"I'm not a feminist, but..."

[owlmoose]

So there's this discussion of women characters in video games going on today, and for the most part it's respectful and interesting and thought provoking, but one of my buttons has been pushed, and so I feel compelled to post a link to one of my favorite essays ever. It should be required reading. Seriously. Take a few minutes. It's a fast read, I promise.

Yes, You Are

Comments

[mneme-forgets.livejournal.com]

I guess what I really meant was does it matter that people don't use that label if they espouse the same beliefs as those that would apply to the ideal definition of a "feminist"?

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

Because labels are useful. It's much easier to connect with people if you have a simple word to describe yourself, one that everyone can understand. If I can say "I am a feminist" without then having to spend fifteen minutes explaning exactly what I mean by that, conversation can move forward more quickly. It's a useful shorthand, and we should feel comfortable using it.