Feminist Terms

      The terms used when describing or discussing feminism may be influenced by society, perceptions, stereotypes, and time periods. Or they may have been derived from a specific feminist or activist throughout history. The term feminism is generally used to describe the advocacy of equality among genders, or women's rights in social, political, and economical equality to men. Unfortunately, some people may assume the word has negative connotations, leading to some believing feminists are man-haters (very wrong). The term feminist may also vary between the waves of feminism. The first wave feminists were involved in the women's rights movement in the 1960s, while the second wave feminists developed forms of feminist theory based on the first wave's work. These variations and misunderstandings of the terms "feminist" and "feminism" show how important term usage can be in feminism. Of course other terms such as "girl power" may be intermixed with women's rights and such, but the vocabulary used can change the perspective of the movement by weakening or strengthening it.

      As mentioned before, many of the terms used in discussion today were derived from feminists themselves. The term "womanist" came from Alice Walker who wanted to move away from the term "feminist" because it once ignored different races. A Womanist is obviously geared towards all women. Betty Friedan developed the concept of "Feminine Mystique" to describe how women have been limited to having only a role of a mother and wife due to a patriarchal society. Other authors elaborate on terms that directly relate to feminism such as Chandra Mohanty. She defines colonization as "a relation of structural domination, and an often violent suppression of the heterogeneity of the subjects in question". She believes that colonization has lead to the categorization of third world country struggles, which may limit some women to help based on whether they are living in a third world country, instead of depending on if they are suffering from "third world problems" such as genital mutilation. Obviously, terms used in feminism vary and change greatly through history, and may have been affected by stereotypes, decades, or feminists themselves.

Feminism in Japan and China

Sources:

Germer, Andrea. "Feminist History in Japan: National and International Perspectives." Intersections: Feminist History in Japan: National and International Perspectives. Murdoch University, 18 Mar. 1008. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

Schneider, Helen M. "Mobilising Women: The Women's Advisory Council, Resistance And Reconstruction During China's War With Japan." European Journal Of East Asian Studies 11.2 (2012): 213-236. Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

Xinmo, Li. "History of Feminism and Feminist Art in China - News - Artintern.net." Artintern.net. Artintern, 21 Mar. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

Moran, Dunham, and Poehler and Fourth/Fifth Wave Feminism

      A first, second, and third wave of feminism are definite and accepted among most. A fourth and a fifth? Well, explained in past posts, the fourth wave is detailed to be prominent in today's technological and social media world. Although it is not as defined as the first, second and third, and may not always be agreed with, the "fourth wave" of feminism is made up of different types of activism, communication, and support than past waves. As social media and the internet takes up much more of peoples' time, especially women supposedly, there becomes a greater ability for discussion boards, online and call support systems, international communication, and online organization factors to develop. However, there is still question to whether boards, blogs, and online petitions make as much of a difference than rallies, public speeches, and protests. The supposed fifth wave of feminism is even more undefined and questionable. While the fourth wave is still booming with traces of the third, is it necessary to declare us in the beginning of the fifth wave. Caitlin Moran is rallying women to declare our generation as the beginning of a fifth wave of feminism. Most of Moran's motives for the fifth wave of feminism lay in the more personal and social norm aspect that affects women's images of themselves.

      As mentioned above, Caitlin Moran has focused on women's personal choices, image, social pressures, and self-consciousness within the fourth and fifth feminist movement with her book, How to be a Woman. Her proposal of the fifth wave of feminism presents issues in a loud and humorous manner so that feminists can be seen as "hot" and likable in their beliefs. Although she references serious choices such as abortion, her laughing and joking relevance obviously works best with topics such as facial hair. Fifth wave feminists should call themselves strident according to Moran. She pointed out that the word "feminist" in today's society has drawn out some negative connotations and has sometimes been replaced with weaker phrases such "girl power" which does sound girly and saucy like her feminist attitude, but it also takes away from the real meaning of feminism. Although I enjoyed her humorous writing, I noticed a few viewpoints that many others did not agree with. Throughout history, men have had important voices in the feminist movement. She made the comment that you are a feminist if you have lady parts and want to speak for them. Although this may have been one of her entertaining points, some readers may get the wrong picture either because she gives her specific opinions of because of her humor. 

