Reply to comment

Hello there, Laura,

You are always keeping me on my toes. Your responses encourage me to be more speculative and thoughtful, so thank you!

In regards to your reply, I see what you are saying that there is no way to explain feminism, but I think that is only because feminists rather not articulate the essence of feminism because everyone's 'feminism' varies.

I would not want anyone to explain what it means for me to be a woman now, at 19 yrs old, because I know what it means to be a woman. This feeling of womanliness, however, was first explained to me by several people: my mother, my high school health teacher, my doctor etc. When I was younger, my mother sat down with me and explained to me the transition from teenager to womanhood. In health class, I learned about hygiene for woman. All of these issues, I know now, are part of what it means to be a woman.

I do not have a diathesis towards feminism as I do with womanhood; I was biologically born as a woman and I socially identify as a woman and this is not the case for feminism. I was not born a feminist (Is anyone?) and I often doubt whether or not I am a feminist. Thus, to be a woman and to be a feminist are two VERY different things. So to answer your question, Laura, YES; I would need someone to explain to me what it means to be feminist just as I would need someone to demonstrate liberalism or patriotism. In fact, I did have others explain to me what it means to be patriotic and what it means to be liberal; it is not a feeling I had that told me that I was one or the other. I know I learned about patriotism when I first read it in a history textbook. My teacher explained it to me. Liberalism was also explained to me in a similar context: a history course. I learned what makes someone 'liberal'. later on in life, observing political debates and presidental elections... I learned why people identify as liberal or conservative. I learned the ideals that  make someone a democrat or a republican.

If someone were to come up to me at this age and ask me "what is like being a woman?" or "how do you feel being a woman?" I would be able to answer it confidently. The answer, however, would differ if asked to other woman. Similarly, if someone walked up to Obama and asked "Why are you a democrat?" or "Why are you patriotic?" I am sure he could artriculate what it means. What's so special about feminism? Why cannot a feminist explain to someone the issues that concern a feminist? 

Feminism may be something so natural to you that the concept is unexplainable. I, however, was first introduced to feminism in this course, so everything is confusing and entirely ambiguous. The issues raised in this course are ones that I was not familiar with until attending Bryn Mawr.

To better understand, though, I am "questioning the foundational aspects of my life" when I ask others to tell me about the reasons they identify as feminists. I do not think that I will continue on with my life until...one day, suddenly, I will have the feeling-- that particular feeling that tells me I am a feminist. Or will I?