mega thread Feminist Club!

[Jeric 46,852]

 

 

"I want men to take up this mantle. So their daughters, sisters and mothers can be free from prejudice, but also so that their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human too - reclaim those parts of themselves they abandoned and in doing so be a more true and complete version of themselves."

 

For ease of quoting I picked this piece though there were a few others that were equally as moving. That speech though ... my God that speech. I've always wondered if Stanton's speeches were that impassioned.

[Jennabun 1,579]

You all might enjoy this article! It's called "15 Issues Women Deal with Daily That Men Might Not Know About." If you're a woman, you'll identify a lot... if you're a man, you'll understand a little bit of the daily struggles women go through, which is important for empathy and such.

 

Some of these are just humorous (2, 3, etc), and some of them are actually pretty important and illustrate a lot of serious social issues women face (1, 9, etc).

 

I identify with all of these, but especially 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11.

[Shawn Parks 1,798]

I love the idea of the "He For She" campaign, because I am always worried that I will not be welcome as part of any feminist activities.  This is specifically asking men to get involved.  So I am excited to hear about it.  I am hoping that it will lead to opportunities for me to volunteer somewhere. 

[SCS 7,537]

This topic is being unlocked. However, if you post here keep in mind that this is not the topic for debating feminism. If you want to do that, that's fine, but keep it in the following topic: http://mlpforums.com/topic/103064-feminism-how-do-you-feel-about-it/

 

This topic is specifically for feminists (or feminist supporters) to discuss feminism in a positive way. If you don't fit that description, that's fine, but this topic isn't for you. Go to the debate topic.

 

Failure to abide by this will result in being banned from this topic permanently with the possibility of more serious action being taken in regard to your account and access to the site as a whole.

 

Remember to have respect for others and keep in mind how what you have to say might impact them. 

 

Thank you.

[Shawn Parks 1,798]

Maybe we could share links to causes that are pro women and girls.  There might be many that some of us have not yet heard about.

 

 

http://www.heforshe.org/

 

http://www.justyellfire.com/

 

http://www.damselindefense.net/

 

http://www.itonlytakesagirl.org/movie.html

 

http://www.nwlc.org/

 

http://www.gems-girls.org/

 

http://www.girleffect.org/

[mars 4,862]

This topic is being unlocked. However, if you post here keep in mind that this is not the topic for debating feminism. If you want to do that, that's fine, but keep it in the following topic: http://mlpforums.com/topic/103064-feminism-how-do-you-feel-about-it/

 

This topic is specifically for feminists (or feminist supporters) to discuss feminism in a positive way. If you don't fit that description, that's fine, but this topic isn't for you. Go to the debate topic.

 

Failure to abide by this will result in being banned from this topic permanently with the possibility of more serious action being taken in regard to your account and access to the site as a whole.

 

Remember to have respect for others and keep in mind how what you have to say might impact them. 

 

Thank you.

Very, very pleased to see this thread open again.

[Jennabun 1,579]

OMG THIS THREAD IS BACK; HAPPY DAY!!! *sigh* Feels good to be home... :3

 

I wanted to post this article: "Seeing Other Women As Allies, Rather Than Enemies: A How-To." I've always thought that one of the most simple and feminist-positive things to do, as a woman, is to befriend and support other women. Socially, women are taught to constantly criticize and hate on other women, which keeps us down. It's awesome to unlearn those harmful behaviors and start becoming an ally for women and girls.

 

Also, on another topic, can I just say that I freaking loved Jennifer Lawrence response to the hackers that leaked her nude photos? I love how she shifted the conversation to the deplorable actions of the people who invaded her privacy. People who benefit from the shame & embarrassment of women are just awful.

 

“It is not a scandal. It is a sex crime... It is a sexual violation. It’s disgusting.”

 

“The law needs to be changed, and we need to change. That’s why these websites are responsible. Just the fact that somebody can be sexually exploited and violated, and the first thought that crosses somebody’s mind is to make a profit from it. It’s so beyond me. I just can’t imagine being that detached from humanity. I can’t imagine being that thoughtless and careless and so empty inside.”

 

“Just because I’m a public figure, just because I’m an actress, does not mean that I asked for this... It does not mean that it comes with the territory. It’s my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting.”

 

“Anybody who looked at those pictures, you’re perpetuating a sexual offense. You should cower with shame. Even people who I know and love say, ‘Oh, yeah, I looked at the pictures.’ I don’t want to get mad, but at the same time I’m thinking, I didn’t tell you that you could look at my naked body.”

