Are feminists too negative?

Question

My boyfriend thinks that feminists are too negative and angry, and need to acknowledge more positive things feminists have achieved in order to be taken seriously by the mainstream. He thinks it would be more conducive to change.

Personally I think he's being a bit picky, and also that some people won't take them seriously no matter what. But I've been trudging through some feminist blogs searching for ones that have some positivity in them, and I'm having a hard time. I found the "Thank You Thursdays" section of Feministing and that wasn't good enough for him. Can you help me out? Are there any books, blogs, or columns that don't come off as angry and ranty?

(No trolls allowed. I will destroy you. :))

Answer 1

It depends on who you consider a feminist.  Some feminists simply want male and female to be considered equal, but acknowledge the fact that there are differences.  Other feminists believe that men and women are the same.  And then there are some who say men and women are the same, but really they believe women are superior.

Answer 2

Seriously trying to find a calm rational feminist is like trying to find deep meaning in an episode of Baywatch.

Answer 3

Most feminist books I've seen come off as hopeful in the end, instead of just plain whinging. They acknowledge that we have come far, but not far enough.

Answer 4

there is no singular feminist label but a recognition that within all social and economic groupings women are in a subordinate position. If you can name one society where woman are treated as equals you could undermine the whole concept of feminism as a sociological perspective, until then accept feminism as a valid concept. But read this link and others it connects to. I have had a couple of feminists lecturers when doing my degree and they appr, yoached feminism with a positive and humorous attitude unfortunately those who oppose feminism do not want their prejudices undermined.

Answer 5

Your boyfriend sounds like an intelligent fellow.

Answer 6

Just that you had to brain pool on here with the fems. Should be answer enough that theres very little.

Answer 7

Nope, we're pretty much bitter about everything.

But good luck.

Answer 8

I think the AAUW (American Association of University Women) is very proactive and positive and striving for equal opportunities: http://www.aauw.org/index.cfm

Catalyst is a non-profit feminist organization promoting women in business I like: http://www.catalyst.org/

Girl Geeks looks positive and fun: http://www.girlgeeks.org/

The National Women's Alliance is a positive feminist group promoting opportunities for women and girls of color: http://www.nwaforchange.org/

I've supported the Women's Sports Foundation for many years: http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/

Good luck!

Answer 9

Feminist majority foundation is a great web site to start with.  They address contemporary women's issues.

Answer 10

First of all: no, feminists aren't negative at all.  

He has decided he wants to remain ignorant.  "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink".

This is all I can think of:

Does he like film?  You could watch movies together using Laura Mulvey's feminist interpretation of film as a guide.  Read up on her, she's very important in this area of scholarship.  Learn how to de-constructs film, and understand exactly what it is you are seeing.  Get yourself literate in film-interpretation,  and take the BF along for the ride.

I took a course on Feminist Interpretation of Film at uni.  It was tough but I got a decent grade.  BUT I wanted  a HIGHER grade, waaaaaaah!