Short Response: A Job Well Done-Feb 1st

Patrick Campbell

From the beginning of this course until now, we have read articles and books by women who articulately scribe their experiences and feelings regarding the transition of feminism from the days of no women’s rights through modern day feminism and feminism going forward. The article by Rebecca Walker “Becoming the Third Wave” in The Essential Feminist Reader by Estelle B. Freedman, is my favorite example to date of a feminist who understands that it is not a race, but rather a marathon (as I stated in my previous post). Walker “rejected the idea of “post feminism” and worked to engage young women in politics.” She also portrays the importance of strong feministic persistence, which is crucial for attaining many of her goals, one being a model for the Third Wave of feminism. Walker’s experience on a train really opened broadened my perspective of men’s effect on women regarding the way we speak of them, especially in public. Growing up as a male in college, I see many instances of male individuals slandering women through sexual conversations of their own intimate experiences with women. When you hear a male in a group of other males say “I scored last night,” the next thing you hear is another guy asking him “how it was, how were here boobs, her butt etc” (usually in a more derogatory way). This type of conversation is a main reason why people perceive women as objects of sex or just something to look at, much like Mr. Heffner’s take on playmates. All in all, women like Rebecca Walker, not showing fear in her beliefs and standing up to men in any given situation, serves as the model feminist in the modern day world and going forward.

Our prior readings showed a case in which women sought out men to aid them in their feminist fight and struggle. Rebecca Walker is my favorite model of a feminist going forward because she shows that women must stick together and create change on their own. This is shown when she states that women must “not vote for them unless they work for us, do not have sex with them, do not break bread with them.” Walker is demanding change and the coming together of women to yield results, and this is absolutely crucial from my perspective.