BY CAT CAMPAGNA, Sophomore
BLYTHEWOOD -- According to Merriam Webster dictionary feminism is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Over time, feminism has come in waves and segregated itself into groups.
Today, the most identifiable groups of feminism are the radical feminists and the liberal/mainstream feminists otherwise known as fifth-wave feminist. The two parties vary in many ways; mainly on the definition of feminism.
According to Charles Rae’s article “The Differences between Mainstream and Radical Feminism” Radical feminist argue that the definition of feminism is “female class liberation from men”, whereas liberal/mainstream feminists view feminism as the dictionary definition of “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes”.
Because of the stark differences in their interpretations of the ideals of feminism many other differences arose.
For example, liberal/mainstream feminists view feminism as intersectional or involving people of all race, gender, sex, and social class. Radical feminists however think feminism is for cisgender females only (no transgender or nonbinary).
Sophomore Katherine Phillips believes: “I believe any man can be a feminist, even if they can’t empathize on some levels with women,” Phillips said.
Adviser of the Equality club, senior Lauren McDowell said that fifth wave feminism is “White women, but also black women, Latina women, and transgender women. So it’s this all encompassing idea that all women, not just ‘traditional women’ should be represented and upheld.”
Phillips said “Feminism was created to make females equal to men, radical feminism is working to make us above men which isn’t what feminism is”
“Radical feminism is counterproductive, it doesn’t really work. So in my opinion, inclusivity is always the way to go, so fifth-wave feminism is just more efficient.” McDowell said in regards to the difference between radical feminism and fifth wave feminism.
Sophomore Taylor White had a similar opinion. “Radical feminism is a gray area for feminism because some people fully support radical feminism and they think that it’s a little to overboard because a lot of radical feminist don't take into the intersectionality.”
With the idea of radical feminism in mind, many people have adopted the term “femin-nazi”. White replied: “The term femi-nazi is harmful because one nobody wants to be compared to Nazi. Also the term is rude and makes it seem like fighting for equal rights is the same thing as invading Poland and putting thousand of people in concentration camps. There is no comparison between feminists and Nazis."
