FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY Passionate Politics bell hooks South End Press Cambridge,MA
FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY Passionate Politics bell hooks South End Press Cambridge, MA
CONTENTS Copyright 2000 by Gloria Watkins Cover design by Ellen P.Shapiro Cover illustration by Laura DeSantis,Artville INTRODUCTION Any properly footnoted quotation of up to 500 sequential words Come Closer to Feminism vii may be used without permission,as long as the total number of words quoted does not exceed 2,000.For longer quotations or for a 1.FEMINIST POLITICS greater number of total words,please write to South End Press for Where We Stand 1 permission. 2.CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING A Constant Change of Heart 7 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hooks,Bell. 3.SISTERHOOD IS STILL POWERFUL 13 Feminism is for everybody:passionate politics/Bell Hooks. 4.FEMINIST EDUCATION p.cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. FOR CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS 19 ISBN0-89608-629-1-ISBN0-89608-628-3(pbk.) 1.Feminist theory.2.Feminism-Philosophy.3.Feminism- 5.OUR BODIES,OURSELVES Political aspects.4.Sex discrimination against women.I.Title. Reproductive Rights 25 HQ1190.H672000 6.BEAUTY WITHIN AND WITHOUT 31 305.4201-dc21 00-036589 7.FEMINIST CLASS STRUGGLE 37 South End Press,7 Brookline Street,#1,Cambridge,MA 02139 060504 789 8.GLOBAL FEMINISM 44 Printed in Canada 9.WOMEN AT WORK 48
Copyright © 2000 by Gloria Watkins Cover design by Ellen P. Shapiro Cover illustration by Laura DeSantis, © Artville Any properly footnoted quotation of up to 500 sequential words may be used without permission, as long as the total number of words quoted does not exceed 2,000. For longer quotations or for a greater number of total words, please write to South End Press for permission. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hooks, Bell. Feminism is for everybody: passionate politics / Bell Hooks. p.cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-89608-629-1 - ISBN 0-89608-628-3 (pbk.) 1. Feminist theory. 2. Feminism - Philosophy. 3. Feminism - Political aspects. 4. Sex discrimination against women. 1. Title. HQl190 .H67 2000 305.42'01 - dc21 00-036589 South End Press, 7 Brookline Street, #1, Cambridge, MA 02139 06 05 04 7 8 9 Printed in Canada CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Come Closer to Feminism 1. FEMINIST POLITICS Where We Stand 2. CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING A Constant Change of Heart 3. SISI:ERHOOD IS STILL POWERFUL 4. FEMINIST EDUCATION FOR CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS 5. OUR BODIES, OURSELVES Reproductive Rights 6. BEAUTY WITHIN AND WITHOUT 7. FEMINIST CLASS STRUGGLE 8. GLOBAL FEMINISM 9. WOMEN AT WORI( Vll 1 7 13 19 25 31 37 44 48
10.RACE AND GENDER 55 11.ENDING VIOLENCE 61 12.FEMINIST MASCULINITY 67 13.FEMINIST PARENTING 72 INTRODUCTION 14.LIBERATING MARRIAGE AND PARTNERSHIP 78 Come Closer to Feminism 15.A FEMINIST SEXUAL POLITIC Everywhere I go I proudly tell folks who want to know who I am An Ethics of Mutual Freedom 85 and what I do that I am a writer,a feminist theorist,a cultural critic.I tell them I write about movies and popular culture,analyzing the 16.TOTAL BLISS Lesbianism and Feminism 93 message in the medium.Most people find this exciting and want to know more.Everyone goes to movies,watches television,glances 17.TO LOVE AGAIN through magazines,and everyone has thoughts about the messages The Heart of Feminism 100 they receive,about the images they look at.It is easy for the diverse public I encounter to understand what I do as a cultural critic,to un- 18.FEMINIST SPIRITUALITY 105 derstand my passion for writing (lots of folks want to write,and do). But feminist theory-that's the place where the questions stop.In- 19.VISIONARY FEMINISM 110 stead I tend to hear all about the evil of feminism and the bad femi- INDEX 119 nists:how“they”hate men;how“they'want to go against nature- and god;how"they"are all lesbians;how"they"are taking all the jobs ABOUT SOUTH END PRESS 125 and making the world hard for white men,who do not stand a chance. When I ask these same folks about the feminist books or maga- zines they read,when I ask them about the feminist talks they have heard,about the feminist activists they know,they respond by let- ting me know that everything they know about feminism has come into their lives thirdhand,that they really have not come close enough to feminist movement to know what really happens,what it's really about.Mostly they think feminism is a bunch of angry vii
10. RACE AND GENDER 11. ENDING VIOLENCE 12. FEMINIST MASCULINITY 13. FEMINIST PARENTING 14. LIBERATING MARRIAGE AND PARTNERSHIP 15. A FEMINIST SEXUAL POLITIC An Ethics of Mutual Freedom 16. TOTAL BLISS Lesbianism and Feminism 17. TO LOVE AGAIN The Heart of Feminism 18. FEMINIST SPIRITUALITY 19. VISIONARY FEMINISM INDEX ABOUT SOUTH END PRESS 55 61 67 72 78 85 93 100 105 110 119 125 INTRODUCTION Come Closer to Feminism Everywhere I go I proudly tell folks who want to know who I am and what I do that I am a writer, a feminist theorist, a cultural critic. I tell them I write about movies and popular culture, analyzing the message in the medium. Most people find this exciting and want to know more. Everyone goes to movies, watches television, glances through magazines, and everyone has thoughts about the messages they receive, about the images they look at. It is easy for the diverse public I encounter to understand what I do as a cultural critic, to understand my passion for writing Oots of folks want to write, and do). But feminist theory - that's the place where the questions stop. Instead I tend to hear all about the evil of feminism and the bad feminists: how "they" hate men; how "they" want to go against natureand god; how "they" are all lesbians; how "they" are taking all the jobs and making the world hard for white men, who do not stand a chance. When I ask these same folks about the feminist books or magazines they read, when I ask them about the feminist talks they have heard, about the feminist activists they know, they respond by letting me know that everything they know about feminism has come into their lives thirdhand, that they really have not come close enough to feminist movement to know what really happens, what it's really about. Mostly they think feminism is a bunch of angry Vll
