TW: discussion of sexual assault and physical violence, in objective and explicit terms, but not in personal or graphic terms As a feminist, I care about many issues that affect women. I care about our lack of representation both in politics and in Hollywood. I care about the objectification and commodification of female bodies. I care about the way major world religions including my own (Christianity) treat women as Other and as lesser. But my… [Read More]
Feminism 101 Archives -- Discover the Basics of Feminism
Feminism 101: Modesty Culture
I touched on Modesty Culture in both my post on why I wear a bikini and in my 101 post on Purity Culture. In religious circles, Modesty Culture is a subset of Purity Culture. However, Modesty Culture also pops up in secular conversation and public school dress codes. Then it’s not acting as part of Purity Culture, but it’s still a part of the larger Rape Culture. What is Modesty Culture? It’s actually pretty simple…. [Read More]
Feminism 101: Purity Culture
It’s been a few months since I last covered a topic under Feminism 101. It’s been even longer since my post explaining rape culture. If you need a reminder, I recommend you reread that post before continuing with Purity Culture. Purity Culture is a religious subset of rape culture. While Purity Culture is not limited to just Christianity, that is my experience. I’m not familiar enough with other religions to speak about how they interact with… [Read More]
Why I Need Feminism: Just Read the Comments
Have you ever heard of Lewis’s Law? First articulated by Helen Lewis, this Internet rule explains the phenomenon of the comment sections on articles about feminism. As I've just told @alicetiara, the comments on any article about feminism justify feminism. That is Lewis's Law. — Helen Lewis (@helenlewis) August 9, 2012 The tweet above reads: “As I’ve just told Alice Tiara, the comments on any article about feminism justify feminism. That is Lewis’s Law.” For… [Read More]
Feminism 101: Rape Culture
TW: gendered and homophobic slurs, discussion of sexual assault/rape There is seriously SO much confusion about what is (and is not) rape culture. Due to this, some people act like it’s just something feminists made up. Misandry is totally real, y’all. Or not. What rape culture is NOT Rape culture does not mean that feminists think all men are rapists. Rape culture does not mean that feminists think our society explicitly condones rapists in dark alleys… [Read More]
Feminism 101: An Introduction to Intersectionality
Let me be straight with you. I have been trying to write this post for months. I just didn’t know where to begin. As a relatively privileged feminist, I really want to do this topic justice, without attempting to speak for other women. So before I delve into this, I give this humble request to any feminist readers. Please comment or even contact me privately if you disagree with my explanation of intersectionality. Help me… [Read More]