Feminism has to Focus (Washington Post)

[lizerdbits]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/06/AR2008060603494.html

The article discusses the Clinton campaign and the impact of gender vs. race in the primary voting. They also mention non whites forming their own separate feminist groups. I have read that this was more common in the 60's feminist movement primarily due to the reproductive rights aspect of the movement. Due to the involuntary sterilization of many black women they felt alienated from most of the movement, and at that time maybe racial inequality was a priority in terms of social action. (Any good book recommendations on that subject would be appreciated since I've only encountered it briefly in a feminist book or two. :) )

I was going to comment further but it looks like I'll have to get back to it since I'm probably going to have to go into work. (I don't want to be in the middle of something and then have to leave.)

[lizerdbits]

1. So here's what I was thinking about earlier

Do I not see a fracture in feminist groups because I'm white? By that I mean I don't find something lacking in groups like NOW/FMF. How many of you feel that feminism is fractured? If you have been involved in feminism for several decades do you feel that this was an issue in the past and has improved/not improved? If you are not white do you feel groups like NOW/FMF don't address issues that are important to you? What are those issues?

I certainly feel that many women my age aren't that interested in feminism (I'm almost 34). I haven't met many women who don't support major feminist ideals like pay equality, fighting workplace discrimination, reproductive freedom yet they refuse to call themselves feminists. I think this is mostly due to the success of the portrayal of a feminist as being a man hating lesbian in the media. I hope younger women will keep getting involved.

I think I had other thoughts earlier but it's late. :)