viⅷi FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY INTRODUCTION ix women who want to be like men.They do not even think about would be naive and wrongminded for feminist thinkers to see the feminism as being about rights-about women gaining equal movement as simplistically being for women against men.To end rights.When I talk about the feminism I know-up close and per- patriarchy (another way of naming the institutionalized sexism)we sonal-they willingly listen,although when our conversations end, need to be clear that we are all participants in perpetuating sexism they are quick to tell me I am different,not like the"real"feminists until we change our minds and hearts,until we let go of sexist who hate men,who are angry.I assure them I am as a real and as rad- thought and action and replace it with feminist thought and action. ical a feminist as one can be,and if they dare to come closer to femi- Males as a group have and do benefit the most from patriarchy, nism they will see it is not how they have imagined it. from the assumption that they are superior to females and should Each time I leave one of these encounters,I want to have in my rule over us.But those benefits have come with a price.In return for hand a little book so that I can say,read this book,and it will tell you all the goodies men receive from patriarchy,they are required to what feminism is,what the movement is about.I want to be holding dominate women,to exploit and oppress us,using violence if they in my hand a concise,fairly easy to read and understand book;not a must to keep patriarchy intact.Most men find it difficult to be patri- long book,not a book thick with hard to understand jargon and aca- archs.Most men are disturbed by hatred and fear of women,by male demic language,but a straightforward,clear book-casy to read violence against women,even the men who perpetuate this vio- without being simplistic.From the moment feminist thinking,poli- lence.But they fear letting go of the benefits.They are not certain tics,and practice changed my life,I have wanted this book.I have what will happen to the world they know most intimately if patriar- wanted to give it to the folk I love so that they can understand better chy changes.So they find it easier to passively support male domina- this cause,this feminist politics I believe in so deeply,that is the tion even when they know in their minds and hearts that it is wrong. foundation of my political life. Again and again men tell me they have no idea what it is feminists I have wanted them to have an answer to the question"what is want.I believe them.I believe in their capacity to change and grow. feminism?"that is rooted neither in fear or fantasy.I have wanted And I believe that if they knew more about feminism they would no them to have this simple definition to read again and again so they longer fear it,for they would find in feminist movement the hope of know:"Feminism is a movement to end sexism,sexist exploitation, theit own release from the bondage of patriarchy. and oppression."I love this definition,which I first offered more It is for these men,young and old,and for all of us,that I have than 10 years ago in my book Feminist Theory:From Margin to Center.I written this short handbook,the book I have spent more than 20 love it because it so clearly states that the movement is not about be- years longing for.I had to write it because I kept waiting for it to ap- ing anti-male.It makes it clear that the problem is sexism.And that pear,and it did not.And without it there was no way to address the clarity helps us remember that all of us,female and male,have been hordes of people in this nation who are daily bombarded with socialized from birth on to accept sexist thought and action.As a anti-feminist backlash,who are being told to hate and resist a move- consequence,females can be just as sexist as men.And while that ment that they know very little about.There should be so many little does not excuse or justify male domination,it does mean that it feminist primers,easy to read pamphlets and books,telling us all
V1ll FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY women who want to be like men. They do not even think about feminism as being about rights - about women gaining equal rights. When I talk about the feminism I know - up close and personal- they willingly listen, although when our conversations end, they are quick to tell me I am different, not like the "real" feminists who hate men, who are angry. I assure them I am as a real and as radical a feminist as one can be, and if they dare to come closer to feminism they will see it is not how they have imagined it. Each time I leave one of these encounters, I want to have in my hand a little book so that I can say, read this book, and it will tell you what feminism is, what the movement is about. I want to be holding in my hand a concise, fairly easy to read and understand book; not a long book, not a book thick with hard to understand jargon and academic language, but a straightforward, clear book - easy to read without being simplistic. From the moment feminist thinking, politics, and practice changed my life, I have wanted this book. I have wanted to give it to the folk I love so that they can understand better this cause, this feminist politics I believe in so deeply, that is the foundation of my political life. I have wanted them to have an answer to the question "what is feminism?" that is rooted neither in fear or fantasy. I have wanted them to have this simple definition to read again and again so they know: "Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression." I love this definition, which I first offered more than 10 years ago in my book Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. I love it because it so clearly states that the movement is not about being anti-male. It makes it clear that the problem is sexism. And that clarity helps us remember that all of us, female and male, have been socialized from birth on to accept sexist thought and action. As a consequence, females can be just as sexist as men. And while that does not excuse or justify male domination, it does mean that it INTRODUCTION IX would be naive and wrongminded for feminist thinkers to see the movement as simplistically being for women against men. To end patriarchy (another way of naming the institutionalized sexism) we need to be clear that we are all participants in perpetuating sexism until we change our minds and hearts, until we let go of sexist thought and action and replace it with feminist thought and action. Males as a group have and do benefit the most from patriarchy, from the assumption that they are superior to females and should rule over us. But those benefits have come with a price. In return for all the goodies men receive from patriarchy, they are required to dominate women, to exploit and oppress us, using violence if they must to keep patriarchy intact. Most men find it difficult to be patriarchs. Most men are disturbed by hatred and fear of women, by male violence against women, even the men who perpetuate this violence. But they fear letting go of the benefits. They are not certain what will happen to the world they know most intimately if patriarchy changes. So they find it easier to passively support male domination even when they know in their minds and hearts that it is wrong. Again and again men tell me they have no idea what it is feminists want. I believe them. I believe in their capacity to change and grow. And I believe that if they knew more about feminism they would no longer fear it, for they would find in feminist movement the hope of their own release from the bondage of patriarchy. It is for these men, young and old, and for all of us, that I have written this short handbook, the book I have spent more than 20 years longing for. I had to write it because I kept waiting for it to appear, and it did not. And without it there was no way to address the hordes of people in this nation who are daily bombarded with anti-feminist backlash, who are being told to hate and resist a movement that they know very little about. There should be so many little feminist primers, easy to read pamphlets and books, telling us all
FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY about feminism,that this book would be just another passionate 1 voice speaking out on behalf of feminist politics.There should be bill- boards;ads in magazines;ads on buses,subways,trains;television commercials spreading the word,letting the world know more about feminism.We are not there yet.But this is what we must do to share feminism,to let the movement into everyone's mind and heart. Feminist change has already touched all our lives in a positive way. FEMINIST POLITICS And yet we lose sight of the positive when all we hear about femi- nism is negative. Where We Stand When I began to resist male domination,to rebel against patri- archal thinking(and to oppose the strongest patriarchal voice in my Simply put,feminism is a movement to end sexism,sexist exploita- life-my mother's voice),I was still a teenager,suicidal,depressed, tion,and oppression.This was a definition of feminism I offered in uncertain about how I would find meaning in my life and a place for Feminist Theory:From Margin to Center more than 10 yeats ago.It was myself.I needed feminism to give me a foundation of equality and my hope at the time that it would become a common definition justice to stand on.Mama has come around to feminist thinking.She everyone would use.I liked this definition because it did not imply sees me and all her daughters (we are six)living better lives because of that men were the enemy.By naming sexism as the problem it went feminist politics.She sees the promise and hope in feminist move- directly to the heart of the matter.Practically,it is a definition which ment.It is that promise and hope that I want to share with you in implies that all sexist thinking and action is the problem,whether this book,with everybody. those who perpetuate it are female or male,child or adult.It is also Imagine living in a world where there is no domination,where broad enough to include an understanding of systemic institutional- females and males are not alike or even always equal,but where a vi- ized sexism.As a definition it is open-ended.To understand femi- sion of mutuality is the ethos shaping our interaction.Imagine living nism it implies one has to necessarily understand sexism. in a world where we can all be who we are,a world of peace and pos- As all advocates of feminist politics know,most people do not sibility.Feminist revolution alone will not create such a world;we understand sexism,or if they do,they think it is not a problem. need to end racism,class elitism,imperialism.But it will make it possi- Masses of people think that feminism is always and only about ble for us to be fully self-actualized females and males able to create women seeking to be equal to men.And a huge majority of these beloved community,to live together,realizing our dreams of freedom folks think feminism is anti-male.Their misunderstanding of femi- and justice,living the truth that we are all "created equal."Come nist politics reflects the reality that most folks learn about feminism closer.See how feminism can touch and change your life and all our from patriarchal mass media.The feminism they hear about the lives.Come closer and know firsthand what feminist movement is all most is portrayed by women who are primarily committed to gender about.Come closer and you will see:feminism is for everybody. equality-equal pay for equal work,and sometimes women and 1
x FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY about feminism, that this book would be just another passionate voice speaking out on behalf of feminist politics. There should be billboards; ads in magazines; ads on buses, subways, trains; television commercials spreading the word, letting the world know more about feminism. We are not there yet. But this is what we must do to share feminism, to let the movement into everyone's mind and heart. Feminist change has already touched all our lives in a positive way. And yet we lose sight of the positive when all we hear about feminism is negative. When I began to resist male domination, to rebel against patriarchal thinking (and to oppose the strongest patriarchal voice in my life - my mother's voice), I was still a teenager, suicidal, depressed, uncertain about how I would find meaning in my life and a place for myself. I needed feminism to give me a foundation of equality and justice to stand on. Mama has come around to feminist thinking. She sees me and all her daughters (we are six) living better lives because of feminist politics. She sees the promise and hope in feminist movement. It is that promise and hope that I want to share with you in this book, with everybody. Imagine living in a world where there is no domination, where females and males are not alike or even always equal, but where a vision of mutuality is the ethos shaping our interaction. Imagine living in a world where we can all be who we are, a world of peace and possibility. Feminist revolution alone will not create such a world; we need to end racism, class elitism, imperialism. But it will make it possible for us to be fully self-actualized females and males able to create beloved community, to live together, realizing our dreams of freedom and justice, living the truth that we are all "created equal." Come closer. See how feminism can touch and change your life and all our lives. Come closer and know firsthand what feminist movement is all about. Come closer and you will see: feminism is for everybody. 1 FEMINIST POLITICS Where We Stand Simply put, feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. This was a definition of feminism I offered in Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center more than 10 years ago. It was my hope at the time that it would become a common definition everyone would use. I liked this definition because it did not imply that men were the enemy. By naming sexism as the problem it went directly to the heart of the matter. Practically, it is a definition which implies that all sexist thinking and action is the problem, whether those who perpetuate it are female or male, child or adult. It is also broad enough to include an understanding of systemic institutionalized sexism. As a definition it is open-ended. To understand feminism it implies one has to necessarily understand sexism. As all advocates of feminist politics know, most people do not understand sexism, or if they do, they think it is not a problem. Masses of people think that feminism is always and only about women seeking to be equal to men. And a huge majority of these folks think feminism is anti-male. Their misunderstanding of feminist politics reflects the reality that most folks learn about feminism from patriarchal mass media. The feminism they hear about the most is portrayed by women who are primarily committed to gender equality - equal pay for equal work, and sometimes women and 1
