Am I A Feminist?

Prior to taking this course, I would not have considered myself a feminist. I always believed that a feminist were women who obsessed over fighting for women's rights. Honestly, I always assumed that feminist were advocates for the white women. As an African American woman, I do not support the oppression of African American people. After completing the readings, my definition of a feminist is completely different. Feminism is actually the fight for equality of all people. In that sense, I would now consider myself a feminist.  

I was not surprised at my results from the survey.  I am an African American woman who strongly support equal rights for women of color, so it shows no surprise that my highest score supported Women of Color with 42 points. Liberal Feminist followed up with 38 points as second highest score. I agree with the Liberal Feminist belief that sometimes society holds the false belief that women are less capable than men are. According to Wikipedia, Liberal Feminist focuses on women’s ability to maintain their equality through their own actions and choices. As a female studying in the male dominant Engineering Field, I believe that it sets an example that women have the ability to take actions to maintain their equality. This shows that women can be successful in the same areas of education as a man could. I believe if it was not for that activist, women now days would not be presented the opportunity to excel as they do now.  

The intersectional approach may show in conflict with other theoretical approaches. Multiple oppression serves as one theory that brings forth conflict within its self. For example, women of color in a work place possess two minority aspects. Since she is s women and black, there are two different potentials to be discriminated against. Another theory that presents conflict in other theoretical approaches is sexism and racism. “If sexism and racism must be seen as interlocking, and not as piled upon each other, serious problems arise for the claim that one of them is more fundamental than the other  ...”   

"Political is personal" was created to highlight the problems faced in a women’s personal life. Access to health care, housework responsibilities, sexually assault were all considered political issues. Events that have occurred demonstrating the political becoming personal was the fight to make abortions illegal. This affects a women’s choice to make a life decision on her own. This a perfect example of the political becomes personal because women could not make choice on her own. I am openly learning more about the topic as the course goes on. However, one small question I have about feminism is what ways can we progress and spread knowledge about feminism in our local communities and on campus.