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Ah, it's great to be back. Let's keep it that way. <3

 

 

Also, on another topic, can I just say that I freaking loved Jennifer Lawrence response to the hackers that leaked her nude photos? I love how she shifted the conversation to the deplorable actions of the people who invaded her privacy. People who benefit from the shame & embarrassment of women are just awful.

 

“It is not a scandal. It is a sex crime... It is a sexual violation. It’s disgusting.”

 

“The law needs to be changed, and we need to change. That’s why these websites are responsible. Just the fact that somebody can be sexually exploited and violated, and the first thought that crosses somebody’s mind is to make a profit from it. It’s so beyond me. I just can’t imagine being that detached from humanity. I can’t imagine being that thoughtless and careless and so empty inside.”

 

“Just because I’m a public figure, just because I’m an actress, does not mean that I asked for this... It does not mean that it comes with the territory. It’s my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting.”

 

“Anybody who looked at those pictures, you’re perpetuating a sexual offense. You should cower with shame. Even people who I know and love say, ‘Oh, yeah, I looked at the pictures.’ I don’t want to get mad, but at the same time I’m thinking, I didn’t tell you that you could look at my naked body.”

 

 

The fact that this exists really disturbs me. I'm aware of similar things happening on some websites like Omegle where women (and girls) are lured into a false sense of security, and the video of their nude self is captured and either sold for profit or used as blackmail.

 

Sad and sickening.

[Odyssey 5,716]

I don't visit this thread all that often, but when I do, seeing all of the pro-feminism content puts a smile on my face. It's really great to see it again!

 

So lately I've been writing my Top 10 favourite MLP:FiM episodes, and while trying to write notes down, it got me thinking... what do you think is the most pro-feminist episode of MLP:FiM? There are a lot of episodes that encourage feminism, but I'd like to know your favourite. :3

[Nohbdy 4,108]

Hey, everyone. In the interest of encouraging positive, on-topic discussion, this thread is now called the Feminist Club, and it has been moved to the Lounge. We hope it reduces--or, better yet, eliminates--the possibility of arguments starting here.

 

Have fun!

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

I don't visit this thread all that often, but when I do, seeing all of the pro-feminism content puts a smile on my face. It's really great to see it again!

 

So lately I've been writing my Top 10 favourite MLP:FiM episodes, and while trying to write notes down, it got me thinking... what do you think is the most pro-feminist episode of MLP:FiM? There are a lot of episodes that encourage feminism, but I'd like to know your favourite. :3

I can't really think of any episodes honestly. Gender never seems to be an issue in Equestria, so there aren't really specific episodes that cover it. It's just treated as the natural state of things.

[Draxon 214]

Whooee, reading 23 pages of comments takes a long time.  Totally worth it.  There are some truly wonderful people in here.

 

First, I'd like to thank you all for such thoughtful commentary and for all of the insightful links to videos, articles, and the like.  It's good to see issues of inequality brought to light.

 

I do identify myself as a feminist, now, but it isn't something I've asked myself in the past.  I do know that I've always been frustrated with gender norms, even at an early age, and trying to conform to notions of masculinity has culminated in some of the worst experiences in my life.  At least my parents didn't care that I liked to play with my sisters' Barbies and My Little Pony figures.  Additionally, I never understood why women were so underrepresented in certain professions, or why certain sports either excluded women completely or segregated them into their own league.

 

A lot of progress has been made, but there's still a long way to go, so it's important that we support each other in challenging the issues which remain.

 

I'm surprised that throughout the discussion, nobody has mentioned the works of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki.  They have a legacy of producing films with strong, female characters without stooping to stereotypes or sexualization.  They also usually have a strong environmental message, to boot.  Here's a pretty good article I found related to Miyazaki's career: http://screenrobot.com/hayao-miyazaki-great-feminist-filmmaker-time/

My favorite anime is actually Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, one of Miyazaki's films, which features strong, female characters in the roles of both protagonist and antagonist.  They are both respected leaders of their people, but for completely different reasons.  One conquers territories through military might, while the other is willing to sacrifice anything for peace.  If you haven't seen it, you should definitely give it a chance.  (Patrick Stewart voice acts for one of the characters, too!)

 

As for feminism within MLP:FiM, I think that in their world, there isn't much of a divide between the genders, which is totally awesome.  But as far as episodes go, from what I've watched so far, I think "A Dog and Pony Show" is a good place to start.  Rarity successfully challenges the "damsel in distress" cliche and shows that she can use her femininity in a way which empowers her.  She doesn't need to adopt traditionally masculine characteristics in order to overcome her ordeal, nor does she need to rely on a hero to save her (sorry Spike).

