December 14, 2014 - 23:21
I think the concept that has intrigued me the most throughout our discussions of international feminism is that to be feminist means you must be anti-capitalist. This is a bold, yet simple statement that has provoked so much dialogue both in the classroom and in my own mind. As self-proclaimed feminist and undeniable contributor to capitalism, I am unsettled by this as it confirms the hipocrisy of my consumerist lifestyle. However, I wonder how I can strive to be anti-capitalist and feminist while living and working in a majorly capitalist society.
Mohanty and Waring both posed ideas that have stuck with me, so they would be my driving sources through the essay. The main questions that I would explore would be as follows: How does this idea of feminism as anti-capitalism shape our understanding of "feminism"? Considering the fact that there is no one, true FEMINISM, what kind of feminist are you in the global picture if you support/perpetuate capitalist practices? What if you have no choice in participating? What would the implications be for women if capitalism were overturned? What would be the better economical alternative to capitalism (build off of Waring's own anti-capitalist practices)?