This is a friendly reminder from your neighborhood feminist:

[WindRavenX]

I'm a feminist. Quite a "strong" feminist too.

I think I should earn the same amount of money as one of the guys does for the same job.
I'd really like to have reproductive freedom over my body, I really think that's swell.
And you know what? I don't hate guys! Really! I love 'em. I have a kick ass feminist boyfriend.
I don't burn my bras, either. I like dressing up and wearing makeup and flirting too. Heck, I even shave my legs and armpits too!

But I'm still a feminist.
A radical feminist too.
But I'm quite tired of having "feminist" being a dirty word.

SAY IT LOUD AND SAY IT PROUD DU FEMINIST WOMEN AND MEN

:yourock:

[EFerrari]

1. When I read this post, my mind played

"Spiderman, Spiderman
Does whatever a spider can.
Spins a web, any size
Catches thieves just like flies."

Lol!

Hey, sistuh. I've been a radical feminist since God was a boy because the alternatives just aren't that appealing.

:yourock:

[Redstone]

2. And I like you, too. Does that count for something?

Redstone

[WindRavenX]

3. You get a special hug

:hug:

Because, you sir, rock.

[Redstone]

23. Thankee, m'dear. You're one of my favorites, and a "you rock" from you

makes my evening that much the better.

Redstone

[EFerrari]

5. Redstone, aren't you great.

:)

[Redstone]

24. It's good for me to hear that from you. It is.

Redstone

[EFerrari]

58. Be well, Sir.

:hug:

[LeftyMom]

Hey guess what!

Me too (well except that I hate makeup, but that's just a matter of personal preference.)

[WindRavenX]

6. I normally do, too

(and so does my boyfriend-- he likes me non-painted up)

But sometimes it's FUN to get all dressed up! :)

[LeftyMom]

14. I love getting dressed up

I just refuse to wear make-up. I don't even own any. :shrug:

More time and cash to waste on hair stuff and sexy underwear, I guess. :D

[fleabert]

4. I am one too!

I AM A FEMINIST!

humanist too!

[Zomby Woof]

7. You have NOTHING to answer for!

Other than your lousy choice in baseball teams. :evilgrin:

:loveya: anyway! Without judgment or conditions!

[Liberalynn]

10. I Am a FEMINIST

too! "With equality and justice for all!" American Lawmakers all we are asking you to do is live up to your pledge. Vote equal pay for equal work.

Oh yeah and I'm a LIBERAL too and damn straight I am proud to be one!

[omega minimo]

15. Em- not asking for a man's permission or approval is kinda the point

:bounce: :bounce:

[Liberalynn]

20. I

meant in terms of the laws that are enacted. Lawmakers be they male or female need to keep eqaulity in mind. I don't need permission to be equal, I already think of myself that way. I just want our society to catch up in it's laws that's all.

Hope that makes sense. I'm not expressing myself too clearly at the moment I guess.

P.S. And I need to follow the little connecting lines better too. I meant my first reply in response to the orignal post, and then I got confused and responded to something that wasn't addressed to me the second time. My apologies. I need a nap. :grouphug: :pals:

[Zomby Woof]

30. WindRavenX is one of my oldest friends on DU

For 4 years going, and she knows I was offering my humorous brand of reply...

So Em - your reply to me is missing the point, and really, I am not concerned with anyone's opinion on this subject but hers.

[omega minimo]

38. That's fantastic. Bristles DOWN Woof!

Is sumthin in the WATER? :rofl: JFC everybuddy wants to fight. :hug:

Simply pointed out the "you have NOTHING to answer for" missed the point of feminism.

oh nevermind.

[Kurovski]

63. WindRavenX: "But I'm quite tired of having "feminist" being a dirty word."

ZombyWoof: (giving support to that statement)"You have NOTHING to answer for!"

And here is where I get all instructive and "helpful" for your benefit and "simply" point out that you've missed the point of basic human communication.

ZombyWoof knows full well the point of feminism, yet you patronize him as if he were a freeptard who strolled in with six-pack-breath and bruises on his hands from smackin' the wife around. And then you feign surprise that anyone would misconstrue your communique? :rofl:

What's in the water? Lots of bullshit, that's what. :rofl:

"Oh, never mind", my gay ass. In six years on DU I've never seen anyone on these boards who likes a fight better than you. That's not a bad thing, but pretending you're not stirring the pot and then patronizing folks for responding appropriately to being *patronized really is not so good for getting the point across. Unless of course that IS the point.