[Jennabun 1,579]

I found this article and identified with a lot. It's titled "3 Bullsh*t Reasons Why Women Are Taught To Not Cut Our Hair Short (And Why You Can Do It Anyways)."

 

Hair is often talked about in feminist discussions. It's odd how something as random has hair, mere strands of dead cells that grow out of our skin, has so many implications for women. For many, the amount of hair you have in different places on your body is seen an indicator of femininity and beauty. So, when women choose to cut the hair on their head short, many people don't understand it. People literally get offended and upset sometimes, just because a woman with long hair cuts her hair short.

 

As a woman who has gone from really long hair to really short hair a few times during my life, I totally get this. I remember the first time I got a short hair cut (middle school), my mom cried. CRIED. OVER MY HAIR. I was just like ".............??????"  I also remember other people telling me, "Oh, but you looked so pretty with your long hair!" "You look like a boy with short hair" "BUT I LIKED YOUR LONG HAIR SO MUCH MORE!" etc. It's strange how offended people get when women don't conform to their personal aesthetic preferences.

 

Right now I have long hair just because idk, I feel like it. I'll probably cut it short again, and I know that when I do people are going to have the same annoying, insulting remarks to make about it....

 

Anyone else relate to this?

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

I found this article and identified with a lot. It's titled "3 Bullsh*t Reasons Why Women Are Taught To Not Cut Our Hair Short (And Why You Can Do It Anyways)."

 

Hair is often talked about in feminist discussions. It's odd how something as random has hair, mere strands of dead cells that grow out of our skin, has so many implications for women. For many, the amount of hair you have in different places on your body is seen an indicator of femininity and beauty. So, when women choose to cut the hair on their head short, many people don't understand it. People literally get offended and upset sometimes, just because a woman with long hair cuts her hair short.

 

As a woman who has gone from really long hair to really short hair a few times during my life, I totally get this. I remember the first time I got a short hair cut (middle school), my mom cried. CRIED. OVER MY HAIR. I was just like ".............??????"  I also remember other people telling me, "Oh, but you looked so pretty with your long hair!" "You look like a boy with short hair" "BUT I LIKED YOUR LONG HAIR SO MUCH MORE!" etc. It's strange how offended people get when women don't conform to their personal aesthetic preferences.

 

Right now I have long hair just because idk, I feel like it. I'll probably cut it short again, and I know that when I do people are going to have the same annoying, insulting remarks to make about it....

 

Anyone else relate to this?

 

I sort of can, though in a different way.

 

My mom can be totally obsessed with how her hair looks. It's not so much that she hates it when women cut their hair short; she has no problem with that. It's just that she is so sensitive about how she looks in public. That her hair being the least little bit frizzy is a disaster at times.

 

Along with that, she had sort hair at one point, but let it grow long. At one point she was really upset about how her hair looked.

 

I dunno; I guess my comes has more to do with how ones hair looks being a bit TOO important.

 

Of course, don't take that as me saying women shouldn't be proud of how their hair looks. I personally think a woman looks great with either style. I just wish some wouldn't take it to the point they worry about their looks and being ugly.

 

You can be proud of you hair; long or short, but don't let it ruin your mood or whatnot.

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

I found this article and identified with a lot. It's titled "3 Bullsh*t Reasons Why Women Are Taught To Not Cut Our Hair Short (And Why You Can Do It Anyways)."

 

Hair is often talked about in feminist discussions. It's odd how something as random has hair, mere strands of dead cells that grow out of our skin, has so many implications for women. For many, the amount of hair you have in different places on your body is seen an indicator of femininity and beauty. So, when women choose to cut the hair on their head short, many people don't understand it. People literally get offended and upset sometimes, just because a woman with long hair cuts her hair short.

 

As a woman who has gone from really long hair to really short hair a few times during my life, I totally get this. I remember the first time I got a short hair cut (middle school), my mom cried. CRIED. OVER MY HAIR. I was just like ".............??????" I also remember other people telling me, "Oh, but you looked so pretty with your long hair!" "You look like a boy with short hair" "BUT I LIKED YOUR LONG HAIR SO MUCH MORE!" etc. It's strange how offended people get when women don't conform to their personal aesthetic preferences.

 

Right now I have long hair just because idk, I feel like it. I'll probably cut it short again, and I know that when I do people are going to have the same annoying, insulting remarks to make about it....

 

Anyone else relate to this?

 

It's really that much of an issue? Weird.

 

I grew my hair pretty long in high school, and I got some grief about it for being a guy. So I guess I can relate. If a guy grows his hair long people assume you're a stoner or something.

