HEll:
-- > if you redefine the definition,
> then yes, I am a feminist, but with it's current interpretation, I would
> never use that label.
The current definition (in the dictionaries I've seen, anyway) is that
femininism is about equality between the sexes -- yes, equality of
opportunity -- no one suggests the two sexes are the same -- but you're
right, everyone you talk to thinks it means putting men down and lifting
women up at men's expense. It's too bad, but maybe that sort of
extremism was necessary to get the ball rolling back in the sixties. Not
that there still isn't a long way to go, but we need men's help with
this -- it benefits them as well.
My guess is that Joni was belittled even as a musician because she was
female (what, can't play because you're a girl?) and so she prefers to
identify with males, who had the power and acceptance at that time,
generally, in the music biz. Lots of women have done that -- distance
themselves from their own sex in order to ally with the more powerful
one.
I am sure that Joni's "I am not a feminist," which I heard her say at
the Edmonton Folk Fest (and was sorely disappointed, felt betrayed), is
only the tip of the subject for her and does not adequately explain all
that she thinks about it. Because I really doubt she believes women
should not have equal rights.
Kate
