Instead of the word "Feminist": What would happen if we choose a less offensive word?

Question

Why not choose a less offensive word? "A natural response is to change the word feminist to a word with fewer stigmas attached. But inevitably the same thing will happen to that magical word. Part of the radical connotation of feminism is not due to the word, but to the action. The act of a woman standing up for herself is radical, whether she calls herself a feminist or not." - Paula Kamen, feminist

What would happen if we choose a less offensive word, to replace feminist? Do you agree with Paula Kamen's quote? Why or Why not?

Answer 1

"A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet."

When it comes to feminism, you can change the word, but the ideas behind it remain- and as long as there are people who object to those ideas, there will be the potential for a stigma to be created. It's inevitable.

And, women have issues that are unique to women. I see nothing wrong with women banding together to address issues that are unique to them. We don't look at animal rights activists and question why they don't address human rights. We don't ask gay marriage activists why they don't fight for heterosexual marriages. Women have issues that are best addressed by women, because we are women. We should not be afraid to let our collective voice be heard. We should not allow ourselves to be bullied into silence. If feminists want to take on all humanistic issues, that's great. They just shouldn't be fooled into believing that if they don't address every human issue that they "shouldn't be heard at all."

Answer 2

Kamen assumes that feminists will be women...and feminism is the act of a woman standing up for herself.

My suggestion would be to eliminate the 'female' connotation out of the word and the movement. A move for true equality for ALL would see far more members and participants, and would less likely be subject to ignorant and stereotypical criticisms.

Answer 3

Okay just by making a new word for "feminist" is not going to stop the stigma. That word would carry the same stigma because people would know what you mean. I don't really understand why the word "feminist" is offensive to begin with. Yes it does has a stigma but we live in a world of stigmas. We are a society obsessed with labeling things so changing the word won't matter and could possibly make it worse. If you believe you are something and believe in what that something stands for the stigma attached to it should mean nothing to you.l

Answer 4

I agree with the quote bc that is how we have been accustomed to viewing this as; something radical. However I don't think it should be considered radical when someone stands up for what they believe in, it's just what it is. So my term for replacing feminist, activist etc would be Equalitist. There is nothing wrong, radical, shocking or "out of this world" with wanting to be treated fairly and equally.

Answer 5

I think the word "feminist" is often offensive because of the history of feminism being so radical.

I think that, today, a woman standing up for herself is much more commonly accepted than a man degrading her.

When a stupid man insults a smart man, and the smart man just smiles and says nothing, he is recognizing what either is or needs to be commonly accepted, and he can be happy about where he is. If you reread that last sentence, and substitute "woman" or "person" where you see "man", it still makes sense.

I don't think women need a new label. "Woman" or "person" will suffice.

Answer 6

Huh?

If you keep the concept, but change the word, of course that word will become offensive in the end.

People say things like you should change feminism to humanism because that more adequately reflects an egalitarian and morally correct concept which you would be expected to adhere to. If that happened, humanism would not become offensive.

Once again, people don't dislike feminism because they dislike equality. They dislike feminism because they do not believe it is about equality. The former is such a flimsy defense of feminism. It amazes me that feminists still parrot it out like it has some sort of legitimacy.

Answer 7

The word Feminist is not offensive. To some people, women who wish to be autonomous, independent, and free from the bonds of a male dominated world are offensive. I wish to happily offend as many people as possible.

Being offensive is not such a bad thing. If we aren't making somebody angry, then we are not living well.

Answer 8

i have often found feminist to be a bit of a misnomer, because i think the movement has evolved to the point where it is about gender roles, racial issues, and any other instance of inequality, rather than be strictly about women. that said, i don't think that a less offensive name would be effective for those who really hate the movement. they will still believe it to be about women having special privileges. but for those moderates who feel like calling themselves a feminist will cause people to judge them, a new name might make them more inclined to learn more.

but what will we call ourselves?

Answer 9

How about "gender equalist?" The word "feminist" has its roots in the words female and feminine, which leads many to believe that feminists believe that women are superior to men, when in fact they believe that women and men are equal. So I think "gender equalist" would be more appropriate. Also, men would be less reluctant to describe themselves as gender equalists than as feminists.

Answer 10

what are these days called 'economic recessions' were at one time called 'panics'. (there is a 1930s song called: 'save up your money, john d. rockefeller put the panic on'). people disliked 'panics', they started calling them 'slumps'. when people found out what a 'slump' was they turned to calling them 'crashes'. then they were called 'depressions'.

people always work out what you are talking about eventually, or at least some of them do. (even abraham lincoln noticed this).

if any group (not just feminists) has a clearsighted agenda which envisions change it will be unpopular with those who are perfectly comfortable with the status quo.

though it is good to see that there are pro-feminist trolls on here to balance out the anti-feminist ones.