feminist
discussion, that “feminism” can in fact be a real movement
for liberation.
by s. bercot