Just about anything that can be studied can be considered elitist, since many people in the US and elsewhere don't have the ability, time or energy to study. On the other hand, you don't have to graduate from high school, but you can still study, teach all sorts of different skills and topics, and discuss simple to complex ideas. I don't value someone's opinion because of their educational level or age, I value how they express themselves, and yes, I do value life experiences, whether they were read about or experienced.
I see feminism as very practical, since I've spent a good deal of my life acting on my beliefs, not just discussing ideas or theories or research. I like doing the later, but I also need to act on what I believe. Anyone can talk to their local politicians, volunteer at a community event, call people from a phone bank, support people who have been abused, and most people can write a simple letter to their representative or editor. I believe feminism is activism, made up of people acting on their personal beliefs, whether it's expressing their point of view at work in an assertive way or by being an activist in their community--it's a lot more than just theories.
I've heard the argument for years that feminism is too elitist; but while I was in the field I worked with people in unions, picket lines, anti-Klan marches, anti-rape rallies, abortion rights protests, gay rights events, religious freedom events, and anti-violence workshops and have been around nearly every type of American you can think of, of all colors, political backgrounds, sexual orientations and religious beliefs. There is an amazing array of American people who care about tolerance, diversity, and human rights, and they act on it every day. I've been so impressed by the religious leaders in my community who have taken such risks for people they have absolutely nothing in common with, other than their shared beliefs that we all deserve a life free of intolerance and cruelty.
2007-11-16 12:20:58
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answer #1
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answered by edith clarke 7
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Yes...some of it is. It is supposed to be based in experience but some (Judith Butler, for one) carry arguments so far into abstraction. You have to start from somewhere.
That said...it's probably why I gravitated to the more creative feminist writers like Gloria Anzaldua.
I wouldn't say it is intellectually out of reach. I'd say some writings are truly just dull. Or they try to "problematize" everything to such an extent that you think...what is the point?
Another level...in one feminist theory class I had taken, it just felt like I was required to simply regurgitate everything that I was given to read. Not form my own opinion. Needless to say it was not a favorite of mine.
Bottom line: if you want to change the world you can't just sit in a classroom and do it. You have to go out into the world. Like I said, some theory just travels too far into abstraction. Especially theories about theories...snooze! To quote Elvis: A little less conversation...a little more action.
However...the rest of the feminist (women's studies) classes I have taken were great.
EDIT: There are so many great feminist writers that aren't mainstream...Womanists, Third World feminists, Latina feminists. These feminisms are a reaction to white privileged feminism.
2007-11-16 15:45:48
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answer #2
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answered by *A Few Quarts Low* 6
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Short answer is no.
The basic tenets of feminism are so straightforward that they can be looked up in any good modern dictionary, and those dictionaries agree with each other on the definition.
It isn't hard to understand that feminism advocates equal rights for women. Even very little children understand what "playing fairly" means. If a person has reached that stage of emotional and intellectual development, then they can understand the most important tenet of feminism.
There are a lot of theories, a lot of ideas, a great deal of academic discourse.
Like physics, you can start off with a few very simple laws or theories, and use them in incredibly complex situations which are inaccessible to almost everyone, yet what those ideas BUILD can be relevant to everyone.
I was always taught that when I don't understand something, I should go back to first principles and cite 3 examples of how they apply in the real world. It has proven to be a very valuable tool for extracting truths from complexity. It also tends to make academics quail. If they can't give you 3 examples, they are usually just full of (fill in blank).
Ernest Rutherford said, in a very non politically correct era "Good Physics should be understandable to the average barmaid".
People who cannot explain things clearly often do not understand the ideas themselves and even the most complex ideas generally follow simple steps.
2007-11-16 09:54:27
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answer #3
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answered by Twilight 6
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If you are talking about the ability to understand concept then here is my answer.
Basic math is out of reach for most people. So yes, just about anything else is also out of reach. Like how to use a debit card, how to drive correctly, or how to make plans and keep them.
From what I've seen, most people get stuck at a first or second grade level of comprehension. Feminism is something around three and a half. Of course, mix in the fact that it's packed with a bunch of twisted nonsense in this day and age and you've got some kind of rubik's cube, simon(ette) says, and ouija board hybrid.
Sure, sure, people can have spurts of academic success but that's usually due to a few study sessions and cramming before the test. Can they memorize material? Yes, usually. Do they really understand any of it? For the most part, no.
2007-11-16 08:07:58
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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I'm new to feminism and I started getting into it from summer. I have read history and I'm still reading history and it is something that interests me very much.
I am not familiar with critical feminist theory or academic Women's Studies in general though. I will read and try to learn here too.
And I have not done anything to fight for women's rights.
So I think that I am a light weight.
I think Apple's question of is feminism elitist has a point because most women in the world are not as fortunate as me and are not in any position to be heavy weight feminists. :(
Edit: GS thanx so much for the encouragement. But do you think I would just help advocate for women? :)
Edit#2: Apple it sucks doesn't it? :(
2007-11-16 08:17:45
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answer #5
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answered by ♥ ~Sigy the Arctic Kitty~♥ 7
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Actually, most feminist theory is academic preposterism, though that has no bearing whatsoever on the legitimacy of the political and ethical demands of feminists. It would be far better if Women's Studies focused less on pseudo-intellectual charlatans are more on teaching young women how to examine real questions of public policy and ethics from the standpoint of their specific effects on women - a task that Poltical Science and especially Economics courses too often neglect. The problem isn't density or elitism, it's the complete lack of logical rigor or clarity in embracing things like Post-Structuralism rather than concrete issues.
EDIT
Sigy, don't worry. If you really want to be an effective advocate for women, the pursue your professional goals but don't hesitate to help the young women coming up behind you. Keep abreast of the issues and vote. Volunteer and donate to issues that matter to you.
All that being a "heavyweight" feminist will do is allow you to be somewhat more persuasive if you want to impress someone that you must be right because they don't understand you. Just learn to pepper your language with a few key phrases like "hegemonic", "binary opposition", "differentiating system", and "metanarrative", and most people won't even know the difference!
2007-11-16 07:43:21
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answer #6
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answered by Gnu Diddy! 5
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I asked a similar question a couple of days ago, but noted that Camille Paglia says the same thing....feminism is for the upper middle class white girl attending an elite college or university. Don't have the link with me at the moment, but check out some of the quotes Paglia has made on the subject. And yes, I do agree, feminism is out of touch with the common everyday person at times....male or female.
2007-11-16 08:59:21
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answer #7
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answered by MaryCheneysAccessory 6
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Feminism was started by wealthy women who could afford to ruffle a few feathers back at the turn of the century.
I think with third wave, post modernism a lot of this priveledge is being reexamined to pave way for more equitable positions. There are branches of feminism such as Womanism, Xicanisma, Islamic, etc. They are all looking to change the lives of women for the better.
2007-11-16 09:40:20
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answer #8
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answered by Deirdre O 7
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If you question anything they stand for, for instance voting for Hillary Clinton, they go ballistic. It s there narrative or the highway. I m talking about feminists that believe women are all more moral and kinder, which is not true. Very smarmy and condescending.
2016-10-15 00:04:26
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answer #9
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answered by Rachel L 3
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I think that some people who know the feminist theory just reject it because they don't agree with it. I don't think that it is necessarily out of reach for everyone, but I do think that a lot of people just reject the idea because they don't agree with it.
2007-11-16 07:22:43
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answer #10
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answered by Kate 2
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