Orner 1

LauraGrace Orner
Dr. Kendra Parker
English 113: Feminist Perspective
September 17, 2016
Defining Redefined Feminism
In the Chapter One of Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics, Gloria Watkins
defines feminism as a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression (1). She
goes on to explain that she prefers to use this definition because it deals with the main issue that
is systemic sexism in society, rather than the stereotypical issue of man hate (Watkins 1). As she
herself put it, sexist thinking and action is the problem, whether those who perpetuate it are
female or male, child or adult (Watkins 1). Although some people believe that being a feminist
is to be an angry, sex-hating, man-hating victim lady person (Gay xi), Watkins insists that her
open ended definition allows for a feminist to simply be an active participant in the fight to
dismantle institutionalized sexism (1).
I have mixed feelings about Watkins view/ definition of feminism. On one hand I agree
with her insistence on the idea that sexism is systemic, not simply one gender versus the other;
she notes on page three that females can be sexist as well [as men]. I would have expected
Watkins to elaborate on this point, going to discuss the importance of intersectional feminism in
the sense that feminism is open to interpretation, but instead she goes on to challenge what she
has dubbed lifestyle feminism (Watkins 5). Watkin defines lifestyle feminism as the
underlying assumption that women can be feminists without fundamentally challenging and
changing themselves or the culture (Watkins 6). I believe that this idea would be creating an
exclusive feminist culture; I am afraid that this ideology would promote the idea that there is a
right and a wrong way for women to use their freedom. This is the same ideology that
encourages women to tear down hijab-wearing women, claiming that the women wearing hijabs
are allowing the men in their lives to oppress and control them. The idea that feminism is not for
all women is the same idea behind white feminism, which, as discussed in previous classes, is
dangerous due to its lack of intersectionality. I believe Watkins is attempting to re-define
womens liberation in such a way that it will alienate those that who fall outside of what she
believes womens freedom should look like. Watkins argues that feminist politics are losing
momentum because feminist movement has lost clear definitions (Watkins 6). Which I believe
is true in the sense that the lack of definition has led to an overabundance of negative stereotypes
about feminism and I think that society should re-define feminism, but not in the way in which
Watkins suggests.
I believe in inclusive and intersectional feminism. I believe that women should be free to
live their lives in whatever way they choose, whether that be by going to womens liberation
rallies or playing the role of housewife and stay at home mom. I believe that women can be
whoever and whatever they choose to be. I do not believe that there is a right and wrong way for
women to use their freedom; I simply believe that women should be free.

Orner 2

Works Cited
Gay, Roxane. "Feminism (n.): Plural." Bad Feminist: Essays. 1st ed. New York: Harper Collins,
2014. X-Xiv. Print.
Watkins, Gloria. "Feminist Politics: Where We Stand." Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate
Politics. Cambridge: Bell Hooks, 2000. 1-6. Print.