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Date: Sat, 05 Nov 2005 23:51:02 -0500
To: Daniel Reeves <dreeves &AElig umich.edu>
Cc: improvetheworld &AElig umich.edu
From: Michelle Sternthal <mjste &AElig umich.edu>
Subject: Re: are you a feminist?
Status: O

I am a feminist, proud to call myself that.  I would even identify myself as a
radical feminist.  Not to the extent that I attribute all blame to men 
or argue
for a matriarchy, but to the extent that I think merely equalizing pay or
assuring equal representation in our political and judicial spheres will NOT
solve the problem of mysogyny.  I think that the very institutions in which we
live currently foster discriminiation/oppression; a fundamental reexamination
of hidden assumptions and social norms emerging from these institutions is
neccessary to get to a new place.  What does that mean in reality?  Well, for
example, the concept of professionalism in society and the values it fosters--
individualism, excessive consumption, a hierarchical system of work in which 1
form of intelligence is prioritized-- creates a system in which women must fit
into traditional patriarchical roles in order to equalize.  The notion of
work/family strain, or the very nuclear family, reflects the remnants of
traditional patriarchy.  one can think of alternative models of work or 
kinship
((extended family, think of the kibbutz) in which women would not have to face
this struggle or where other skills would be valued.

Let's think of gender conceptions, and which institutions encourage 
these roles.
 From pre-birth, our children are given a gender.  Religion, schools, 
everywhere
with a public bathroom, highlight this distinction as one of the most 
important
in society.  To equalize the playing field, we must address these institutions
as well and the messages they send....

In order to "subvert the dominant gender paradigm" (that's for you, 
Bethany and
Danny) simply demanding laws to equalize pay will not be enough.  The ideology
behind this inequity must also be addressed.  this is a war not of the law but
of the mind....

michelle


Quoting Daniel Reeves <dreeves &AElig umich.edu>:

> Quick show of hands for your basic attitude towards feminism (and 
> also I'm curious who all is reading along)?
>
> http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/dreeves/improvetheworld
>
> Don't forget to hit submit on the whiteboard.  If you don't know what 
> that means, just read the poll at the link above and email me your 
> (ideally one-word) response.
>
> Thanks y'all!
> Danny
>
> -- 
> http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/dreeves  - -  google://"Daniel Reeves"
>
>
>


-- 
Michelle Sternthal
Joint Doctoral Program in Sociology & Public Policy
University of Michigan
734-709-6650 (cell)
mjste &AElig umich.edu

"We, unaccustomed to courage/ exiles from delight/ live coiled in shells of
loneliness/ until love leaves its high holy temple/ and comes into our sight/
to liberate us into life."
--Maya Angelou