 

EDIT: Now that I think about it, I've had jobs where I would be fired if I let my hair grow past a certain length and also had to deal with weird rules about facial hair. I remember when I worked at Publix you could grow a mustache, but anything below your upper lip was verboten.

 

Society takes hair very seriously.

Edited October 21, 2014 by Andaasonsan

[aoEAF2FBvC0MIo2Q 3,673]

Never let hatred drive your actions. No amount of "righteousness" can ever justify hatred. What's more, shaming people perpetuates an "us versus them" mentality which does the opposite of bringing people together to talk about a problem that concerns everyone.

[Shawn Parks 1,798]

This comic made me think of the Feminist Club:

 

 

 

[ShadowFoxz 342]

Never let hatred drive your actions. No amount of "righteousness" can ever justify hatred. What's more, shaming people perpetuates an "us versus them" mentality which does the opposite of bringing people together to talk about a problem that concerns everyone.

what are you trying to say? I can't seem to wrap myself around your message

[Miles 2,512]

I found this article and identified with a lot. It's titled "3 Bullsh*t Reasons Why Women Are Taught To Not Cut Our Hair Short (And Why You Can Do It Anyways)."

 

Hair is often talked about in feminist discussions. It's odd how something as random has hair, mere strands of dead cells that grow out of our skin, has so many implications for women. For many, the amount of hair you have in different places on your body is seen an indicator of femininity and beauty. So, when women choose to cut the hair on their head short, many people don't understand it. People literally get offended and upset sometimes, just because a woman with long hair cuts her hair short.

 

As a woman who has gone from really long hair to really short hair a few times during my life, I totally get this. I remember the first time I got a short hair cut (middle school), my mom cried. CRIED. OVER MY HAIR. I was just like ".............??????"  I also remember other people telling me, "Oh, but you looked so pretty with your long hair!" "You look like a boy with short hair" "BUT I LIKED YOUR LONG HAIR SO MUCH MORE!" etc. It's strange how offended people get when women don't conform to their personal aesthetic preferences.

 

Right now I have long hair just because idk, I feel like it. I'll probably cut it short again, and I know that when I do people are going to have the same annoying, insulting remarks to make about it....

 

Anyone else relate to this?

 

It's really that much of an issue? Weird.

 

I grew my hair pretty long in high school, and I got some grief about it for being a guy. So I guess I can relate. If a guy grows his hair long people assume you're a stoner or something.

 

EDIT: Now that I think about it, I've had jobs where I would be fired if I let my hair grow past a certain length and also had to deal with weird rules about facial hair. I remember when I worked at Publix you could grow a mustache, but anything below your upper lip was verboten.

 

Society takes hair very seriously.

 

EEYUP...

 

I can definitely relate my own experiences to this.  

 

Grade school/Junior High, and High School bullies are just sometimes relentless.  I never did understand what could drive a person to make fun of another's appearance in general, no matter what.  But many a times I've seen girls with short hair bullied, or at least, called names either to their faces or even behind their backs - and therefore pardon my French here, just bringing up one of the main words I would here in those situations - I would often hear guys call girls with short hair "dykes" (*shutter* I can't stand that word).  Now, I know that some gals may not be offended by that word itself... but myself, having been raised to talk to people with respect and a well-mannered mouth - it just sounds very mean.

 

As for the other side of this, I can personally relate similar to how Andaasonsan did.  When I was in junior high, I wanted to grow my hair out really long.  Which, is a pretty complicated thing to do when you have very curly hair, hahaha... But anyway, even with the curls and waves and whatnots, I grew my hair down to my shoulders, maybe even a bit longer.  I loved it, because it was just me trying something different.  Experimenting.  Well, I wasn't the only one who loved it; so did bullies - and them for all the wrong reasons.  I got teased, taunted... even pushed around... it was... *sigh* ... It really sucked.  The number one thing that ticked me off though... was when people would say that I had a mullet.  Uhhh, no.  I have/had curly hair, that was long all around, thank you.  Mullets are short up front, and long and straight in the back.  (And nothing against people who do have them, I just didn't have one, obviously).  Even at the lunch table when I was in 7th grade, an 8th grade would walk by me and say "mullet-man" just to taunt me.  So many emotions racked up inside me, but alas, I did nothing about it.

 

I'm so glad I'm out of junior high/high school, and in college.  I mean, of course I miss home.  But the schools, the kids, etc.?  Lol.  The only things I miss are band and drama/theatre.  Where at least then, I had people around me who were much more understanding.

