Do terms hinder civil-rights movements?

Question

Many non-African-Americans supports civil rights. Yet, most of these advocates of civil rights would not feel comfortable in a group labeled "Black Panthers". Many African-Americans are friends with Caucasians, but they would not feel comfortable wearing a shirt which read "White Power". Obviously, these terms imply segregation and discrimination. They do not imply unity and equity.

In the same respect, most women would not wear a shirt which read "Masculinism". Not because they do not respect their fathers, brothers, husbands, or men in general. Simply because the term promotes segregation and discrimination, as well as contradicts the woman's own femininity. Why then do feminists not understand that men, (even those who are advocates of civil rights and equity) do not want to be labeled a "feminist" ? This term also promotes segregation and discrimination, as well as contradicts a man's masculinity.

Why can't civil rights activists, (including feminists) be labeled "Equalists" ?

I did not mean to single-out feminists. I only put that "twist" in the question because this version is placed in the "woman's studies". My apolgies for offending anyone. By my question, I hope you understand I'm against that. ;)

Answer 1

No. Terms are not the problem. People are the problem. Always have been & always will be. Why? Mainly due to the labeling of everything & everyone for purposes of funding & fitting in. A true activist is like a terrorist...elusive & effective...yet rarely ever understood due to their definitions coming from an alternative source dictionary, rather than your everyday Webster or Oxford sources. It is a way of life than defies labeling. So, no matter WHAT term a person uses, it is meaningless to a "cause" if the "leaders" do not understand HOW the "followers" have DEFINED the terms/words/issues at hand! In other words, if you do not live in or within the group of people that have been labeled & lumped into a labeled "group", you will never REALLY know how they feel or how they define the everyday words that are thrust upon them by the MEDIA & SOCIETY! I consider myself to be a HUMAN & that's enough of a label 4 me! Yet, in the 60's I called myself a Revolutionist & proudly served in the People's Liberation Army, which later changed it's name to the Women's Liberation Army, which later became the Liberation Movement & the Women's Liberation Movement. This is why I am against LABELS...they can divide a cause quicker than you can reprint the signs! In the end, what was achieved? Not much, really, because humans are predictable & easily manipulated by the sheer need to exist in their separate social circles & cultures. Greed got to Everyone in one form or another & the original reasons for standing up & supporting a "cause" were lost in the shuffle of daily living & just staying alive & avoiding prison for being in a "group" that got out of hand when one member decides what is best for everyone & crosses the line & someone dies because they misunderstood the words of a speaker in a public forum rally. Like I said, people are the problem, because we are all from different backgrounds & have separate agenda's. This time, when the riots break out, I know that I won't be doing anything except trying to stay alive & well & as far from the crowd as possible. I have NO desire to relive the past & I don't know why this generation thinks that the 60's were so "cool". Someone is not telling the whole truth about the so-called "Movement". It had NOTHING to do with Civil Rights until it got LABELED as such! BY the Media???

Answer 2

You're question is more complicated than it seems. First of all, of course terminology hinders -- and helps -- all movements. It helps by giving us a language with which to discuss issues. Without language, we wouldn't even be able to functionally "understand" our own thoughts. However, terminology also boxes us into corners and, as history has proven, genuine advances in social welfare are often coupled with a change in terminology.

The question you're really asking, however, seems to be "why focus on women, or blacks, or men, or whites, instead of everyone?" That is an excellent question and one that I don't think is a product of terminology, but rather the terminology is a product of our own deficiencies. I happen to be a female who is VERY interested in and concerned about gender inequalities. I will not use the term feminist, however, because I believe that the only way we will ever properly move beyond gender problems is to focus on both gender roles, not just females. Men are harmed by masculine roles, women are harmed by masculine roles, and the same for feminine roles.

To answer you question, then, i would say -- I think its great that you consider yourself an "equalist" and I believe that eventually our society will join you, but these things take time. Its hard to convince an entire demographic to stop focusing on themselves.

Answer 3

First, language ABOSOLUTELY hinders equality between sex, race, age, class, etc. As an anthropology and women's studies major, we discussed language to be one of the largest issues affecting civil rights.
I agree with the one response that it is people...however, people create language, and use language to their benefit. A less complex example of how different sexes use language would be this: a father stating "I am babysitting tonight." So, when a mother spends time with her chlidren and the father is at work, absent, etc., she does not call it babysitting. Instead, a father's "babysitting" role implies that it is the mother's duty to take care of the children while the father is exempt of this responsibility. While language affects us so very deeply, this babysitting example is perhaps one that many have heard or experienced.
Second, the term feminism hit big in the 60's. This term was derived because women found it imperative for their voice to be heard and to be seen outside of the world we see as such a dichotomy...black/white, old/young, male/female. They needed to make their movement significant and let it be know that a female's experience is in fact different, even if their inequity was often denied. (Also, there are many branches of feminism: black feminism, psychoanalytic feminism, lesbian, radical, liberal, marxist feminism...and these feminisms came about because each of their experiences are different from another explaining another barrier they had to face as a woman.) Because so many disagreed with the fact that women should be equal, that women should be working, that it's ok for women to put their children in childcare, that rape is wrong etc....the word "feminism" was stigmatized during this time period. Since the women's right's movement, this stigma has followed the word, making many hesitant to claim the title of a feminist. Many people are feminists, but do not admit to it simply because of the stigma that comes with the title.
That's all for now...

Answer 4

That is another label- I hate labels - Just do something kind and tell that person to pay it forward. Do this every day and kindness will Begin in and all around you daily walk. You are big thinker, You need to be a lobbyists- that would be a hard one. Right. I myself think as a green person with libertarian tones and free medical services in our school, and taxes should be used to develop jobs in free Enterprise system.

Answer 5

Well they can, why don't you start that by going around using the term. Since you coined it. I like it. I am one. Language evolves. This sounds good.

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

PROUD TO BE AN "EQUALIST!!"