I’m a cis male and I believe in the importance of feminism, but I hesitate to call myself a feminist because it seems like there is a presumption of understanding women’s experiences as if I was part of the Me Too movement. In some binary sense given how hateful and shitty men can be I’m absolutely a feminist, but I wouldn’t declare myself to be one. What is your standpoint?
No I’m not a feminist.
Feminism has had several waves with varying ideology behind it and I definitely don’t agree with all of the ideals espoused by feminists.
I’m a humanist egalitarian which better describes my position.
What ideals don’t you agree with?
I somewhat recognize my own position in the message above and to me it’s not so much about not being a feminist, as it is that I’ve seen too many people calling themselves feminist while proceeding to do things like: call all men pigs, be transphobic, generally try to push down others in an attempt to rise themselves. If by feminist you mean “for equality between men and women (and all others)”, then sure I can agree to that, but I’m not sure that’s the best way to describe that position anymore
Well TERFs are feminists.
Humanist egalitarianism is a (I hope) clear stance on human rights for all and social measures to address inequality for anyone based on their individual circumstances.
It’s not a view that is clear from feminism where you for example have liberal feminism, libertarian feminism and egalitarian feminism.
There are deacdes of ideology built up within different feminist beliefs that require nuance to differentiate, and misteps associated with some of those movements that I don’t feel the need to associate with.
I don’t think TERFs are feminists try as they like to say they are. They are literally against some women have rights.
No True Scotsman isn’t a great way to address the existence of TERFs and isn’t likely to change how I describe my beliefs.
I thought you might respond with something more interesting to be honest.
I mean it’s the only part of what you said that I disagree with. I don’t have much else to say beyond you shouldn’t let weirdo freaks take labels for themselves and we should proudly claim to be feminists because capitulating these things to bigots just entrenches them in the conversation further.