As we approach International Women's Day and proceed into March as Women's History Month, it is worth taking time to briefly discuss the f-word: feminism. We need to be reminded of what feminism is and why we still need it today.
Growing up in a working-class, Catholic neighborhood in Los Angeles, "feminism" was not a positive thing. I was fed a stereotypical view of feminism (often in church!) that the word itself conjured up images of angry, men-hating, bra-burning women. This view, unfortunately, is not unique to my community, and its prevalance in many other communities has resulted in the broad misconception of feminism.
Simply put, feminism is the idea that women are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as men. (In the U.S., there have been diverse schools of thought within and from the larger feminist movement to address the experiences and concerns of those outside the circle of white, middle class, educated, straight, cis-gendered women who are at the core of mainstream feminism.) Today, I embrace feminism.
As a feminist, I'm still met with groans and eye-rolling whenever I begin to speak of women's issues among some friends and family. "Feminism" is still something of a dirty word. This plays out on a larger scale, too, when celebrities and public figures proclaim to support the ideas of feminism but do flips and turns to avoid calling themselves a "feminist," opting for words like "humanist."
Contrary to popular belief, we do not live in a post-sexist society; we need feminism. We need it today because women clergy continue to face discrimination, or as is the case with my own religious tradition, are banned from the priesthood. We need it because men are still trying to regulate women's bodies and make it increasingly impossible to access adequate health care. We need it because 91% of the victims of rape and sexual assault are women. We need it because 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women are still making less than men even after accounting for factors like experience and job characteristics. We need it because presidential candidates can publicly make vile, sexist remarks and still be the front-runner in their party.
On International Women's Day and throughout the month of March, please celebrate women and their achievements. But also take actions for women; now is the time! Make sure you vote, and when you do, take time to consider if your local representative or state senator supports legislation that will provide women with equal pay, sufficient paid family leave, and access to the health care they deserve, to name a few. Consider if the candidate of your choosing truly respects women. Pay attention to what is happening in your city, state, and throughout the country, and respond.
I need feminism. Our communities need feminism. Our world needs feminism. So go out there and share the gospel of feminism!
For feminism,
Paulina Piña Garcia
PCU Administrator