countering feminist backlash

It’s been said again and again that the mainstream media has a problem with feminism. I completely agree with that, given all of the mainstream media I absorb on a daily basis. TV shows and movies make feminists out to be cold, scary bitches (at least until, you know, they’re “tamed” by some equally cold, scary man). The music industry is no better, using women as sex symbols rather than artists with depth and soul. (Hey! At least we aren’t baby-makers anymore! Now we’re an outlet for sexual aggression and domination! Boy, society’s sure made some strides [sarcasm]. And very much like the rest of my teenage-feminist peers, the high school environment—the birthplace of the alleged future leaders of the world, yippee—is less than understanding of our “radical” opinions. I, too, have experienced the blank stares and derisive lectures about how pointless women’s rights are. I got angry, too.

Honestly, it’s scary to think about how ill-informed our generation is about the plight of women. I’m not just talking about rape and domestic violence (make no mistake, those are HUGE issues!), but the lack of rights for women in developing countries. Genital mutilation, rape, female infanticide, voting rights—my gosh, the list goes on. Feminism does not stop at America’s borders. That being said, I’m very concerned about how such powerful countries are supposed to lead the world into a “better” future when their attitudes towards women equate to the idea that we don’t need women’s rights.

Umm, wrong?

Telling women that they should shut up and be happy with the lives their great nation affords them is most definitely sending the wrong message. We recognize that racism is an on-going vice we need to counter with vigilance. I understand that feminism and racism are two different forms of oppression, and I am in no way trying to say that one is better or worse than the other, but racism didn’t go away with “I Have a Dream.” Why can’t we acknowledge that sexism didn’t go away with the 1970’s? I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that these oppressive institutions are still around today—they’re just way more subtle.

I guess the point of this mini-rant is to voice my concerns about feminism and the unfavorable light my dear America has thrown upon it for all the world to see—and potentially learn from. It worries me. I’d love some feedback about ways we can counter this. Opinions in general are welcome—I do love discussion!