      Lena Dunham has also captured audience with the use of humor when relating to feminist issues in Girls and her book Not That Kind Of Girl. However, her writing has a serious tone among lesser jokes. Dunham has taken stand for the sexual image and issues affecting women in the current fourth and fifth waves of feminism. Similar to Moran, she keeps in mind the "big picture" of pressures and self-consciousness of women. She discusses her personal experiences and relates them to younger women and others who struggle with finding the right times, wants, and thoughts about sexual relations. Targeted women in these pressures include college and high school girls who believe that they should be having sex and may not be ready for that step in life, girls who look for unhealthy sexual relationships because they feel weak, and women who are pressured by men. Dunham wrote about her first sex experience in college, many years after her fellow classmates which led her to make the decision at the wrong time. She believes that this wave truly fights identity and sex becoming one. Also similar to Moran, she believes that the normal image of a woman should be spread to everyone's vision in comparison to perfect and plastic models. Often self-criticism can lead to mistaken sexual behavior as someone wants another to compliment their image through attraction.

      Yes, Please by Amy Poehler explores what being a real woman is all about. Although the book details her life memoirs, Poehler's ideas about being a woman and feminism appear. Contrary to women in the historical past, Amy portrays herself to be a strong, independent woman who does not enjoy to be bothered by others. Although this may sound rude in the public eye, a greater understanding of per personality unravels throughout the reading. Many of her feminist values and beliefs are explained by famous quotes such as Eleanor Roosevelt's statement, "A woman is like a teabag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water." Her individualistic personality is very important in the current wave of feminism. Women are continuing to move away from the control and manipulation of others and making their own choices, such as Amy did throughout her acting career. Although a strong woman, she shows how women can be very dynamic characters, such as her love of the phrase "yes please." Showing respect, professionalism, and feeling like a "real woman" is combined with a willed and individualistic personality. In contrast to Moran's writing, Poehler discusses her love for men, and how that does not interfere with her feminist and gender respective views. This is a very important aspect in current society, because many compare the word "feminist" to man-haters, or something very radical such as women who want to take over the world. Without the acceptance of men's respect and support, the feminist movement would definitely not be as strong. 

Fourth Wave of Feminism Leadership: "Hollaback!"

      Online nonprofit organizations are relatively new ways of raising money, supporting a cause, and promoting activism. These organizations began to come about during the growing "fourth wave of feminism" as described in past posts. Although the fourth wave reaches across the world, inspires women to take action and stand up for themselves, and fits perfectly in our increasingly technological society, these organizations are struggling to establish themselves as strong foundations. (BCRW)

Photo: Yahoo Images

     One of these online organizations is called "Hollaback!". Hollaback! is a nonprofit movement to end street harassment created to educate about street harassment, encourage public discussion, and to develop plans for equal access to public areas. They define street harassment as sexual harassment in public places to make victims feel scared and the harasser powerful. It can be sexist, racist, transphobic, homophobic, ableist, sizeist and/or classist. According to co-founder and executive director Emily May, "We’ve had to hustle really hard for every dollar, in part because most foundations just don’t have a portfolio that we can fit into," describing how their organization is not getting enough funding compared to non-online organizations (ihollaback.org). They only have enough funding to pay two full time individuals and 350 square feet of office. The organization is funded to be in one country, but supported by activists in 79 cities and 26 countries. Of the cities, the organization holds research in twenty of them. The activists have met with 250 policy makers to make change, and educated over 2,500 youth. (BCRW) 

Sources: 

"About." Hollaback You Have the Power to End Street Harassment RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2014.

"Barnard Center for Research on Women." Barnard Center for Research on Women. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2014.

