Ambivalence about feminism

Yesterday, we had the privilege of attending "Finding Your Voice," the opening session of the 2009 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL), an incredible yearly event presented by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA).

"Finding Your Voice," led with skill, energy and empathy by Marcia Guenzler of the University of Maryland, was a group exercise, where Marcia threw out statements and members of the audience stood up when they agreed. A microphone was then passed around for people to share their opinions and stories about their position.

For such statements as, "In my lifetime, we will see a woman as President of the United States," and, "In my lifetime, I have been sex-role stereotyped," the vast majority of the audience stood up. But for the statement, "I consider myself a feminist," only half the audience stood up.

Of the young women who agreed, they seemed to embrace feminism for what it’s supposed to mean – equal rights for all – with little concern for the baggage attached to the label. But of the young women who disagreed, they felt the label was an obstacle getting in the way of their interactions with certain people, or they put their priority on dealing with other stereotypes first, such as those that come with being a woman of color. To us, it did not sound as if anyone was against feminism at all, but, rather, struggling with the costs and benefits of what it means as opposed to what it’s supposed to mean.

Feminism2.0 is trying to define a new feminism for the 21st century, one that empowers all women so we can work together to advocate for societal change. Alas, there was so much to be said and too little time at the NCCWSL, so Fem2.0 will continue this particular conversation this Sunday, during our weekly online event.

Ambivalence about Twitter

We love Twitter: It’s a wonderful advocacy tool, where every tweet is like sending a signal out into the universe about your issue, to which any sort of unimaginable alien would respond.

We hate Twitter: When we need it most, it let’s us down by being unbearably slow or snatching away the search function, which makes us lose track of any ongoing conversations, such as Fem2.0 Twittercasts.

So, this week, instead of the regular Fem2.0 Twittercast, we’re going to try something different: a Cover It Live chat on the front page of the Fem2.0 website. For those of you in our community who have been chafing at the 140-character limit on the Twitter platform, there’s no such limit this time. Here’s your chance to let your words spill forth!
 

No ambivalence about the Fem2.0 blog

Meanwhile on the Fem2.0 blog, we have several intriguing and important posts:

It’s Not About You, by Madama Ambi
Women Beware: Virtual Strip Search Coming to U.S. Airports Everywhere, by Deborah Pierce
The Box, by Madama Ambi

See you Sunday!