Feminists. We’re everywhere.
You’ll find us in your workplaces, your classes, your doctor’s office, your home.
We’re everywhere.
There is no avoiding feminism nowadays whether it’s commodity feminism, empowerment feminism, feminists on tumblr,Women’s Marches, or critiques of feminism from kooky senators, the alt-right, and outrage specialists like Tomi Lahren and Milo Yiannopoulous. Feminism is everywhere in today’s society.
While you may be focusing on the latest rant about ‘political correctness gone mad’, you are missing out on the backlash bind against feminism and indeed, women, as global politics shifts increasingly to the right. Sarah Banet-Weiser said that we are living in an era of ‘popular misogyny‘, and I couldn’t agree more with this sentiment.
Meanwhile, those Friendly Neighbourhood Feminists in every corner of your life are pushing back against popular misogyny every day. Whether it’s participating in a march, or discussing key issues with students, friends, patients, clients, family those Friendly Neighbourhood Feminists are fighting for change in the ways that are available to them.
This is my feminism. It is pervasive, enduring, everywhere. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to feminism, because of course those who identify as women do not have universal experiences. My feminism will be intersectional or it will be bullshit. I am not free until all women are free, even if her shackles are different from my own.
As an educator, an intellectual, former welfare-class white woman, my feminism is always influenced by who I am and my commentary reflects this. These aspects of my identity filter through in my academic work and the commentary that I offer here.
Follow along for accessible writings on feminism, the PhD experience, academic life, sociology, sexual violence, popular culture, sport, masculinity, and social mobility.
Shawna Marks 