Listening to an interview with Tina Fey on NPR this morning as I was driving John to school, I thought about how much I admire her, not just for being a great comedienne and actress but having the guts to be openly and hilariously feminist. In an almost "post-feminist" society where many feminists of the '60's and beyond are seen (and dismissed) as radical, crazy, closet lesbians with a hatred of men and sore shoulders from carrying that huge chip, there's a certain resistance among younger women to classify ourselves as feminists.
Then along come women like Tina Fey, who throw that word around like candy and revel in it! She loves her feminist comedy, she remarks frequently on it and cracks jokes that level the playing field, subtly (and sometimes overtly) pointing out the absurdities in our society. She high-fives our society's hard-hitting winners like Hillary Clinton and take back ownership of previously derogatory terms like "bitch". Take a listen:
Part of my obsession with Tina Fey stems from the fact that she does not take herself too seriously while still taking the subject matter very seriously. She advocates tirelessly for women's rights and has no problem being seen as a proud, blatant feminist while still being a very active player in the Hollywood scene, putting her in a uniquely prime position to comment on our society and have the platform and visibility to reach millions while doing it. She's no fawning Hollywood actress, however. She doesn't shy from speaking at political and activist events. Here's a clip of her commentary on the definition of rape that shows just a bit of her passion and her fire- while still making jokes and keeping the tone light, her anger and disappointment is crystal clear:
So what inspiration does that give us, the third-wave feminists who were raised by moms with careers, cared for by fathers and daycares, who now stand outside state capitols to fight the legislators who think we'll stand by and ignore the attempt to revoke ground gained by Roe v. Wade, among other issues? It shows us that you can be beautiful, smart, successful, witty, and call yourself a feminist.
You don't have to wear Birkenstocks.
You don't have to burn your bra.
You don't have to forgo makeup and pretty clothes.
You can revel in your femininity while demanding respect for your gender.
There have been countless women throughout history who have progressed the cause of women's rights but many have been expressed through artistic creation, mainly writing. Women began to shed light on their misery and unhappiness as far back as the 15th century with the publication of authors' Christine de Pizan and Anne Bradstreet's groundbreaking protofeminist writings. By the time the suffrage movement was officially in swing in the late 19th and early 20th century, dozens of female authors had introduced some level of feminist thought to most educated women in the world.
Women today, like myself, still struggle with the continuing themes of balancing motherhood and career, romantic ideals and equality in intimate relationships, and conveying a sense of proud ownership of our feminist status in the world. While not every feminist is regarded as a "radical" nowadays, the word does still carry a hefty weight in sociopolitical conversation. With legislators and politicians nationwide circling back and taking a stab at deconstructing decades of women's rights, for which second-wave feminists fought tooth and nail, risking imprisonment and social condemnation, it's just as important now, if not more, that those of us who consider ourselves in the ranks of modern feminism rise up and stand firm for the rights of our neighbors, our daughters, and all women.
Do you consider yourself to be a feminist (this goes for men as well!)? If not, why? Do you agree or disagree with modern feminist thought and theory (that women should have equal pay for equal work, that reproductive rights are inherent civil rights in a free democracy, etc)? Please comment below, share to your friends and colleagues, and start a conversation!
You don't have to wear Birkenstocks.
You don't have to burn your bra.
You don't have to forgo makeup and pretty clothes.
You can revel in your femininity while demanding respect for your gender.
There have been countless women throughout history who have progressed the cause of women's rights but many have been expressed through artistic creation, mainly writing. Women began to shed light on their misery and unhappiness as far back as the 15th century with the publication of authors' Christine de Pizan and Anne Bradstreet's groundbreaking protofeminist writings. By the time the suffrage movement was officially in swing in the late 19th and early 20th century, dozens of female authors had introduced some level of feminist thought to most educated women in the world.
Women today, like myself, still struggle with the continuing themes of balancing motherhood and career, romantic ideals and equality in intimate relationships, and conveying a sense of proud ownership of our feminist status in the world. While not every feminist is regarded as a "radical" nowadays, the word does still carry a hefty weight in sociopolitical conversation. With legislators and politicians nationwide circling back and taking a stab at deconstructing decades of women's rights, for which second-wave feminists fought tooth and nail, risking imprisonment and social condemnation, it's just as important now, if not more, that those of us who consider ourselves in the ranks of modern feminism rise up and stand firm for the rights of our neighbors, our daughters, and all women.
Do you consider yourself to be a feminist (this goes for men as well!)? If not, why? Do you agree or disagree with modern feminist thought and theory (that women should have equal pay for equal work, that reproductive rights are inherent civil rights in a free democracy, etc)? Please comment below, share to your friends and colleagues, and start a conversation!
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