Critical Analysis of a Current Issue: Human Trafficking of Women and Girls

Photo: www.saintpetersblog.com

      Human trafficking of women and girls occurs throughout the world, but is usually hidden from the public. Trafficking refers to both sexual and labor exploitation of victims, usually of females who are most vulnerable due to discrimination, poor economic situations, forced situations, and desperate measures. Although governments are obligated to protect citizens from abuse, victims are often too afraid to report it, and others are detained as prostitutes or illegal citizens, and released into the horrendous cycle again. (amnesty.org)

Areas in the United States Affected by Human Trafficking
Photo: polarisproject.org

      According to HumanTrafficking.org, "The United States of America is principally a transit and destination country for trafficking in persons," (humantrafficking.org). HumanTrafficking.org is a web resource used for combating human trafficking across the world. I find this fact very alarming because many people in the United States believe that since it is considered a first world country, many dangers such as these are low. Since trafficking is hidden from the public, it is not appropriate to assume any safety and therefore, more people need to be educated on the topic. The website also states that 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked to the United States every year. Fortunately, the U.S. government has taken strong initiative to combat these crimes. The country began monitoring trafficking in 1994, which focused on the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed in 2000 which increased criminal penalties, offered increased protection and services to victims, and established a cabinet-level federal task force for the issue. (humantrafficking.org)

European Human Trafficking Main Routes

photo: iubccat.blogspot.com

      Sex at the Margins is a book written by Laura Maria Agustin to detail the human trafficking and similar issues that take place in European countries. Since human trafficking is a world-wide issue, it believe it is important to understand the crime in countries in the world other than America. Also, since women and girls are trafficked back and forth from numerous countries, the crimes are interconnected in the global community. Therefore, every country needs to be targeted to tackle these crimes. The author describes that many women in European countries sell themselves to slavery because of the high costs of living and a feeling of no other choice. The book gives a story from a real victim: "‘I start work at six most evenings and sometimes don’t finish till eight the next morning. I must see up to 30 men a night if all the bills are to be paid. I owe a lot of money to the men who brought me

here," and a response from someone else: "It is hard to hear Aura’s quiet voice over the noises in the Soho street below. She is sitting on the edge of a small double bed. The

sheets are soiled, the floor covered with a stained carpet. Her dark features and highly made-up face belie her age. She is only 17 . . ." (Agustin, Laura Maria). The author further explains that poor children from Eastern Europe, including Aura, are trapped in prostitution in London. It is not unusual to hear about sex trafficking in Europe as females from all around the globe are trafficked to the countries and vice versa. An example the author gave was the increase in human trafficking for specific events brought to a certain area such as the World Cup. According to the reading, around 40,000 women were brought to Germany to "service" the fans, around one-third of them being from Central and Eastern European countries. (Agustin, Laura Maria)

A Dominican Republic Girl was Tricked into Prostitution
Photo: newsjunkiepost.com

      According to the Migration Information Programme, "Sources in the Dominican Republic state that their country has the fourth highest number in the world of women working overseas in the sex trade, after Thailand, Brazil and the Philippines," (Migration Information Programme). It is detailed that the number of women sex workers abroad totals around 50,000 individuals. Many of the women trafficked around the world enter into the country with legal work visas or similar documentation. I found it very alarming to read that many workers who deal with the incoming of migrating individuals have links to the sex industry or are themselves a sex slave driver. This is a very eye-opening fact that should call for government review and investigations to close in on these scandals. According to the academic journal, there is a specific strategy to entering the industry in the Dominican Republic. The first contact is made through someone who uses the code phrases "impresario" or that they "know a woman who organizes trips" (Migration Information Programme). Once in contact and hired as a dancer, barmaid, or other similar employee, the female is charged anywhere from $400 to $1,000 USD. The "employer" takes care of all the legal documents of the victim, including their birth certificate. Each is addressed a false identity and a life story to memorized before they are departed to anywhere in the world. It is also horrifying to understand that the men in the victim's life usually accepted that she would be taken into trafficking without knowing what type of "job" she'd be forced into. The men often receive the pay of the sex worker. (Migration Information Programme) Since the process is almost formal because it is so often occurring in the Dominican Republic, similar processes must also be occurring everywhere else in the world. It also brings question to security and why it is so easy to get through systems with false identification.