If I didn't know any better, I'd swear some of the retro-attitude out of the 60's that barely notices the reality of feminism in America today was a plan by Rimjob at FR to disrupt the board and scare off the Republicans--who are leaving the party in droves--from considering the Democratic Party. So hollowly cliched, so psychologically self-serving, and pointlessly overbearing have been some of the attitudes.


*Perhaps I should use "matronized" lest any of the keepers of the flame around here want to advance the cause by squabbling endlessly about language being sexist. But I really wouldn't give a shit about it these days, as you may well know.

[omega minimo]

67. It was simple point. Maybe 2 subtle. But how you get from there to:

"ZombyWoof knows full well the point of feminism, yet you patronize him as if he were a freeptard who strolled in with six-pack-breath and bruises on his hands from smackin' the wife around....."

is really in your mind.



Sorry.

[Kurovski]

72. It's hyperbole to make a point: ZW didn't deserve to be patronized.

Too many DUers of late have been patronized and unreasonably attacked for not following a strict set of guidelines that would be impossible to keep track of.

One of the glories of WindRavenX' OP is that she won't follow a strict definition set out by the Right-Wing, and sets out to shatter that image. The same will also follow for unyielding tenets enforced by some in the movement itself.

I've seen the occasional thread wherein it is bemoaned that DU is not the liberal force it imagines itself to be regarding womens' rights. But when it is about decrying the lack of control they have over others use of the English language down to the letter "r", I can't see that it will garner widespread support.

When a thread on rape is turned into a flog-fest because it was initiated by a man, and he's patronized, attacked and questioned on his sensitivity, I who have recovered from the trauma of rape have to wonder "what will be enough"? A public forum can't serve the emotional needs of every single participant. There is of course basic decency that we have every right to expect, but at some point we are all responsible for tending to our own emotional needs and protection.

I've already taken enough away from this wonderfully positive, affirming thread. you have the last word, I'm done.

[omega minimo]

74. That's fine, Kurovsik but that's not what I said

Perhaps I needed a ;)

Wasn't patronizing.

"Too many DUers of late have been patronized and unreasonably attacked..."

"I've seen the occasional thread wherein it is bemoaned that..."

"When a thread on rape is turned into a flog-fest because..."

These are all general statements about OTHER threads and comments. Mine stands on it's own and was a bit of tongue in cheek, which can't withstand these bitter assumptions and kneejerk reactions. Really needed that ;) and I apologize.

These sorts of "broadbrush" :evilgrin: attitudes are one of the biggest challenges on DU.

I get what you're saying. Thank you.

[Marie26]

8. I'm a feminist

It's really weird. You won't see many women under 30 describe themselves as feminists, even though mostly all believe in equal rights. The conservatives have truly managed to make it a dirty word, like it's something to be ashamed of. We all need to take the word back to it's true meaning.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

33. They've branded the word "feminist"

the same way they've branded the word "liberal" as something evil or bad. It's probably impossible, at least this generation, to take the word back to it's true meaning, because of the stigma the conservatives have attached to it.

[RevolutionaryActs]

9. Awesome!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[IsIt1984Yet]

11. And this feminist will not keep her mouth shut anymore.

Never again. I will not be judged by anyone for my choices, they are mine and they are personal. I will not allow myself to be used anymore by anyone, I am better than that. I will not allow myself to be abused anymore by anyone, I deserve to be loved.

I agree with every word you said. Every one. Thank you.

[WindRavenX]

12. no, thank YOU

We've been too polite. It's time to be loud and say "fuck you" to those who think we're just girls who don't know any better.

Not anymore suckas!!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. I'm a man, and consider myself a feminist aka humanist.

All one has to do is pay attention, even minimal attention, to see how women are abused and subjugated around the world.
Yes, even here, in America.

BTW, just to defer the usual, "metrosexual" crap. I'm straight, married to the same woman for 25 years, ex-marine, ex-contstruction worker, been in my share of bar brawls, and can arm wrestle.

[Just Me]

16. I love my SO and he loves me.

He wants me to be my best just like I want the same for him.

This isn't a war among the sexes. It's a battle for equality.

I am a "feminist" which means a female every bit as important and valuable as my counterpart.

[WindRavenX]

18. word

EQUALITY.

I think many people confuse feminism with "female superiority".

Feminism is the radical notion that women are people and that we deserve to be equally treated like any other human :)

[hfojvt]

47. Is that what you mean by "radical" feminist?

I sorta prefer the "Herland" variety, except that Charlotte seems to have something against sex.

