History of Feminism

ismnotwasm

(42,607 posts)

54. Yes. I wasn't "radfem" until George Bush took office

Thu Jul 10, 2014, 11:19 PM

Jul 2014

I was a "liberal" feminist.

And I sure as hell wasn't the one who moved the goal posts. When I see it used as pejorative, I think "RW troll" or "dumbshit".

It's also a deceitful way of attempting to 'soften' feminism, isolating and demonizing radical feminists, promoting 'comfortable' feminisms. I always see articles on how it's ok not to be a "good feminist" what the fuck ever. I don't even know what that is supposed mean.

I don't mind discussing different ideologies, waves, ideas or perspectives. Radical Feminists include some of the best feminist philosophies, as well as Its most coherent explanations. My first hide ever was posting a great article from IBTP. (one I had posted twice before onDU2) The second one was on purpose-- I was testing what would happen if I incorporated some of the same stuff. Social experiment.

Not every feminist is a radical, but with the constant assault on body autonomy--sexuality, reproduction, the pay gap, being threatened on-line for having an opinion, etc--maybe we all should be.

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Anyone else think that tossing "radfem" around as a slur is the same as saying "feminazi"? [View all] redqueen Jul 2014 OP

Nope, you're not the only one who reads it that way. F4lconF16 Jul 2014 #1

Right? nt redqueen Jul 2014 #5

Pisses me off gwheezie Jul 2014 #2

If it's used to just talk about that knd of feminist / feminism that's one thing... redqueen Jul 2014 #7

I also think it is a rightwing type of slur. bravenak Jul 2014 #3

Agreed on both counts. redqueen Jul 2014 #8

Yes and yes. MadrasT Jul 2014 #50

Completely agree GeoWilliam750 Jul 2014 #67

Yes. theHandpuppet Jul 2014 #4

Yeah it's not everyone using it as an insult... redqueen Jul 2014 #9

They probably got it from Limbaugh shenmue Jul 2014 #6

Most definitely. MRAs love ranting about Radfems. redqueen Jul 2014 #10

Yep, I first heard the term from one of my most ardent admirers BainsBane Jul 2014 #12

Yes, as if only radical feminists consider sexual objectification to be an issue. redqueen Jul 2014 #13

Or feminists like myself who aren't particularly radical BainsBane Jul 2014 #11

Yep kcr Jul 2014 #14

Yep, another big clue there. nt redqueen Jul 2014 #16

What the hell is it, even? It's like a neon sign pointing to those that use it that says, Squinch Jul 2014 #15

"Let's just let the Supreme Court do its work." redqueen Jul 2014 #17

Yes! I was going to ask, what the hell is "radfem" anyway? CTyankee Jul 2014 #18

I think they think that when we talk about women's rights, we emit radiation... Hmm... That would Squinch Jul 2014 #19

I have actually asked that in the Men's Group. No response yet... CTyankee Jul 2014 #21

Oh, that will be interesting! I never see men's group stuff because I have most of them on ignore. Squinch Jul 2014 #22

Or ooze pus?? littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #30

Cooties! Irradiated cooties! Squinch Jul 2014 #34

...slowly exits... littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #40

It's used to belittle and demean. like the deliberate use of "hysterical" to describe us PeaceNikki Jul 2014 #20

then there is the "offended feminists" BainsBane Jul 2014 #23

we are a roving band of female terrorists... CTyankee Jul 2014 #24

With super-human radfem powers BainsBane Jul 2014 #25

DUzy. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #35

Geez, I missed that training. MadrasT Jul 2014 #51

Ooooh! What a visual that is! theHandpuppet Jul 2014 #53

And we are rattling our pots and pans. littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #29

Don't you love how women are automatically the liars? BainsBane Jul 2014 #31

I hear you loud and clear. littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #32

It's my all powerful radfem sonar BainsBane Jul 2014 #33

Zzzzzzzzzaaaaaappppp. littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #36

Yeah, that "good guy" has been on my IL chervilant Jul 2014 #52

I'm glad you wrote this JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #26

He told me it means feminists BainsBane Jul 2014 #27

OMGawd! littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #39

Ahhhh JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #47

It's on the other site BainsBane Jul 2014 #48

SFS: my favorite new acronym. littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #28

Absolutely. Iggo Jul 2014 #37

I love this group littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #38

I see no difference in the terms Curmudgeoness Jul 2014 #41

Because wanting basic human rights for women is just soooooooo radical! DesertDiamond Jul 2014 #42

It's the context (I think) Babel_17 Jul 2014 #43

The exact same thing etherealtruth Jul 2014 #44

I concur. yes. n/t The Traveler Jul 2014 #45

Absolutely! BillZBubb Jul 2014 #46

Rad being short for radical? Yes, it's a slur. Oakenshield Jul 2014 #49

Yes. I wasn't "radfem" until George Bush took office ismnotwasm Jul 2014 #54

in general, anyone who whines about feminists so often that they geek tragedy Jul 2014 #55

Well put. johnp3907 Jul 2014 #56

...TBH... Squinch Jul 2014 #62

Yes Tetris_Iguana Jul 2014 #57

It's definitely used as an insult on DU... cyberswede Jul 2014 #58

Isn't he a dear? BainsBane Jul 2014 #72

DU Rec. Tuesday Afternoon Jul 2014 #59

It's hard to imagine that term being used in a way that wouldn't shut down discussion el_bryanto Jul 2014 #60

Very well put. Squinch Jul 2014 #63

I think females are totally rad! IronLionZion Jul 2014 #61

radfem.... simply fighting the partiriarchy and crushing the gender roles forced on us. and THAT seabeyond Jul 2014 #64

Welcome back, sea GeoWilliam750 Jul 2014 #65

thank you. i feel good. that was a very productive time out. i SO learned my lesson. nt seabeyond Jul 2014 #66

I desperately hope that you have....... GeoWilliam750 Jul 2014 #68

bah hahahah. arent you special. seabeyond Jul 2014 #69

I am sure the MRA gentlemen will approve heartily GeoWilliam750 Jul 2014 #70

I think it depends on the context of who is using the term radfem and how it is being applied. Bjorn Against Jul 2014 #71

I think its purpose is to trivialize. I just got regarded elsewhere on du as suspect ellenrr Jul 2014 #73

Smh Tetris_Iguana Jul 2014 #74

agree. I think some people think "radical" means one is a bomb-throwing anarchist. ellenrr Jul 2014 #75

Yep. TDale313 Jul 2014 #76

We can, in large part, "thank" a small sect of transphobic conservative authoritarian extremists Zorra Jul 2014 #77

i do not think the mainstream the react negatively to "rad"fem is about terf. they are clueless. seabeyond Jul 2014 #78

"they use it on du cause they will get a hide with feminazi" redqueen Jul 2014 #80

No, I don't buy that. It seems to me that a small set of people are intent on spreading propaganda redqueen Jul 2014 #79

I'm saying that the TERF contingent has unnecessarily given Radical Feminism a bad rap, and Zorra Jul 2014 #81

And I'm saying that the "TERF" issue is a red herring. redqueen Jul 2014 #82

Oh, my. Whatever. We disagree. nt Zorra Jul 2014 #83

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #84

Po' Baby. ismnotwasm Jul 2014 #85

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #86

You need some new material cyberswede Jul 2014 #87

Why? ismnotwasm Jul 2014 #88