Why do feminists allow their fanatisicm to hurt their cause so severley? Don't they realize this?

Question

As a PR director of a non-profit organization i always look at the image of different social justice causes. The feminist have allowed themselves to carry the worst image of all. I don't think this is because they advocate some highly unpopular ideas. I think it is because they just don't know how to correctly go about getting what they want. So many of their most visible efforts do more to hurt their cause than help it in anyway. Am I the only one who sees this? Or maybe I am somehow mistaken in my observations? Let me know what you think...

An example of what I mean is treating acts of chivalry with disdain, like opening a door for a women, carrying groceries etc.

Another example is the feminizing of the English language, why should the word women be a threat or why should I need to say he or she, this just upsets me and makes me resentful of their cause, and I fail to see what any one gains from this but what we are losing seems apparent

Answer 1

I have noticed this too, at my University campus a small troupe of highly vocal femi-nazis partolled the quad. This small group of individuals did more to reverse the progress of women in America than anything else I can think of. They jeopardize the respect women have battled so hard to gain over the past 100 years. These femi-nazis make me reconsider womens suffrage.

Answer 2

Having done anthropological survey work for a GLBT advocacy group that involved exploring similar problems, I know what you're talking about and I do agree there is an interesting problem of perception for feminism. However, I'd like to point out that everyone seems to think they know what feminism is and yet all those definitions are different. From those definitions, they have formed opinions. Most Westerners would say they know what feminism is and have an opinion about it which includes defining themselves as for, against, or totally nonchalant about the whole thing. It is very difficult to wage a campaign when up against that. I've further noticed that people who try to explain feminism, even from a position of authority such as as an official of a feminist organization come up against cognitive dissonance, stubbornness, and a belief that feminism cannot change. When those attitudes come together, such people are often called liars, propagandists, etc and the message gets lost. It would be a tough position to be in, having to "correct" the image of feminism taking all this into account.

Answer 3

Its amazing that more women don't seem to care about this. There have been some incredibly vocal feminist bigots over the years, yet they are often seen by other feminists as heroes. When you look at politics (or should I say the overt political parties) even the extreme parties are careful these days to distance themselves from the 'lunatic fringe' because they know they are vote-losers. Personally I don't care how loud the loonies shout - in fact the louder the better. I reckon feminism's days are numbered and it will the cranks who will be responsible for bringing the whole circus crashing down. Why do other feminists not seem to care? Maybe they think that as long as a woman has her heart in the right place and is brave enough to speak out, then going a bit OTT is excusable, especially as men have had it coming for their centuries of cruelty against women. Plus of course we can take it - or are we not men?

Edit
Just in case anyone doubts that very prominent feminists can make the most inanely sexist statements: "Men are the enemies of women. ...Without men the world would be a better place: softer, kinder, more loving; calmer, quieter, more humane." --Ann Oakley, sociologist & author. Taking It Like a Woman, "A French Letter" (1984).

Answer 4

properly this is between the concern that's easily f***d up interior the worldwide. no longer somewhat feminists yet ists customarily. Sexists, racists, feminists, ect... What we want are humanists or see guy/women persons(form) as one vast photograph rather of little sects. as a manner to respond to your question confident feminists injury the reason and the worldwide, via putting themselves in front of all the different subject concerns interior the worldwide. Now dont get me incorrect if a guy hits a women persons or says she cant paintings to hell with him, yet known women persons ought to have the capacity to make there own existence alternatives without tips from everybody.

Answer 5

Well I have seen equally bad representation of causes like pro life/ pro choice rallies, and religious organizations, political groups, etc,
I think all groups have their fanatics and it reflects badly on the whole group. it looks like you are seeing feminism through your own personal lens and only a small noisy sample at that.
I think that a small number of feminist make the rest look bad.
but that is true of any large group if you look hard enough.
I don't condone the man hating image of feminism. it is an ugly image.


Edit: thank you for clarifying and yes it does hurt the cause. I can definitly agree with that.

Answer 6

You seem to be thinking broadly about feminism. If you give a couple of specific examples, I think it would be easier for me to see where you're coming from, or whether I agree with you.

Feminism has several types. Straight men can be feminists, for example. In my own experience, feminism can be a very academic, historically informed perspective on social justice. But I also studied at a top school. It's not necessarily some flaming, ultra-liberal, nutty movement where I come from.

I admit there are extremists out there, but to me it looks like there are only a vocal few. But like I said, I might see things more your way if I knew what examples led you to it.

Answer 7

Sadly, I have seen it too. This is actually one of the reasons I have stopped using the term in relation to myself.

It's fairly sad that a call for equality has become a race for reverse superiority.

IMO, the best way for us women to demonstrate that we're on par with men is to simply show the world what we're capable of. I don't need to yell about it, or wear a special t-shirt, or protest anywhere. The men in my life don't consider me a lower-class citizen just because I'm a woman, and I believe that this is because I have shown them that I'm not.

Answer 8

Some feminists reak of man-hate don't they? How are they suppose to get their point across that way? Ya can catch more flies with honey.

Answer 9

Yes, you are mistaken in your observations.
Feminists are wonderful people doing a wonderful work.

Answer 10

the problem surely is that the field is so uneven, the fight so uphill that it breeds frustration among all who call themselves feminist. our society is so deeply engrained with the idea that men are superior it is almost invisible to the casual observer - nietzsche points out that the most dangerous idols are the ones we are so familiar with we don't even question any more.