[LeftyMom]

19. Real men aren't threatened by empowered women.

Good for you, I'm glad you have a supportive man to share your life with. :woohoo:

[mongo]

29. I don't think the battle these days is even a gender war

It's a war between theocrats (men and women) and free people.

[Kurovski]

62. BINGO! I was just thinking the same thing not ten minutes ago.

I'm a feminist, even if some don't think so because I permit the word "bitch" in my vocabulary.

Tough shit to that.

I sometimes think the men/women, gay/straight, black/white, and red state/blue state divisions are loved deeply--even promoted-- by the "theocracy" for their ability to keep us all fighting amongst ourselves while we lose focus on what they are doing to EVERYONE.

For that reason I look upon some who are so deeply entrenched in "PC", dogmatic and sometimes patently absurd ideology as having almost freeper-esque qualities. They do the work of the "divide and conquer" folks at the top of the structure.

Although it's been a number of years since I've done so, I like wearing make-up and getting dressed-up, too! ;-)

[seabeyond]

17. father talking about a woman not as much feminist anymore, i told

him.... i am a feminist. he went quiet. about the same as when talking to fox news rw brother i told him i was a liberal. he says..... you said it i didnt. told him, it isnt a cuss word, you know conservative/liberal, lol

yes.. i too am a feminist, that stays at home, take care of all my family including extended family, bra.... not much, lol lol, but feminist i am

[MissMarple]

21. I guess I'm just a personist...or an individualist maybe.

The boy child and the girl child insist on it. So, I guess that still includes feminist. Yes, I think it does. :)

[July]

22. Sing it!

Maybe the freepers will buy a clue when they read your description of yourself.

We come in all flavors.

[miss_american_pie]

25. I stay home with my babies

and wear high heels, well sometimes. And I'm a feminist. :hi:

[EFerrari]

31. Psssst! Don't tell the Cons. Their little heads will explode.

:hi:

[bullwinkle428]

26. Standard Neocon thug tactic, just like trying to make "liberal" a

dirty word as well...

[mongo]

27. Thank you! Bless you! Can I throw a party in your honor?

I think I should earn the same amount of money as one of the guys does for the same job.

Right there with you. In fact, I'll go on to say that women have to work HARDER for the same amount of money, or to get promoted. I have had some kick ass women managers back when I did the office thing, and more than one male manager that was basically occupying space.

I'd really like to have reproductive freedom over my body, I really think that's swell.

It's your fucking uterus -- you absolutely have control over it. The result is not always fair to men, but it really can't be any other way.

And you know what? I don't hate guys! Really! I love 'em. I have a kick ass feminist boyfriend.

Yeah! I have a kick ass feminist wife too, and I love her dearly. She's my best friend, partner, and lover.

I don't burn my bras, either. I like dressing up and wearing makeup and flirting too. Heck, I even shave my legs and armpits too!

Damn good thing you don't burn your bras, 'cause it's my understanding that they get sore after bouncing around all day. And I don't really care if you wear makeup and shave or not, well maybe the shaving part.

But I'm still a feminist.
A radical feminist too.
But I'm quite tired of having "feminist" being a dirty word.
SAY IT LOUD AND SAY IT PROUD DU FEMINIST WOMEN AND MEN

I'M A DU FEMINIST! Although there is a small subset here who have set the "feminist" agenda for themselves that would vehemently disagree with that statement.

[IsIt1984Yet]

32. And I am even a feminist who appreciates good smut, mongo!!

:toast:

[mongo]

39. The best kind of feminist in my book!

:yourock:

[Sparkly]

34. "The result is not always fair to men"

That's the only thing I'd take issue with in your post, mongo. Being "the weaker sex" -- and more specifically, the child-bearing sex -- continues to keep women down all over the world.

In my view, it's MORE than fair that men don't get to control our wombs.

[mongo]

40. I agree with you 100%

In my view, it's MORE than fair that men don't get to control our wombs.

It is certainly the only remotely equitable solution. I was only mentioning that it was possible (a small, small portion of the time) for men to get shafted.

We good?

[Sparkly]

44. Splain.

How do men sometimes "get shafted," why, and by whom?

[mongo]

50. For example

I have an ex-BIL that had a long term live in GF. Things weren't going to well, he was about to the point of breaking up with her. She stopped taking BC pills, without his knowlege and got pregnant.

He is a good southern boy with a huge sense of honor, so he stayed with her -- but a couple of years later he was at the same point, and she got pregnant again. OK the 2nd time was HIS fault, he's was a stupid SOB at that point.

