Second Wave Feminist

 

     I, personally have been on the fence with the word feminist and the feminist perspective. According to Sellnow (2010), a feminist is anyone (male or female) whose beliefs and actions challenge hegemony by respecting and valuing women as well as respecting and valuing both men and women who embrace and enact multiple gender styles and sexualities (139). Hegemony (dominant ideology) which is reinforced and reproduced by both women and men-simultaneously empowers men and oppresses women as well as both men and women who do not behave in stereotypically gender appropriate ways (p.139). The feminist perspective focuses on the taken-for-granted as “normal” roles and rules for men and women in society (p. 139). What is causing me to be on the fence is the second wave, and what occurred within the feminist movement itself at that time.

     I feel the first wave appears to benefit women the most. The women who made up the movement got together and stood for something. They wanted change, according to Sellnow (2010), the primary goal of first wave feminism was to secure the right to vote (p. 142). This movement made it possible to start the legal aspects of women getting the right to do something without being tied to their husbands. Even though it appears to be small, it really isn't when it's viewed broadly. 

     The second wave focuses on the goals of equal rights and opportunities for women and men (p. 142). What is surprising about the “equal rights” part is how President Kennedy was working on the Civil Right Act of 1964 prior to his assassination. The Civil Right Act was not only for African Americans, but for all women and men (Kabramson, 2022). However, Kennedy wasn't able to have it pass (2022). Instead, President Johnson, as a memorial for Kennedy, was able to get it to pass and become law. In this aspect, men also played a part in obtaining some rights for women. It wasn't solely the feminist movement. So it begs the question, which event led to women getting “equal rights” or at least the start of it?

     One thing that stands out in my mind about the second wave is how it appears women within the movement oppressed themselves. By oppressed, I'm referring to how some women would call other women anti-feminists if their ideals didn't line up to a perceived definition. For example, if a woman decided to stay home and raise a family, she was considered anti-feminist. Which, in itself goes against what the feminist were wanted to do by challenging hegemony. Instead, gatekeeping was observed and women were marginalized. 

                                     References 

Kabramson. (2022). The Civil Right Act Of 1964. The JFK Library Archives: An Inside Look. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library And Museum. National Archives. Retrieved From https://share.google/2gXXn8cXiimYHMN7x

Sellnow, Deanna D. (2010). The Rhetorical Power Of Popular Culture. Chapter 7: Feminist Perspective. PDF. Retrieved from Canvas. Southern Utah University.