Has Feminism lost its focus?

Question

In the Washington Post Linda Hirshman wrote an article today titled "Looking to the Future, Feminism Has to Focus":

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/06/AR2008060603494.html

She thinks a woman can't get elected President in the US because "feminists" are not focusing on "women's issues" but are focusing more on racism and classism issues and that these issues are distracting feminists from the "feminist movement". I think she's a little too much of a 2nd wave feminist and wishes the white girls were getting all the attention. What do you think?

Answer 1

Judging by the way people on YA ignorantly trash feminism without having any real understanding of its history or goals, yes.

If there's anything first-wavers should have taught us, it's that all issues of equality and oppression are intertwined.

You're right on saying she's a second-waver - I wish I could make every person on here read the wikipedia articles about feminism BEFORE they opened their mouths about something they don't know anything about.

Thank god there are others who feel the same way.

Answer 2

Hilary is not a feminist.  She is part of the patriarchal system (she may be a liberal feminist pin up girl), in my oppinion liberal feminism has been incorporated into the capitalist military industrial complex and thus is a little like dissinformation - meaningless.  It is a shame that feminism in general is represented by a liberal dogma that is at it's core anti-feminist.  Does your head in doesn't it?

Answer 3

She isn't particularly culturally sensitive, I'll say that much.

Answer 4

FEMINISM WAS IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE ABOUT SELFISHNESS

Answer 5

I thought feminism focused on promoting equality and fighting social injustices in general? Not just solely "women's issues" though that's included.

At least that's what most of the feminists on here say.

Answer 6

Put it this way when a person strongly believes in something they never lose focus.

Answer 7

I think most women don't see them selves as oppressed this has been the issue with feminism. Women are the strongest supporters of their oppression.

Answer 8

I'm really sick of hearing women complain that Hillary lost because of sexism.

First of all, she was scrambling for money throughout and made several crucial mistakes in her campaign (like ignoring the caucuses maybe???)

And second of all, it's not like she lost to tradition, she lost to another minority politician.  

I suppose no matter who lost there would be cries of sexism or racism, but calling it either is diminishing where sexism (and for that matter racism) really exists.

Saying she received unfair treatment by the media, sure.  Like her appearance and demeanor being much more of a focus than her male counterparts, but even this was on a very small scale.

To be honest, every time I heard "sexism" or "1st woman president" come out of her mouth, it pissed me off.

I believe Feminisms focus should be on creating a world in which gender is regardless.  Drawing attention to gender, as Hillary did, I believe is becoming part of the sexism you are trying to fight against.

I applaud Obama for sticking to the issues and only addressing race when it is brought to him.

On a side note: Historically I think it speaks well of women's place in American political future.  If you figure that women's suffrage followed black suffrage by about 50 years and then the 2nd wave feminist movement followed (or coincided) the civil rights movement by only a few years, a black man becoming president would in theory create a social change that would prepare us for a woman president very soon after.

Answer 9

Whatever!  It has not only been the main focus but it has taken over everything.  Now our boys are drugged to stop being boys and our men are being waxed and neutered!

Ugh.  What we need to do is focus on being real women.  Educated homemakers who take care of our own children, look good, clean house and have FUN!

Answer 10

It could be that even most feminists see that western women have all the same rights and opportunities that men have.  So, why beat a dead horse?  Instead they try to help people that are still disadvantaged.  It makes sense if you think about it.

Answer 11

The last thing we need to do is try and seperate women's issues from humanist.  People already have the wrong idea that the feminist movement is full of clanish white women.  By concentrating in other areas that aren't strictly sexed based we will gain more support and acceptance.  You draw more in with honey than you do vinegar.  No one wants to be bothered with feminists if they think we're all militant and angry.

Answer 12

If I am going to be completely honest, I question whether or not there are 'women's issues' anymore, at least to a degree that awards them their own religion.

So I don't know if it has lost it's focus, but it is most likely irrelevant in comparison to more pressing needs, like class.