Not to say that either gender can't create an unwanted pregnancy by deception. It happens both ways. But once a pregnancy happens a woman can still get an abortion. But if a woman gets pregnant through deception there is nothing a man can do.

Again, let me say that this happens a small, small, SMALL portion of the time. But relationships are supposed to be based on trust.

[Sparkly]

55. All part of the equation.

Both women AND men have to assume that ANYtime they have sex, a pregnancy could result. There's no deception there -- no matter WHAT, a pregnancy can happen. Both men and women need to accept that reality.

So he was stupid to forgo that assumption. (And she was stupid to think children would repair their relationship.) Whatever the circumstances, it was still HIS choice to go with his "sense of honor" in response to her pregnancy. Her choices -- which she may have made for herself -- were more limited, affording no opportunity for avoidance.

(I do agree that "relationships are supposed to be based on trust," but that's risky, too. Women often find "trust" pulled out from under them -- and "sense of honor" is generally the least of their burdens at that point.)

[flvegan]

28. What an f'ing joke. I mean reallly...

You want to earn the same amount of money as me? For the same job? Hah! What utter bullshit. I think you set your standards too low. As a woman, with intellect so far advanced that you, with your glass ceilings have made it this far to be "my equal" in this setting, then well, you've passed me, and deserve more. More money, more praise, more clout...whatever.

"Reproductive freedom?" Okay...let's keep working towards the inherent ability to have that, together.

Feminist boyfriends are the best. I like to think that I'm one, too.

Shit, you GO girl. Do what you want, wear what you want, look how you want. This is YOUR world, and we men are just living in it.

Can I get an "amen" so to speak?

[Cleita]

37. Wow, do you help with the household chores too? n/t

[flvegan]

41. Actually, I do them all.

I cook, clean, do the laundry, shop, tend to the books, and take care of the "kids" (my roomie and I run an animal rescue...no human kids). I work a full job, and she works a full job, and 2 other part time jobs. I figure, my time around the house is the other job for me. Sometimes, it doesn't seem fair, but then I remember that the value of the "homemaker" so to speak is so incredible as to not have a price tag/salary.

[Cleita]

42. Man you are solid gold. I wish I were fifty years younger.

;-)

[flvegan]

46. No, I'm not. I'm a man.

Real men take care of business. No matter if it's changing a diaper, washing dishes, getting that paycheck or helping make his partner "happy to be a woman" so to speak. He's gotta be ready to get up, get to work (and go down)...

[mongo]

52. Damn straight

Relationships are about working together.

Hell, if I was a woman, and you were single I'd marry ya!

Edit: Jesus, that reminded me of the "If you were gay song from Avenue Q".

[Sparkly]

45. Dang.

At the risk of sounding sexist, could you teach some "Man Courses" or something? ;)

[flvegan]

48. If I had something

to teach, I would. I'd help in any way I can.

Oh, and not sexist at all. I get it, completely.

[Sparkly]

53. Start with what you called "the value of a home-maker."

Address the issue of the "home-maker by default." (Whose job IS it and why?)

Then do labs on the process of doing laundry (special topics: how to avoid shrinking things or turning entire loads pink or grey).

Proceed to the techniques of replacing toilet-paper rolls, sorting mail, paying bills, tending to sick family members, choosing birthday gifts, etc...

You could make a fortune!!

[flvegan]

54. Isn't it funny how

so many of, er, one gender pride themselves on being able to fix anything, rebuild engines, go into the wild and catch, gut and prepare a fish, yet they just can't grasp fabric softener?

BTW, I think that "home-maker" is a job that bills with any CEO of any corporation. I'm in management of a major corporation as well, and I can easily draw the parallel.

[Sparkly]

57. Tell me about it!!

Laundry machines: basic machinery. Not difficult to use.
Fabrics: clothing comes with mandatory "Care Instructions." Not hard to interpret.
Colors: some are light, some are dark. Separate them.

I agree that "home-maker" (a job that varies with divisions of labor within each household) is MAJOR unpaid labor. It's the invisible labor that keeps all the other wheels turning. Yet among all the women I know, the job description boils down to "anything my husband won't do" which can be an equal share, or (more often) a HEAVY share -- but it's what I call the "default."

Were you brought up in a two-parent household? If so, what was the division of labor between your parents?

[mongo]

70. Not only can I operate a washing machine

I can repair it too...

I do have to admit I have a folding disability though... Daisy will refold all her clothes in the basket if I'm the one emptying the dryer.