2 FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY FEMINIST POLITICS 3 men sharing household chores and parenting.They see that these women to follow.Participating in these radical freedom struggles women are usually white and materially privileged.They know from awakened the spirit of rebellion and resistance in progressive fe- mass media that women's liberation focuses on the freedom to have males and led them towards contemporary women's liberation. abortions,to be lesbians,to challenge rape and domestic violence. As contemporary feminism progressed,as women realized that Among these issues,masses of people agree with the idea of gender males were not the only group in our society who supported sexist equity in the workplace-equal pay for equal work. thinking and behavior-that females could be sexist as well- Since our society continues to be primarily a"Christian"cul- anti-male sentiment no longer shaped the movement's conscious- ture,masses of people continue to believe that god has ordained that ness.The focus shifted to an all-out effort to create gender justice. women be subordinate to men in the domestic household.Even But women could not band together to further feminism without though masses of women have entered the workforce,even though confronting our sexist thinking.Sisterhood could not be powerful many families are headed by women who are the sole breadwinners, as long as women were competitively at war with one another.Uto- the vision of domestic life which continues to dominate the nation's pian visions of sisterhood based solely on the awareness of the real- imagination is one in which the logic of male domination is intact, ity that all women were in some way victimized by male domination whether men are present in the home or not.The wrongminded no- were disrupted by discussions of class and race.Discussions of class tion of feminist movement which implied it was anti-male carried differences occurred early on in contemporary feminism,preceding with it the wrongminded assumption that all female space would discussions of race.Diana Press published revolutionary insights necessarily be an environment where patriarchy and sexist thinking about class divisions between women as early as the mid-'70s in their would be absent.Many women,even those involved in feminist pol- collection of essays Class and Feminis.These discussions did not itics,chose to believe this as well. trivialize the feminist insistence that"sisterhood is powerful,"they There was indeed a great deal of anti-male sentiment among simply emphasized that we could only become sisters in struggle by early feminist activists who were responding to male domination confronting the ways women-through sex,class,and race- with anger.It was that anger at injustice that was the impetus for cre- dominated and exploited other women,and created a political plat- ating a women's liberation movement.Early on most feminist activ- form that would address these differences. ists(a majority of whom were white)had their consciousness raised Even though individual black women were active in contempo- about the nature of male domination when they were working in rary feminist movement from its inception,they were not the indi- anti-classist and anti-racist settings with men who were telling the viduals who became the"stars"of the movement,who attracted the world about the importance of freedom while subordinating the attention of mass media.Often individual black women active in women in their ranks.Whether it was white women working on be- feminist movement were revolutionary feminists(like many white half of socialism,black women working on behalf of civil rights and lesbians).They were already at odds with reformist feminists who black liberation,or Native American women working for indige- resolutely wanted to project a vision of the movement as being nous rights,it was clear that men wanted to lead,and they wanted solely about women gaining equality with men in the existing sys-
2 FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY men sharing household chores and parenting. They see that these women are usually white and materially privileged. They know from mass media that women's liberation focuses on the freedom to have abortions, to be lesbians, to challenge rape and domestic violence. Among these issues, masses of people agree with the idea of gender equity in the workplace - equal pay for equal work. Since our society continues to be primarily a "Christian" culture, masses of people continue to believe that god has ordained that women be subordinate to men in the domestic household. Even though masses of women have entered the workforce, even though many families are headed by women who are the sole breadwinners, the vision of domestic life which continues to dominate the nation's imagination is one in which the logic of male domination is intact, whether men are present in the home or not. The wrongminded notion of feminist movement which implied it was anti-male carried with it the wrongminded assumption that all female space would necessarily be an environment where patriarchy and sexist thinking would be absent. Many women, even those involved in feminist politics, chose to believe this as well. There was indeed a great deal of anti-male sentiment among early feminist activists who were responding to male domination with anger. It was that anger at injustice that was the impetus for creating a women's liberation movement. Early on most feminist activists (a majority of whom were white) had their consciousness raised about the nature of male domination when they were working in anti-classist and anti-racist settings with men who were telling the world about the importance of freedom while subordinating the women in their ranks. Whether it was white women working on behalf of socialism, black women working on behalf of civil rights and black liberation, or Native American women working for indigenous rights, it was clear that men wanted to lead, and they wanted FEMINIST POLITICS 3 women to follow. Participating in these radical freedom struggles awakened the spirit of rebellion and resistance in progressive females and led them towards contemporary women's liberation. As contemporary feminism progressed, as women realized that males were not the only group in our society who supported sexist thinking and behavior - that females could be sexist as well - anti-male sentiment no longer shaped the movement's consciousness. The focus shifted to an all-out effort to create gender justice. But women could not band together to further feminism without confronting our sexist thinking. Sisterhood could not be powerful as long as women were competitively at war with one another. Utopian visions of sisterhood based solely on the awareness of the reality that all women were in some way victimized by male domination were disrupted by discussions of class and race. Discussions of class differences occurred early on in contemporary feminism, preceding discussions of race. Diana Press published revolutionary insights about class divisions between women as early as the mid-'70s in their collection of essays Class and Feminism. These discussions did not trivialize the feminist insistence that "sisterhood is powerful," they simply emphasized that we could only become sisters in struggle by confronting the ways women - through sex, class, and race - dominated and exploited other women, and created a political platform that would address these differences. Even though individual black women were active in contemporary feminist movement from its inception, they were not the individuals who became the "stars" of the movement, who attracted the attention of mass media. Often individual black women active in feminist movement were revolutionary feminists (like many white lesbians). They were already at odds with reformist feminists who resolutely wanted to project a vision of the movement as being solely about women gaining equality with men in the existing sys-
FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY FEMINIST POLITICS tem.Even before race became a talked about issue in feminist circles olutionary feminist thinking was most accepted and embraced in it was clear to black women (and to their revolutionary allies in academic circles.In those circles the production of revolutionary struggle)that they were never going to have equality within the exist- feminist theory progressed,but more often than not that theory was ing white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. not made available to the public.It became and remains a privileged From its earliest inception feminist movement was polarized. discourse available to those among us who are highly literate,well- Reformist thinkers chose to emphasize gender equality.Revolution- educated,and usually materially privileged.Works like Fminist The- ary thinkers did not want simply to alter the existing system so that ory:From Margin to Center that offer a liberatory vision of feminist women would have more rights.We wanted to transform that sys- transformation never receive mainstream attention.Masses of peo- tem,to bring an end to patriarchy and sexism.Since patriarchal mass ple have not heard of this book.They have not rejected its message; media was not interested in the more revolutionary vision,it never they do not know what the message is. received attention in mainstream press.The vision of"women's lib- While it was in the interest of mainstream white supremacist eration"which captured and still holds the public imagination was capitalist patriarchy to suppress visionary feminist thinking which the one representing women as wanting what men had.And this was was not anti-male or concerned with getting women the right to be the vision that was easier to realize.Changes in our nation's econ- like men,reformist feminists were also eager to silence these forces. omy,economic depression,the loss of jobs,etc.,made the climate Reformist feminism became their route to class mobility.They ripe for our nation's citizens to accept the notion of gender equality could break free of male domination in the workforce and be more in the workforce. self-determining in their lifestyles.While sexism did not end,they Given the reality of racism,it made sense that white men were could maximize their freedom within the existing system.And they more willing to consider women's rights when the granting of those could count on there being a lower class of exploited subordinated rights could serve the interests of maintaining white supremacy.We women to do the dirty work they were refusing to do.By accepting can never forget that white women began to assert their need for and indeed colluding with the subordination of working-class and freedom after civil rights,just at the point when racial discrimination poor women,they not only ally themselves with the existing patriar- was ending and black people,especially black males,might have at- chy and its concomitant sexism,they give themselves the right to lead tained equality in the workforce with white men.Reformist feminist a double life,one where they are the equals of men in the workforce thinking focusing primarily on equality with men in the workforce and at home when they want to be.If they choose lesbianism they overshadowed the original radical foundations of contemporary have the privilege of being equals with men in the workforce while feminism which called for reform as well as overall restructuring of using class power to create domestic lifestyles where they can society so that our nation would be fundamentally anti-sexist. choose to have little or no contact with men. Most women,especially privileged white women,ceased even Lifestyle feminism ushered in the notion that there could be as to consider revolutionary feminist visions,once they began to gain many versions of feminism as there were women.Suddenly the politics economic power within the existing social structure.Ironically,rev- was being slowly removed from feminism.And the assumption pre-
, , ! , I .1 4 FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY tem. Even before race became a talked about issue in feminist circles it was clear to black women (and to their revolutionary allies in struggle) that they were never going to have equality within the existing white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. From its earliest inception feminist movement was polarized. Reformist thinkers chose to emphasize gender equality. Revolutionary thinkers did not want simply to alter the existing system so that women would have more rights. We wanted to transform that system, to bring an end to patriarchy and sexism. Since patriarchal mass media was not interested in the more revolutionary vision, it never received attention in mainstream press. The vision of "women's liberation" which captured and still holds the public imagination was the one representing women as wanting what men had. And this was the vision that was easier to realize. Changes in our nation's economy, economic depression, the loss of jobs, etc., made the climate ripe for our nation's citizens to accept the notion of gender equality in the workforce. Given the reality of racism, it made sense that white men were more willing to consider women's rights when the granting of those rights could serve the interests of maintaining white supremacy. We can never forget that white women began to assert their need for freedom after civil rights, just at the point when racial discrimination was ending and black people, especially black males, might have attained equality in the workforce with white men. Reformist feminist thinking focusing primarily on equality with men in the workforce overshadowed the original radical foundations of contemporary feminism which called for reform as well as overall restructuring of society so that our nation would be fundamentally anti-sexist. Most women, especially privileged white women, ceased even to consider revolutionary feminist visions, once they began to gain economic power within the existing social structure. Ironically, revFEMINIST POLITICS 5 olutionary feminist thinking was most accepted and embraced in academic circles. In those circles the production of revolutionary feminist theory progressed, but more often than not that theory was not made available to the public. It became and remains a privileged discourse available to those among us who are highly literate, welleducated, and usually materially privileged. Works like Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center that offer a liberatory vision of feminist transformation never receive mainstream attention. Masses of people have not heard of this book. They have not rejected its message; they do not know what the message is. While it was in the interest of mainstream white supremacist capitalist patriarchy to suppress visionary feminist thinking which was not anti-male or concerned with getting women the right to be like men, reformist feminists were also eager to silence these forces. Reformist feminism became their route to class mobility. They could break free of male domination in the workforce and be more self-determining in their lifestyles. While sexism did not end, they could maximize their freedom within the existing system. And they could count on there being a lower class of exploited subordinated women to do the dirty work they were refusing to do. By accepting and indeed colluding with the subordination of working-class and poor women, they not only ally themselves with the existing patriarchy and its concomitant sexism, they give themselves the right to lead a double life, one where they are the equals of men in the workforce and at home when they want to be. If they choose lesbianism they have the privilege of being equals with men in the workforce while using class power to create domestic lifestyles where they can choose to have little or no contact with men. Lifestyle feminism ushered in the notion that there could be as many versions of feminism as there were women. Suddenly the politics was being slowly removed from feminism. And the assumption pre-
