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From: xrarp@amarna.gsfc.nasa.gov (Aliza R. Panitz)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Am I a feminist?
Keywords: post-feminist
Message-ID: <3081@dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Date: 10 Aug 90 20:21:40 GMT
Reply-To: xrarp@amarna.gsfc.nasa.gov
Organization: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD, USA
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All of this talk about "who is a feminist" has gotten me thinking.
I do not consider myself a feminist.  I consider most self-described
"feminists" to be misguided radical extremists.

But consider...
a)  I am a scientific programmer.  I took a high dose of math/science
    in high school, and then bounced through several "techie" majors
    in college.
b)  I got my job in open, fair competition with all other applicants.
    My project manager is female, and there are several female
    mid-level managers.
c)  I vote.  Some of my elected representatives are female.
d)  I have credit cards and a mortgage in my own name, gotten on the
    strength of my own record.
e)  [I could go on, but I think my point is clear.]

I TAKE ALL OF THESE THINGS FOR GRANTED.  These things are right, it
is the way things "should" be, and although I know that until
recently it was not so, I lack a certain basic appreciation for the
struggles of the generations of feminists who won these rights for
me.  I know that many wrongs have not yet been righted, but I'm
content with the status quo.

I've heard my position described as "post-feminist."   I know from
history that most revolutions fall apart when concessions are made
that satisfy the moderates and alienate the radicals.  I'm a
satisfied moderate.  Am I typical of the younger generation???

- - - -
Aliza R. Panitz                                 Obligatory Wasted Bandwidth
xrarp@amarna.gsfc.nasa.gov