30
Oct
2009
Women Unbound Challenge
I am hereby accepting the the Women Unbound Reading Challenge, hosted by Aarti and Care and Eva.
But, O.K., before we get to the actual challenge, here’s a little meme they want me to do:
1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act? O.K., so, I AM a chick, even though I go by my initials. I go by my initials in my writing (nobody IRL calls me JT) because it’s ambiguous. And even on this blog, I try to keep my voice gender-neutral, unless I’m talking about my husband or shoes (which, of course, men can talk about, too, it’s just more rare that they do). Way back a long time ago one of my parents’ friends told my mom that he doesn’t read books by women, and that’s probably what first put the idea into my head to use my initials. By now I’ve figured out that men don’t read a whole lot (compared to women) so it probably doesn’t matter, but like I said, I like the ambiguity. And I find it funny when I get letters/e-mail addressed to Mr. Oldfield–because that was my Dad. Yes, Oldfield is my maiden name. I only agreed to change my name when I got married because I figured I could always write under my maiden name, and I think it’s nice if your kids have the same name as both parents. However, nobody ever calls me “Mrs”–even at the doctor’s office, it’s always “Miss” or “Ms”. Funny that.
2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not? Actually, no, I don’t. I think that it’s sort of a polarizing label. I think that we have moved beyond the scope of feminism–or at least, I hope we have–in most spheres (maybe if you wanted to join the army or become an astronaut it would still be an issue to be a woman). Now things that face women have do with things like: deciding to stay home with the kids, which a lot of people look down upon; enjoyment of sex (it still seems to me that women can want to have sex, but they can’t enjoy it or have it with multiple partners); embracement of femininity (including both frilly pink things and sexiness); etc., etc. I don’t speak about all feminists, but a lot of people I’ve encountered who label themselves as such work against embracing these things (actively or not). Really, we should be encouraging both men and women to be whole, multi-layered people, and to be true to themselves, not to a cause.
3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same? I think that the biggest obstacle facing women is that they aren’t taken seriously when they make choices like staying home with their kids and wearing mini-skirts. Basically, I think that people–both men and women–are quick to stereotype women in many situations.
Now, one Caveat: I don’t consider myself a feminist, but that’s because I have never had to be one. The generations that came before mine faced severe discrimination and their hard work and perseverance allows me to have lived a life where at most I face the odd joke about blonds.
O.K., now, back to what is really important: the books!
This challenge goes from November 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010. There are three levels:
Since it goes for a whopping 13 months, I’m going for Suffragette–and cue “Suffragette City” nnnnnow!
Here’s my list:
God Dies by the Nile by Nawal El Saadawi
Buddha’s Wife by Gabriel Constans
Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Queen Noor
Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal by Julie Metz
French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays by Zadie Smith
The Long Way Home (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, Vol. 1) by Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty
So far, none of these count for any other challenges, but I’m sure that will change. :)
You give food for thought, JT. I agree with you that women aren’t taken seriously for making some decisions- or, even if they’re taken seriously, they’re judged harshly. And, I think, probably more harshly by women who did not make that decision than by men.
*laughing* at your “JT” and how people think you are male *raises hand…I made that same mistake!* Love the answers to the meme questions…especially the “women aren’t taken seriously” answer. Yes, I agree completely – especially in fields which are male dominated, I’ve found. I will be interested to read your thoughts on the books you’ve chosen – they look really good!
I haven’t answered the meme yet, or posted my list of books … but I’ve posted an intro post for the Women Unbound Challenge, so I’m committed to it!
I’ll look forward to reading your posts as you make your way toward Suffragette!
JT,
I think one of the obstacles we have to dismantle is the limited, more often not representative notion that hardcore, card-wearing feminists reject what is deemed feminine like opting to stay home or wanting to be seen as girlie.
I know more feminists who do stay home to raise children and who do enjoy the skirt, makeup and whatever else than not. I think the idea of the man-hating, lesbian or aggressive bi*ch stereotype is something that women themselves continue to reject and promote even though this doesn’t represent the majority of feminists.
The other obstacle is moving beyond the very limiting notion that the thrust of feminism is about equality in the workplace. While your foremothers paved a smoother road for you in many ways in the West, there are women still in this country and around the world who do not enjoy the freedoms you know and that means that is still plenty reason to call oneself or at least act on behalf of women and acting on behalf of women is feminist.
Sorry for the soapbox spiel but I hear so many women particularly young women who think feminism is something we’ve done and it’s over.
I appreciate your answers and I like Susan’s response. This is just one example of how great this challenge is! We are opening up dialogues and expanding our thoughts.
I have a friend who used her initials precisely so that no one could tell her gender on her resume. It is interesting how many assume male.
I hope to read the Woolf book, too.
“Really, we should be encouraging both men and women to be whole, multi-layered people, and to be true to themselves, not to a cause.”
This is true, but it’s also the reason why I DO call myself a feminist
There’s a lot of confusion and a lot of misconceptions surrounding the label, I agree. But I wear it with pride because for me it’s much more useful than harmful.
PS: Okay, I’ve just read Susan’s comment and I agree with her too. And I like Care’s comment too! I love that we’re having these conversations.
I haven’t yet written my post or chosen my books. I too am not sure I consider myself a feminist. I’m enjoying these posts everyone is writing because it’s helping me gather my thoughts of what I actually think and what I stand for. I do think I’m a feminist but not sure what that means to me.
Great list! Happy reading!
Very interesting meme question answers (honest) – I would say that you are in fact a feminist but don’t like the negative conotations associated with the label?
Looking forward to your thoughts on your books. Glad your part of the challenge I am too.
Shellie