6 FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY vailed that no matter what a woman's politics,be she conservative 2 or liberal,she too could fit feminism into her existing lifestyle.Obvi- ously this way of thinking has made feminism more acceptable be- cause its underlying assumption is that women can be feminists without fundamentally challenging and changing themselves or the culture.For example,let's take the issue of abortion.If feminism is a movement to end sexist oppression,and depriving females of repro- CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING ductive rights is a form of sexist oppression,then one cannot be anti-choice and be feminist.A woman can insist she would never A Constant Change of Heart choose to have an abortion while affirming her support of the right of women to choose and still be an advocate of feminist politics.She Feminists are made,not born.One does not become an advocate of cannot be anti-abortion and an advocate of feminism.Concurrently feminist politics simply by having the privilege of having been born there can be no such thing as "power feminism"if the vision of female.Like all political positions one becomes a believer in feminist power evoked is power gained through the exploitation and oppres- politics through choice and action.When women first organized in sion of others. groups to talk together about the issue of sexism and male domina- Feminist politics is losing momentum because feminist move- tion,they were clear that females were as socialized to believe sexist ment has lost clear definitions.We have those definitions.Let's re- thinking and values as males,the difference being simply that males claim them.Let's share them.Let's start over.Let's have T-shirts and benefited from sexism more than females and were as a conse- bumper stickers and postcards and hip-hop music,television and ra- quence less likely to want to surrender patriarchal privilege.Before dio commercials,ads everywhere and billboards,and all manner of women could change patriarchy we had to change ourselves;we had printed material that tells the world about feminism.We can share the to raise our consciousness. simple yet powerful message that feminism is a movement to end sex- Revolutionary feminist consciousness-raising emphasized the ist oppression.Let's start there.Let the movement begin again. importance of learning about patriarchy as a system of domination, how it became institutionalized and how it is perpetuated and main- tained.Understanding the way male domination and sexism was ex- pressed in everyday life created awareness in women of the ways we were victimized,exploited,and,in worse case scenarios,oppressed. Early on in contemporary feminist movement,consciousness-raising groups often became settings where women simply unleashed pent- up hostility and rage about being victimized,with little or no focus on strategies of intervention and transformation.On a basic level
6 FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY vailed that no matter what a woman's politics, be she conservative or liberal, she too could fit feminism into her existing lifestyle. Obviously this way of thinking has made feminism more acceptable because its underlying assumption is that women can be feminists without fundamentally challenging and changing themselves or the culture. For example, let's take the issue of abortion. If feminism is a movement to end sexist oppression, and depriving females of reproductive rights is a form of sexist oppression, then one cannot be anti-choice and be feminist. A woman can insist she would never choose to have an abortion while affirming her support of the right of women to choose and still be an advocate of feminist politics. She cannot be anti-abortion and an advocate of feminism. Concurrently there can be no such thing as "power feminism" if the vision of power evoked is power gained through the exploitation and oppression of others. Feminist politics is losing momentum because feminist movement has lost clear definitions. We have those definitions. Let's reclaim them. Let's share them. Let's start over. Let's have T-shirts and bumper stickers and postcards and hip-hop music, television and radio commercials, ads everywhere and billboards, and all manner of printed material that tells the world about feminism. We can share the simple yet powerful message that feminism is a movement to end sexist oppression. Let's start there. Let the movement begin again. 2 CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING A Constant Change of Heart Feminists are made, not born. One does not become an advocate of feminist politics simply by having the privilege of having been born female. Like all political positions one becomes a believer in feminist politics through choice and action. When women first organized in groups to talk together about the issue of sexism and male domination, they were clear that females were as socialized to believe sexist thinking and values as males, the difference being simply that males benefited from sexism more than females and were as a consequence less likely to want to surrender patriarchal privilege. Before women could change patriarchy we had to change ourselves; we had to raise our consciousness. Revolutionary feminist consciousness-raising emphasized the importance of learning about patriarchy as a system of domination, how it became institutionalized and how it is perpetuated and maintained. Understanding the way male domination and sexism was expressed in everyday life created awareness in women of the ways we were victimized, exploited, and, in worse case scenarios, oppressed. Early on in contemporary feminist movement, consciousness-raising groups often became settings where women simply unleashed pentup hostility and rage about being victimized, with little or no focus on strategies of intervention and transformation. On a basic level 7
8 FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING 9 many hurt and exploited women used the consciousness-raising in printed matter so as to reach a wider audience,groups dismantled. group therapeutically.It was the site where they uncovered and The creation of women's studies as an academic discipline provided openly revealed the depths of their intimate wounds.This confes- another setting where women could be informed about feminist sional aspect served as a healing ritual.Through consciousness- thinking and feminist theory.Many of the women who spearheaded raising women gained the strength to challenge patriarchal forces at the introduction of women's studies classes into colleges and uni- work and at home. versities had been radical activists in civil rights struggles,gay rights, Importantly though,the foundation of this work began with and early feminist movement.Many of them did not have doctor- women examining sexist thinking and creating strategies where we ates,which meant that they entered academic institutions receiving would change our attitudes and belief via a conversion to feminist lower pay and working longer hours than their colleagues in other thinking and a commitment to feminist politics.Fundamentally,the