 

~ Miles

[Jennabun 1,579]

 

 

When I was in junior high, I wanted to grow my hair out really long. Which, is a pretty complicated thing to do when you have very curly hair, hahaha... But anyway, even with the curls and waves and whatnots, I grew my hair down to my shoulders, maybe even a bit longer. I loved it, because it was just me trying something different. Experimenting. Well, I wasn't the only one who loved it; so did bullies - and them for all the wrong reasons. I got teased, taunted... even pushed around... it was... *sigh* ... It really sucked.

 

 

 

I grew my hair pretty long in high school, and I got some grief about it for being a guy. So I guess I can relate. If a guy grows his hair long people assume you're a stoner or something.

 

Yup -- this is yet another way guys can get screwed over by living in a misogynistic society. A guy having long hair (at least in Western socieity) is often interpreted to be worse than a guy with short hair because long hair is arbitrarily deemed as something feminine (and therefore less respectable). People tend to devalue men with feminine qualities, even when it's something as insignificant as hair. Men with long hair often get called a slew of insults... some insults attack their masculinity (calling them "girly," "gay," etc.), some attacking their cleanliess ("dirty hippie," "hobo"), some attacking their ethics ("stoner," "pedophile"). It seems like, just like women can't want short hair without it being such a huge controversy, men can't want long hair either.

 

It's so strange to me, how some people are so threatened by men and women who dare to express their gender outside of some subjectively-set, narrow parameters. Like, why do people even care what people's hair looks like or what clothes they wear...? Isn't it exhausting getting offended by such pointless stuff all the time? XD

[aoEAF2FBvC0MIo2Q 3,673]

Never let hatred drive your actions. No amount of "righteousness" can ever justify hatred. What's more, shaming people perpetuates an "us versus them" mentality which does the opposite of bringing people together to talk about a problem that concerns everyone.

 

what are you trying to say? I can't seem to wrap myself around your message

First and foremost, it's a simple idea, not to let hatred guide your actions.

What's more, such people rationalize that hatred as being "righteous" but that's all it is: a rationalization. What's more, "right and wrong" are all in the eye of the beholder. Subjective as hell in other words, which can lead someone -- especially someone driven by hatred -- to believe that anyone who doesn't adhere to their definition of righteousness are loathsome by default. Such is self-righteousness. What results in this "us versus them" mentality that this creates is alienation. It gets people to want to put distance between themselves and the group.

[Shawn Parks 1,798]

Have any of you heard of a company called "Damsel in Defense"?  They sell self-defense products, like stun guns and pepper spray, using consultants who do party presentations.  It is similar to Avon or Tupperware.  I have thought about signing up to do this.  But it is another situation where I worry that women would respond negatively to me because I am not one of them.

 

 

WEBSITE

 

 

[ShadowFoxz 342]

First and foremost, it's a simple idea, not to let hatred guide your actions.

What's more, such people rationalize that hatred as being "righteous" but that's all it is: a rationalization. What's more, "right and wrong" are all in the eye of the beholder. Subjective as hell in other words, which can lead someone -- especially someone driven by hatred -- to believe that anyone who doesn't adhere to their definition of righteousness are loathsome by default. Such is self-righteousness. What results in this "us versus them" mentality that this creates is alienation. It gets people to want to put distance between themselves and the group.

Im having difficulty understanding, can you simplify it? I am not english by default and i can't seem to get the context of the message

[aoEAF2FBvC0MIo2Q 3,673]

Im having difficulty understanding, can you simplify it? I am not english by default and i can't seem to get the context of the message

OK. Just don't let hate guide your actions no matter how righteous it may seem at first. Hate is hate.

[Shenron00 366]

I may be a dude on the inside AND out, but... GIRL POWER......I guess......

Oh my, I made this awkward....

Yup -- this is yet another way guys can get screwed over by living in a misogynistic society. A guy having long hair (at least in Western socieity) is often interpreted to be worse than a guy with short hair because long hair is arbitrarily deemed as something feminine (and therefore less respectable). People tend to devalue men with feminine qualities, even when it's something as insignificant as hair. Men with long hair often get called a slew of insults... some insults attack their masculinity (calling them "girly," "gay," etc.), some attacking their cleanliess ("dirty hippie," "hobo"), some attacking their ethics ("stoner," "pedophile"). It seems like, just like women can't want short hair without it being such a huge controversy, men can't want long hair either.

 

It's so strange to me, how some people are so threatened by men and women who dare to express their gender outside of some subjectively-set, narrow parameters. Like, why do people even care what people's hair looks like or what clothes they wear...? Isn't it exhausting getting offended by such pointless stuff all the time? XD

I dunno, I've seen some dudes who look totally badass with long hair.... Edited November 4, 2014 by Shenron00