Is Elizabeth a feminist? Am I a feminist . . . or a Feminist . . . and if so, is that first, second, or third wave feminism? Or a post-Feminist or a never was anything-ist?
These were the questions I found myself struggling with during my brief visit to Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green where I met a lot of very nice folks and was treated royally. And where I found myself talking to a class on women's studies and part of a discussion of feminism in detective fiction.
I've been away from academia for so very long -- over forty years -- that I'd forgotten all this stuff. If, indeed, I ever knew it. As I told my hosts, Ms. magazine came out just in time for me to read the first issue while I was in labor with my first child. And somehow, between children and back-to-the-land farm life, Feminism just isn't a word that has played a part in my day to day existence.
Had I remained in the working world; had I gone on and gotten my PhD. and taught at the college level, I have no doubt that the question of gender equality would have played a much larger part in my life. And while I do know that the glass ceiling continues to be a reality, that the struggle for equality isn't over here in the U.S., I'm far more concerned with the truly wretched life women in places like Afghanistan or parts of Africa must endure.
The thing is, that for me . . . and by extension, for Elizabeth . . . the label of feminist seems. . . well, maybe unnecessary. I haven't ever felt held back or discriminated against because of my gender. Maybe I just need my consciousness raised.
But I'll gladly accept the label for myself and for Elizabeth if for no other reason than that the F-word makes Rush Limbaugh twitch and foam at the mouth. I would be proud to be counted in with those fine women!
These were the questions I found myself struggling with during my brief visit to Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green where I met a lot of very nice folks and was treated royally. And where I found myself talking to a class on women's studies and part of a discussion of feminism in detective fiction.
I've been away from academia for so very long -- over forty years -- that I'd forgotten all this stuff. If, indeed, I ever knew it. As I told my hosts, Ms. magazine came out just in time for me to read the first issue while I was in labor with my first child. And somehow, between children and back-to-the-land farm life, Feminism just isn't a word that has played a part in my day to day existence.
Had I remained in the working world; had I gone on and gotten my PhD. and taught at the college level, I have no doubt that the question of gender equality would have played a much larger part in my life. And while I do know that the glass ceiling continues to be a reality, that the struggle for equality isn't over here in the U.S., I'm far more concerned with the truly wretched life women in places like Afghanistan or parts of Africa must endure.
The thing is, that for me . . . and by extension, for Elizabeth . . . the label of feminist seems. . . well, maybe unnecessary. I haven't ever felt held back or discriminated against because of my gender. Maybe I just need my consciousness raised.
But I'll gladly accept the label for myself and for Elizabeth if for no other reason than that the F-word makes Rush Limbaugh twitch and foam at the mouth. I would be proud to be counted in with those fine women!
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