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Emily Renée Ellis

Dr. Parker

English 113: Feminist Perspectives

21 September 2018

My Feminist Perspective

When it comes to the topic of feminism, most of us will readily agree that it is rooted in

the belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes (Valenti 14). Where this

agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of what this definition includes. On the one

hand, Roxane Gay argues that “feminism is grounded in supporting the choices of women even if

we wouldn’t make certain choices for ourselves” (Gay xii). On the other hand, Uwujaren and Utt

contend that “feminism is about more than ending sexism – it’s also about ending all

interconnected systems of oppression that affect different women in different ways” (Uwujaren

and Utt). Others even maintain that “It is our shared commitment toward a world in which the

inborn potentialities of so many women’s minds will no longer be wasted, raveled-away,

paralyzed, or denied” (Rich). By examining issues of sexism, “essential feminism”, and

intersectionality, it is clear that while feminism is rooted in the belief of equality between the

sexes, it is also an evolving and flawed movement that must work towards accepting all forms of

feminism/feminists and fight for the rights of all.

Feminism needs to be a movement that continues to fight for the social, political, and

economic equality of the sexes. For example, I know many people who argue that feminism has

achieved its goal just because women get to vote and have the “right” to work. Why should

women have to settle for simply being treated better than we used to be? When so many women

are still being raped and beaten, denied birth control, and paid less money than men (Valenti 11).
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Why must we be satisfied with less oppression rather than no oppression at all. I believe that “It

can be better. It has to be” (Valenti 11). That is why I am of the opinion that not only is feminism

must continue to be a movement whose primary purpose is to achieve true equality, in all realms,

between the sexes (Gay 310).

In addition, feminism must be a movement that supports the choices of all women even if

they are choices that we do not agree with or wouldn’t make for ourselves (Gay xii). For

instance, I know many people who perceive women’s expression of sexuality as being a lack of

self-respect. This type of thinking is clearly demonstrated when “Annie Lennox … declared that

Beyoncé is not a feminist” when she stated that “twerking is not feminism” (Uwujaren and Utt).

“By referring to Beyoncé’s feminism and expression as ‘disturbing,’ ‘exploitative,’ and

‘troubling,’” Lennox implies that feminism must look a certain way, or it is not feminism

(Uwujaren and Utt). Gay refers to this mentality in her book Bad Feminist as “essential feminism

… the notion that there are right and wrong ways to be a feminist” (Gay 304). She goes on to say

that “the most significant problem with essential feminism is how it doesn’t allow for the

complexities of human experience and individuality. There [is] … little room for multiple of

discordant points of view” (Gay 305). I believe that feminism is a movement that must be

grounded in fighting for the rights of all women so that they may embrace who they are.

Finally, I believe that feminism must be a movement that fights to end all of

interconnected systems of oppression that affect different women in different ways. For example,

when the topic of race came up in discussions about feminism, due to my own ignorance and a

lack of understanding at the time, I found myself thinking “Why do you have to divide us by

bringing up race?” By the end of “Why Our Feminism Must Be Intersectional (And 3 Ways to

Practice It),” I had learned that only focusing on the oppressions faced by all women “for the
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sake of unity centers the feminist movement around those with the most privilege” (Uwujaren

and Utt). I also had gained a better understanding of what it means to practice intersectionality

not only in feminism, but in all anti-oppressive movements. I am of the opinion that feminism is

a movement that must address and include intersectionality in order for it to be a truly anti-

oppressive movement.

My definition of feminism is a movement that continues to fight for the social, political,

and economic equality of the sexes, that supports the choices of all women even if they are

choices that we do not agree with or wouldn’t make for ourselves (Gay xii), and that fights to

end all of interconnected systems of oppression that affect different women in different ways.
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Works Cited

Gay, Roxane. Bad Feminist: Essays. New York: Harper Collins, 2014. 304-13. Print.

Rich, Adrienne. “Claiming an Education.” Douglass College. New Brunswick, New Jersey.

1977. Convocation speech.

Uwujaren, Jarune, and Jamie Utt. “Why Our Feminism Must Be Intersectional (And 3 Ways to

Practice It).” Everyday Feminism, 13 Aug. 2016, everydayfeminism.com/2015/01/why-

our-feminism-must-be-intersectional/.

Valenti, Jessica. “You're a Hardcore Feminist. I Swear.” Full Frontal Feminism A Young

Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters. Seal Press, 2014.