disciplines.By the time younger graduate students joined the effort consciousness-raising(CR)group was a site for conversion.To to legitimize feminist scholarship in the academy we knew that it build a mass-based feminist movement women needed to organize. was important to gain higher degrees.Most of us saw our commit- The consciousness-raising session,which usually took place in ment to women's studies as political action;we were prepared to someone's home (rather than public space that had to be rented or sacrifice in order to create an academic base for feminist movement. donated),was the meeting place.It was the place where seasoned By the late'70s women's studies was on its way to becoming feminist thinkers and activists could recruit new converts. an accepted academic discipline.This triumph overshadowed the Importantly,communication and dialogue was a central agenda fact that many of the women who had paved the way for the at the consciousness-raising sessions.In many groups a policy was institutionalization of women's studies were fired because they had in place which honored everyone's voice.Women took turns speak- master's degrees and not doctorates.While some of us returned to ing to make sure everyone would be heard.This attempt to create a graduate school to get PhDs,some of the best and brightest among non-hierarchal model for discussion positively gave every woman a us did not because they were utterly disillusioned with the university chance to speak but often did not create a context for engaged dia- and burnt out from overwork as well as disappointed and enraged logue.However,in most instances discussion and debate occurted, that the radical politics undergirding women's studies was being re- usually after everyone had spoken at least once.Argumentative dis- placed by liberal reformism.Before too long the women's studies cussion was common in CR groups as it was the way we sought to classroom had replaced the free-for-all consciousness-raising group. clarify our collective understanding of the nature of male domina- Whereas women from various backgrounds,those who worked tion.Only through discussion and disagreement could we begin to solely as housewives or in service jobs,and big-time professional find a realistic standpoint on gender exploitation and oppression. women,could be found in diverse consciousness-raising groups,the As feminist thinking,which emerged first in the context of academy was and remains a site of class privilege.Privileged white small groups where individuals often knew each other(they may middle-class women who were a numeric majority though not nec- have worked together and/or were friends),began to be theorized essarily the radical leaders of contemporary feminist movement of-
8 FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY many hurt and exploited women used the consciousness-raising group therapeutically. It was the site where they uncovered and openly revealed the depths of their intimate wounds. This confessional aspect served as a healing ritual. Through consciousnessraising women gained the strength to challenge patriarchal forces at work and at home. Importantly though, the foundation of this work began with women examining sexist thinking and creating strategies where we would change our attitudes and belief via a conversion to feminist thinking and a commitment to feminist politics. Fundamentally, the consciousness-raising (CR) group was a site for conversion. To build a mass-based feminist movement women needed to organize. The consciousness-raising session, which usually took place in someone's home (rather than public space that had to be rented or donated), was the meeting place. It was the place where seasoned feminist thinkers and activists could recruit new converts. Importantly, communication and dialogue was a central agenda at the consciousness-raising sessions. In many groups a policy was in place which honored everyone's voice. Women took turns speaking to make sure everyone would be heard. This attempt to create a non-hierarchal model for discussion positively gave every woman a chance to speak but often did not create a context for engaged dialogue. However, in most instances discussion and debate occurred, usually after everyone had spoken at least once. Argumentative discussion was common in CR groups as it was the way we sought to clarify our collective understanding of the nature of male domination. Only through discussion and disagreement could we begin to find a realistic standpoint on gender exploitation and oppression. As feminist thinking, which emerged first in the context of small groups where individuals often knew each other (they may have worked together and/ or were friends), began to be theorized CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING 9 in printed matter so as to reach a wider audience, groups dismantled. The creation of women's studies as an academic discipline provided another setting where women could be informed about feminist thinking and feminist theory. Many of the women who spearheaded the introduction of women's studies classes into colleges and universities had been radical activists in civil rights struggles, gay rights, and early feminist movement. Many of them did not have doctorates, which meant that they entered academic institutions receiving lower pay and working longer hours than their colleagues in other disciplines. By the time younger graduate students joined the effort to legitimize feminist scholarship in the academy we knew that it was important to gain higher degrees. Most of us saw our commitment to women's studies as political action; we were prepared to sacrifice in order to create an academic base for feminist movement. By the late '70s women's studies was on its way to becoming an accepted academic discipline. This triumph overshadowed the fact that many of the women who had paved the way for the institutionalization of women's studies were fired because they had master's degrees and not doctorates. While some of us returned to graduate school to get PhDs, some of the best and brightest among us did not because they were utterly disillusioned with the university and burnt out from overwork as well as disappointed and enraged that the radical politics undergirding women's studies was being replaced by liberal reformism. Before too long the women's studies classroom had replaced the free-for-all consciousness-raising group. Whereas women from various backgrounds, those who worked solely as housewives or in service jobs, and big-time professional women, could be found in diverse consciousness-raising groups, the academy was and remains a site of class privilege. Privileged white middle-class women who were a numeric majority though not necessarily the radical leaders of contemporary feminist movement of-
10 FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING 11 ten gained prominence because they were the group mass media onc a "feminist."Without confronting internalized sexism women focused on as representatives of the struggle.Women with revolu- who picked up the feminist banner often betrayed the cause in their tionary feminist consciousness,many of them lesbian and from interactions with other women. working-class backgrounds,often lost visibility as the movement re- By the early '80s the evocation of a politicized sisterhood,so ceived mainstream attention.Their displacement became complete crucial at the onset of the feminist movement,lost meaning as the once women's studies became entrenched in colleges and universi- terrain of radical feminist politics was overshadowed by a lifestyle- ties which are conservative corporate structures.Once the women's based feminism which suggested any woman could be a feminist no studies classroom replaced the consciousness-raising group as the matter what her political beliefs.Needless to say such thinking has primary site for the transmission of feminist thinking and strategies undermined feminist theory and practice,feminist politics.When for social change the movement lost its mass-based potential. feminist movement renews itself,reinforcing again and again the Suddenly more and more women began to either call them- strategies that will enable a mass movement to end sexism and sexist selves "feminists"or use the rhetoric of gender discrimination to exploitation and oppression for everyone,consciousness-raising change their economic status.The institutionalization of feminist will once again attain its original importance.Effectively imitating studies created a body of jobs both in the world of the academy and the model of AA meetings,feminist consciousness-raising groups in the world of publishing.These career-based changes led to forms will take place in communities,offering the message of feminist of career opportunism wherein women who had never been politi- thinking to everyone irrespective of class,race,or gender.While cally committed to mass-based feminist struggle adopted the stance specific groups based on shared identities might emerge,at the end and jargon of feminism when it enhanced their class mobility.The of every month individuals would be in mixed groups. dismantling of consciousness-raising groups all but erased the notion Feminist consciousness-raising for males is as essential to revo- that one had to learn about feminism and make an informed choice lutionary movement as female groups.Had there been an emphasis about embracing feminist politics to become a feminist advocate. on groups for males that taught boys and men about what sexism is Without the consciousness-raising group as a site where women and how it can be transformed,it would have been impossible for confronted their own sexism towards other women,the direction of mass media to portray the movement as anti-male.It would also feminist movement could shift to a focus on equality in the work- have preempted the formation of an anti-feminist men's movement. force and confronting male domination.With heightened focus on Often men's groups were formed in the wake of contemporary fem- the construction of woman as a"victim"of gender equality deserv- inism that in no way addressed the issues of sexism and male domi- ing of reparations(whether through changes in discriminatory laws nation.Like the lifestyle-based feminism aimed at women these or affirmative action policies)the idea that women needed to first groups often became therapeutic settings for men to confront their confront their internalized sexism as part of becoming feminist lost wounds without a critique of patriarchy or a platform of resistance currency.Females of all ages acted as though concern for or rage at to male domination.Future feminist movement will not make this male domination or gender equality was all that was needed to make mistake.Males of all ages need settings where their resistance to sex-
10 FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY ten gained prominence because they were the group mass media focused on as representatives of the struggle. Women with revolutionary feminist consciousness, many of them lesbian and from working-class backgrounds, often lost visibility as the movement received mainstream attention. Their displacement became complete once women's studies became entrenched in colleges and universities which are conservative corporate structures. Once the women's studies classroom replaced the consciousness-raising group as the primary site for the transmission of feminist thinking and strategies for social change the movement lost its mass-based potential. Suddenly more and more women began to either call themselves "feminists" or use the rhetoric of gender discrimination to change their economic status. The institutionalization of feminist studies created a body of jobs both in the world of the academy and in the world of publishing. These career-based changes led to forms of career opportunism wherein women who had never been politically committed to mass-based feminist struggle adopted the stance and jargon of feminism when it enhanced their class mobility. The dismantling of consciousness-raising groups all but erased the notion that one had to learn about feminism and make an informed choice about embracing feminist politics to become a feminist advocate. Without the consciousness-raising group as a site where women confronted their own sexism towards other women, the direction of feminist movement could shift to a focus on equality in the workforce and confronting male domination. With heightened focus on the construction of woman as a "victim" of gender equality deserving of reparations (whether through changes in discriminatory laws or affirmative action policies) the idea that women needed to first confront their internalized sexism as part of becoming feminist lost currency. Females of all ages acted as though concern for or rage at male domination or gender equality was all that was needed to make CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING 11 one a "feminist." Without confronting internalized sexism women who picked up the feminist banner often betrayed the cause in their interactions with other women. By the early '80s the evocation of a politicized sisterhood, so crucial at the onset of the feminist movement, lost meaning as the terrain of radical feminist politics was overshadowed by a lifestylebased feminism which suggested any woman could be a feminist no matter what her political beliefs. Needless to say such thinking has undermined feminist theory and practice, feminist politics. When feminist movement renews itself, reinforcing again and again the strategies that will enable a mass movement to end sexism and sexist exploitation and oppression for everyone, consciousness-raising will once again attain its original importance. Effectively imitating the model of AA meetings, feminist consciousness-raising groups will take place in communities, offering the message of feminist thinking to everyone irrespective of class, race, or gender. While specific groups based on shared identities might emerge, at the end of every month individuals would be in mixed groups. Feminist consciousness-raising for males is as essential to revolutionary movement as female groups. Had there been an emphasis on groups for males that taught boys and men about what sexism is and how it can be transformed, it would have been impossible for mass media to portray the movement as anti-male. It would also have preempted the formation of an anti-feminist men's movement. Often men's groups were formed in the wake of contemporary feminism that in no way addressed the issues of sexism and male domination. Like the lifestyle-based feminism aimed at women these groups often became therapeutic settings for men to confront their wounds without a critique of patriarchy or a platform of resistance to male domination. Future feminist movement will not make this mistake. Males of all ages need settings where their resistance to sex-
