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From: cme@cloud9.Stratus.COM (Carl Ellison)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: Definition of feminism, can a man be a feminist?
Keywords: feminism men definition
Message-ID: <5468@cloud9.Stratus.COM>
Date: 5 Jun 89 15:08:12 GMT
References: <4960@umd5.umd.edu>
Sender: news@aerospace.aero.org
Reply-To: cme@cloud9.Stratus.COM (Carl Ellison)
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc., Marlboro, MA
Lines: 35
Approved: nadel@aspen.aero.org
Status: R

In article <4960@umd5.umd.edu>, cwilliam@umd5.umd.edu (Chris Williamson) writes:
>
>     As a male supporter of women's rights, I often get in this arguement. 
> Being the only male in some upper level "female studies" courses at the Univ.
> of Maryland, I constantly find myself being besieged with little or no 
> defense as to why I have a "right" to take women's studies courses and if
> I can truely call myself a feminist, or even a supporter of women's rights.

>                                  - Chris Williamson
>                                    cwilliam@umd5.umd.edu


The question seems moot to me.

You may call yourself a feminist just as I call myself one.  I don't know your
reasons.  Mine are simple:

1.  I have a daughter.

2.  When I look back at women I agree with and those I disagree with, the
    former tend to be fiminists and the latter traditionalists.

But the real point is:  you can call yourself whatever you please.  That's
your choice.

On the other hand, the label you (or I) choose to use does not generate
acceptance by any group of women who choose to use the same label.  If it's
this that you're looking for (as I was once), I would suggest you re-examine
your motives.



--Carl Ellison                      UUCP::  cme@cloud9.Stratus.COM
SNail:: Stratus Computer; 55 Fairbanks Blvd.; Marlborough MA 01752
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