Feminists? Any here?

[Zen]

We still have a long way to go, baby.

[Crankin]

I pretty much agree with what Lisa said. I find that some younger women don't realize what "rights" they have, but mostly the younger people I go to grad school with are pretty out there with feminism. So are the men, actually.
I was at the younger end of the "bra burners," but it had a huge effect on me, although I am no way radical (well, maybe to some). I think the main effect it had was that I decided I would always be able to support myself and always work, even if I had kids. A lot of people gave me cr*p for that one.
This is the first time in my life that I haven't worked. Even though I am in school and we can well afford this, I don't like feeling dependent.
Truthfully, I don't feel bad about being able to have a bike and ride. I worked for whatever I have. But, I do think that we should work on getting bikes to middle school aged girls; riding promotes independence and a healthy life style.

[shootingstar]

But, I do think that we should work on getting bikes to middle school aged girls; riding promotes independence and a healthy life style.

Yea, a LONG way to go here on this one. Lessen the huge focus in teen years on body image, etc.

While it's great to see some women pick up cycling again much later in life, there are alot more teens that could benefit from lots of encouragement or mechanisms to make cycling efforts seen as cool or just simply more socially acceptable among their peers.

[OakLeaf]

What Shootingstar said (born in the same year, too).

I'm not active in the movement at the moment, if that's what you're asking. But those who are have my wholehearted support - yes I do believe that women are human beings.

[Jewell]

I'm heavily involved as a feminist and plan to be getting a major in environmental studies and women studies (only a year left, hooray). There's still a lot of work left to be done, let me tell you!

I'm reminded of this everyday from the way women are portrayed on tv (ever realize on Seinfeld how George always went out with gorgeous women or how only certain body types get leading roles), to the ever present heterosexism in society, to the normalcy of racism in every facet of life.

I find it difficult when it can seem like we've come far by all modern appearances, yet women are still treated as a object of desire, even by the most enlightened of men. Many times men's language of women does little to support the idea that women are equal. Feminism is such an f-word that few women embrace it and even less men can utter the word. Its so nice to see a good proportion of women on there embracing it!

I do think that beauty image is a big hurdle for many women to over come if they want to cycle, not just for teenagers. Of course Copenhageners have greatly overcome this issue. I know many women who would have trouble commuting due to their need to fulfill the mainstream image of beauty. Its really unfortunate that for many the need maintain their appearance is almost OCD in nature...

[Crankin]

Jewell, we still *do* have a long way to go. And there is an ever present degree of racism/heterosexism around.
But, I guess with the perspective of age, I have to say that most people aren't thinking about this. I am not saying this is right, but most people just go about living their lives. If there is an act of egregious racism, sexism, etc., then many would respond. But, on the whole, most white, Christian, heterosexual people don't "get" the racism that a lot live with.

I don't feel like I am fulfilling anyone's image of beauty. I like making myself look good for myself. That includes making myself healthy and fit through sports. I think some people get turned off of the word "feminism" because many feminists give the opinion that if you wear make up, dress up etc. you are doing it because of society's expectations on women. I mean, my husband likes buying clothes, looking good, staying young and fit as we age. He's not doing it to please society any more than I am.

[Pax]

Unfortunately, many feminists in the US tend to wear blinders thinking that we've got it pretty good so why raise a fuss. We forget that women all over the world are treated worse than livestock, raped, beaten, subjected to "honor" killings...

Just today on CNN, yet another example of why we have to remain vigilant.

[smurfalicious]

But, on the whole, most white, Christian, heterosexual people don't "get" the racism that a lot live with.

Whoa! The race card and the religion card all rolled into one. Huh, maybe I'll check out synagogues over the weekend so I can "get it." I mean, I've never had anyone bash or mock my faith and life has been a bed of roses. I've never had so called enlightened, liberal folks look down on me and assume I wasn't as intelligent or worthy as they because I'm a country girl and prefer that way of life (at least I know how to grow my own food from veggies to beef to eggs should the world go mad). I especially like the comments from these same people about "rednecks" and how we're everything wrong with the world. Can't even tell you how many times my age has made me less capable, less knowledgeable, whatever. Ageism goes, both ways. Oh, and let me tell you Hillary has 2 mommies went over awesome in my small town. Awe-haw-some! I like to think of myself as "heteroflexible" so there are lesbians out there who hate me (oh the irony). And what about the people our culture refers to as "white trash?" You don't think they encounter prejudice?

I don't label myself a feminist because I think what it has become is a joke and insult to amazing women who actually broke ground for us. It seems now that calling yourself a feminist is an excuse to be a flippant b***h while expecting others to tolerate it. There seems to be an attitude that if one man pays you less, all men are to blame. A lot of two wrongs still not adding up to a right.

So I'd call myself a strong woman, modeled after the strongest woman I know, my mom. Like ShootingStar pointed out, my mom gave up drafting to raise us kids and once we were school age she would do upholstery while we were in school. Unfortunately after my parents divorced she was out of luck because no one drafts on a board anymore. She tried to take CAD classes but my dad made it hard for her. So she was stuck and worked her butt off to take care of us. For years she suffered at my dad's hands to try and do what she thought was best for us kids, keep the family together. That was kind of the prevailing attitude then.

To this day I watch her kick butt and take names. She got her contractors license after a full knee replacement. She's doing what she knows, and loves, and every day it makes me proud of her.

I guess I pick and choose my battles. It's like this gal I'm living with, she complains so much that none of it matters anymore. I stand up for myself, by myself, and hopefully that will mean someone else down the road won't have to.

And lets be a skosh honest with ourselves. If men didn't see us as objects of desire eventually we'd have an epic fail as a species.

[PamNY]

I do think that beauty image is a big hurdle for many women to over come if they want to cycle, not just for teenagers. Of course Copenhageners have greatly overcome this issue. I know many women who would have trouble commuting due to their need to fulfill the mainstream image of beauty. Its really unfortunate that for many the need maintain their appearance is almost OCD in nature...

I don't understand this comment. I see many women who look like the commuters in those photographs of Copenhagen. I haven't conducted a survey, but I'm sure fear of being squashed by a bus or having a bike stolen is a much bigger issue than helmet hair.

Honestly, I've never given a thought to how I look when cycling, and have never even heard it discussed outside this forum.

Pam

[OakLeaf]

I don't understand this comment. I see many women who look like the commuters in those photographs of Copenhagen. I haven't conducted a survey, but I'm sure fear of being squashed by a bus or having a bike stolen is a much bigger issue than helmet hair.

Honestly, I've never given a thought to how I look when cycling, and have never even heard it discussed outside this forum.

Pam

that link that CC posted a week or so ago claimed that the #1 reason women don't commute is because we don't want to get to work sweaty; with hair being a close second.

I agree, actually. I've done my share of getting to work sweaty, and without a shower (just trying to clean up in the bathroom sink) I stuck out like a sore thumb even in a pretty relaxed business environment.

Not quite sure what that has to do with feminism though... do you think men are more tolerant of other men being sweaty in a business environment, than they are of women?