[alarcojon]

35. Right with you, WindRavenX

it is not a term to shy away from, but one to reclaim.

[Cleita]

36. It's only a dirty word to Rush Limbaugh and Phyllis Schafley, as

well as any other Reichwinger who thinks like them.

[bleedingheart]

43. I am a woman, an engineer, a mother, an activist, a gardener

a cook, an amateur seamstress...and a PROUD feminist.

[mmonk]

49. You don't burn your bras?

Darn. Just kidding. I'm a feminist and I'm a man. Equal rights is equal rights and includes equal protection under the law.

[WillyT]

51. Feminist Dude Here !!!

Saw this T-Shirt while I was at the March For Women's Lives in D.C., with my mom and two of my sisters.



Think I'll buy ME one now, LOL!

:yourock::hi::yourock:

Link: http://www.northernsun.com/n/s/17383.html

:grouphug:

[Odin2005]

56. The RWers made Feminism a bad word the same way they made...

...Enviromentalism a bad word, they take the most extreme elements in both movements and then apply said extreme position to ALL members of the movement. The right has twisted "feminist" to mean "male-basher" and have twisted "enviromentalist" to mean "New Age hippie who thinks technology is evil."

[kineneb]

59. feminist w/corset, hoops & ruff

and full Elizabethan court outfit...and you want to know the great thing about a corset? Unlike a diet, it makes you look great instantly, holds up heavy skirts, and at the end of the day, You Get To Take It Off!

Burn bra, no. Flog idiot males to death with my ballet pointe shoe, yes!
(take that, and that, you swine!) :evilgrin:

[spuddonna]

60. Had a chat once with my Republican mother-in-law...

Somehow it got around to feminism and I said "I'm a feminist."

She looked aghast and said "No you aren't!" and I laughed and said "Oh yes I am! I think you are too!"

She said, "Oh my gosh, why would you say something like that!?"

Now, I was lucky because I knew the answer to all the questions I was about to ask her, and she's ardently pro-choice so it made this easy...

I asked, "Do you believe in freedom of choice, the right to an abortion, the right to make decisions about your own body?"

She said, "Yes."

I asked, "Do you believe that when you worked as a tutor on college that you deserved the same pay as the guys who did it?"

She said, "Yes."

I asked, "You're glad you have the right to vote, right?"

She said, "Well, naturally!"

I said, "Well, you're a feminist then!"

And she said, "No, no! I don't like women 'that way'!"

And I laughed and had to explain to my mother-in-law the difference between feminism and being a lesbian. (!) It was quite bizarre, but she actually said, "I never knew that... I'll have to think this over..." at the end of the conversation. It was like I'd smacked her in the head with a board! lol

[IndyOp]

64. OMG - That is funny!

:rofl:

Confusion between 'feminist' and 'lesbianism' -- shows just how very, very unfree our media and speech really are. We can't speak freely enough for everyone to understand that there is a difference.

I'm gonna have to suggest to my lesbian friends that they change their 'group name' to "feminists." They'll still run into assholes, but perhaps not as many as they do being "lesbians"!

:rofl:

[spuddonna]

69. Yeah, the conversation was incredibly bizarre...

There's me trying to not laugh and at the same time seriously discussing the fact that lesbians are not all the same, how she was learning a terrible stereotype. She was seriously stunned, but she respects me so she started asking me all these questions about lesbians like I was an expert! lol It was surreal!

I was so shocked that she could be confused on this. I'm guessing it came from Limpballs, and his constant use of 'feminazis' as 'man-hating women'. I wonder how many people believe the same thing?

[bumblebee1]

61. I guess I'm also a feminist

As for household labor, it's pretty even. Since both my hubby and I work second shift, I cook dinner either Friday or Saturday night. Hubby cooks Sunday dinner. I do the laundry while he cooks. As for burning bras, hell no. I need the bras. I like cooking and crosstitching. I also enjoy watching football and baseball.

[fishnfla]

65. A son, a brother, a man, a father and a husband

probably wants the same thing as a daughter, a sister, a woman, a mother, and a wife

[kitkatrose]

66. Damn skippy!!!!!!!!

:yourock:

:grouphug: are on the house.

[Nordmadr]

68. Sing it!! Be proud to be a woman. Be proud to be a man.

Equality and respect!!

Olafr

[info being]

71. Feminist man here too!

Complete equality between the sexes is the only way to go.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

73. I'm a very proud feminist/manist n/t

[tjwash]

75. I'm tired of the word "Liberal" being a dirty word as well.

:shrug: