This debate has been very interesting and I know it has been brought up
before but a lot of interesting points were made. Personally I tend to think
that it is the label that is problematic for Joni and the negative
stereotypes that can accompany it. I think the general public would think of
the man hater, but then within the feminist community you have the problems
Kakki mentioned of not being any "true" version of the label.
However, I think Mags touched on something much more important than the
label. Living it in your daily life. I did an interview this semester and
something this woman I interviewed really struck me. She said something
like, intellectually my colleagues are aware of these issues(of racism and
sexism) I would not say that my colleagues are racist, or sexist, etc. but
they do not have to live it out in their daily lives. They can be
intellectually aware of it but it still can come through in their
interactions even though they are not aware of it.
My point being actions speak louder than words.
Love Nikki
"Dream on but don't imagine they'll all come true...Vienna waits for you" ~
Billy Joel
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of mags
> Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 11:20 PM
> To: Kakki
> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: that damn joni (aka Joni and Feminism) NJC
>
>
> > Kakki wrote:
> >
> > <<There's the problem. Most people don't objectively think of
> a generic and
> > innocuous dictionary definition when they hear the term
> "feminist" or any
> > other label. They see it through their own interpretation and
> perspective.
> > I can just see Joni calling herself a feminist and then having
> the various
> > factions of feminism attacking her for not being a "true" feminist.>>
>
> This is precisely one of the points I was trying to assert
> earlier today in my
> post on feminism. Therein lies the problem, there are so many, many
> interpretations of the word feminist/feminism and gawd help us if
> we dont fit
> into this or that slot. ... liberal, radical, socialist marxist
> ball breaking
> man haters.... (no i do not hate men!!!) ....to name but a few....in my
> experience...Ive learned to no longer wave my "f" flag around
> because of all the
> shit I caught for it.
>
> I rarely say outright that I am a feminist because of all the
> connotations that
> immediately get conjured up. I dont want to live in a box however
> I do want to
> live into feminist politics in my day to day life and actions,
> in the way that
> I raise my daughter...in the way I love my sweetie..in the way
> that I wont stand
> for anything I feel is wrong. It is my hope and dream to continue
> to effect
> change, to work towards social justice for social change. It does
> matter. For
> me, personally, I dont need to lay claim to it....i just live
> it. I feel that
> my convictions are stronger than ever.
>
> oh I do hope this makes sense. With my early morning post, i was
> just trying to
> make a point or two. perhaps it got lost in the translation. And
> yea, it sure
> did feel good to finally be heard and seen in print.
>
> Mags.
>
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Marcel also made a good point that if she affiliates with a particular
> > label, then the politically active gatekeepers of that label
> would probably
> > pressure her to be appearing at their events and perhaps taking
> on certain
> > aspects of their agenda to which she may disagree. What a
> hassle, really,
> > and I don't think any of us would want to be put in such a position
> > ourselves. I've always maintained that she has done her part
> in advancing
> > the best and truest aspects of humanism, feminism and
> liberalism and I don't
> > think she owes anyone more.
> >
> > Kakki
>
> --
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _~O
> / /\_,
> ___/\
> /_
> -----------------------------------------