      As mentioned in the beginning statistic of the paragraph above, Brazil is a leading country in human trafficking. According to the Forced Migration Review, the dramatic levels of social inequality in Brazil and lack of economic opportunities lead thousands of women and girls into sex exploitation and prostitution across the world or into agricultural estates within Brazil. Once females are taken from their homes to "live a better life", victims are warned that they owe money for travel expenses, leading them to the only quick option of trafficking. This warped assumption has been the majority reason for women to leave their country, which has become a highly contradictory topic depicted in Brazilian soap operas. Once these details were released to the public through television, warning that these ideas are very false, the government began to take action against the crimes, but their action is far too little to pertain to all victims. According to the article, "In 2003, 5,100 people were freed [by the government's anti-slavery teams]" (Forced Migration Review). In 2002, the Ministry of Justice and the United Nations initiated an international partnership, along with Brazilian police, to combat the crimes. Although according to the International Labor Organization, Brazil has become a role model for other countries, their enforcement lacks many important aspects that would allow for important action to be taken. Brazilian legislation only references trafficking to be illegal if the purpose is prostitution, attention does not explain the difference between forced exploitation and prostitution, foreign governments may be using human trafficking to create agendas, there has been an increased lack in abilities to migrate legally. (Forced Migration Review)

      I find the value of this information to be very eye-opening as it gives an understanding of a global issue women face. Living in a first world country often distracts us from the crimes and victimization that could and is happening, but is hidden from the public eye. I find it very important to be informed on these massive threats to be cognizant of the danger around us, and to have the ability to influence and advocate change. Without a broad knowledge of sexual and civil rights dangers women face, it is very easy to have a closed and naive view of women's status in the world.  

Sources:

Agustin, Laura María. "Chapter 1: Sexual Commotion." Sex at the Margins: Migration,    Labour Markets & the Rescue Industry. 1-9. n.p.: Zed Books, 2007. SocINDEX with Full   Text. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.

Almeida, Luciana Campello R., Luiza Helena Leite, and Frans Nederstigt. "Brazilian Trafficking: Soap Opera Versus Reality." Forced Migration Review 25 (2006): 34-35.Academic Search Complete. Web. 3 Nov. 2014

"HumanTrafficking.org | United States of America." HumanTrafficking.org | United States of America. Academy for Educational Development, n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.

"Migration Information Programme, 'Trafficking In Women From The Dominican Republic For Sexual Exploitation,' International Organization For Migration, Budapest, Hungary, June 1996." Trends In Organized Crime 3.4 (1998): 26. Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.

"Trafficking of Women and Girls | Amnesty International." Trafficking of Women and Girls | Amnesty International. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.

A Fourth Wave of Feminism?

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      Is there a fourth wave of feminism among us? According to the Political Studies Association, this is a very serious question to ask. The use of the internet and technology to spread activism is being questioned to see if the transition of communication is in fact a new era of feminism. Whether or not this change should be coined as the fourth wave of feminism, what this represents is a whole different question. It is obvious that our world has transformed into an instant-messaging, social media, technological community, but it is not for certain that this is the best way to spread activism. The internet makes it very convenient for an individual to log on in minutes to research feminism or discuss about it. Women's rights websites obtain thousands of views daily, as well as discussion board participation that gives women across the world to discuss and gain support about their struggles. However, it is very questionable to whether this activism is making a difference in the world since it is not actual political action parading the streets. There are several pledges and petitions that are "signed" by thousands or even millions on the internet, but do these online documents advocate change? Do the people that sign actually take action in their lives in support of the petition they signed? It is hopeful that they do, but not for certain. Some believe that women are speaking out in activism online because they do not have the chance to in actual politics. PSA explained that UK media favors men over women, so it would be more difficult for political women to have their voices heard. The fourth wave of feminism may be a beneficial or negative in different aspects, but I believe that what it represents is the change in communication of today's society. The feminist and women's movement views are being carried on into our modern society, which is a very positive entity aside from the fact that other types of activism is still necessary.

Sources: 

Munro, Ealasaid. "Feminism: A Fourth Wave?" The Political Studies Association. PSA, n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.

