Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!ames!elroy!aero!aspen!nadel
From: nadel@aspen.aero.org (Miriam Nadel)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Definition of feminism, can a man be a feminist?
Keywords: feminism men definition
Message-ID: <4960@umd5.umd.edu>
Date: 2 Jun 89 15:11:35 GMT
Sender: news@aerospace.aero.org
Reply-To: cwilliam@umd5.umd.edu (Christopher Williamson)
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park
Lines: 19
Approved: nadel@aspen.aero.org
Status: R


    I would like to know your feelings on wether a man can ever be considered
a feminist, and if so what exactly defines feminism.

    The American Heritage Dictionary defines feminism as "a militant advocacy of
equal rights and status for women."  I disagree with this definition especially
the term militant, which, from the same dictionary, is defined as "fighting or 
warring."  This definition implies violence as well as a derogatory.  Militant 
conjures up images, at least for me, of the PLO and other terrorist 
organizations.  Although perhaps militant/fighting/warring can be viewed as 
the underdog 'fighting' for a just cause, as feminism is.

    I have been told by different people, men and women, that "men will never
fully understand," which I agree with; however, whites can never fully
understand the plight of the blacks earlier in our nation's history and, yet, 
many prominent whites helped in the struggle to correct injustices.

    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.

    I thank you greatly for your input and look forward to seeing this
newsgroup doing well.
                                 - Chris Williamson
                                   cwilliam@umd5.umd.edu