Documentary Review: Makers: Women Who Make America, Part One: Awakening

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      This post is part two of a documentary review of Makers: Women Who Make America, Part One: Awakening. As mentioned in the last post, Part One: Awakening focuses on an introduction to the feminist movement, detailing the status of women in the first wave and then the beginning of the second wave. In my opinion, it makes sense that the documentary would start out with women in the first wave of feminism to provide background information and a visual of the opportunities and lives faced during the nineteenth century. The status of women is described through the eyes of society, and how it began to be questioned by women and politics. The second wave is introduced by the event that is noted to be the transition into the second wave of feminism although the first did not end until the early twentieth century. The film provides information and interviews of very motivational and historical figures in the movement and what they faced during the time period, as well as different and contradicting views and disagreements that swirled through society at the time. The value of the information provided in the documentary is very important as it combines information about organizations, events, laws, societal beliefs, and individuals who made a difference in the movement. It serves as sort of a historical timeline of the women's movement which then leads into part two and three. 

National Organization of Women
Photo: Yahoo Images

      There are two main pieces of information discusses during the beginning that provides understanding of the first wave of feminism. One of which is a personal memoir from Kathrine Switzer who was a long distance runner most of her life. In 1967, she was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. She was a junior as Syracuse University. She made the statement, "I started as a girl and finished as a grown woman," because of the details of the event. During the race, the coordinator ran after her while grabbing her and demanding her to give him her number because women should not be in the race. The idea that women were not to compete with men and exercise was created in the physical view of women. They were not to have strong legs and a firm body, and also not be fit to endure physical activity. The other detail that was attacked during the first wave of feminism was the status of women. The film described the ideal woman to be married before she graduated college, a house wife or maid, to never have a job, and to never have any wants and needs out of her house wife and motherhood. Propaganda flooded society with women being viewed as weak, but happy housewives, under control of their husbands. 

      The second wave of feminism was much more highlighted in the documentary compared to the first. The second wave moved into more radical views, a collective fight from all ethnicity of women, and also a more personal view as well as the continued political fight. The Feminine Mystique by author Betty Friedan is a piece of literature that seemed to almost lead the second wave of feminism. It brought women together into a collective voice because most had the same struggle of the "problem that has no name." This struggle was the want for something more than just the role of a housewife and motherhood. Women wanted to have the same opportunities as men did, but they were taught to feel guilty if they had that want and to hide it from others. Betty Friedan and others formed the National Organization for Women which is still a large organization that fights for women's rights today. This organization was a strong voice in the women's movement. The Miss American Pageant was an event that also had a strong impact in the beginning of the second wave of feminism. Women gathered and decided that the "perfect image" of women portrayed in the pageant was very oppressing and decided to make a statement about it. A sheep was crowned "Miss America" because women felt that they were being herded by men. There was a "freedom trash can" where participants disposed of items that were worked into the feminine image such as high heels, curlers, bras, and playboy magazines. Finally in the pageant, a large sign was held that read: "Women's Liberation" which furthered the spreading of the movement throughout the world. Women's liberation was a term coined during the second wave that was used as a title to the movement. The liberating factors that women fought for included the workplace and opportunities. Although there were more jobs available in the second wave compared to the first, salaries compared to men were only fractions, many had limits, and most were only factory jobs. One of the examples given was the flight attendant position that was given to women for the first time. Women were very optimistic about their careers, but at the age of 32, they were all fired because the companies only wanted young, attractive women and believed that women at the age of 32 should be at home raising children. Another aspect that was explained in the documentary that proved that it was mainly referring to the second wave was activists that were involved in the civil rights movement. Since the Civil Rights Movement was still a popular topic, the feminist movement adopted many ideas from the Civil Rights Movement. However, black women still struggled to fit in the movement in the early days. They were also less privileged in the workplace and many other areas. Finally, the second wave of feminism was also characterized by radical views that some main feminists such as Betty Friedan did not agree with. Some of the radical groups projected their voice through humorous actions, mass strikes, and were made up of lesbian couples. Although some of their ideas were in argument with other feminists, their voice was very fierce and in the movement. All of these details in the documentary proved that the time period being discussed was the second wave of feminism.