Author Targets Stereotyping

Gazing across a crowd of roughly 100 people at the Union’s Fireside Lounge, Jessica Valenti chuckles, recalling a moment that might be too embarrassing to share.  Composing herself, she goes on to tell a tale from her childhood.

At six years old, Valenti, a feminist author and creator of the website Feministing, came home one day crying.  When her father asked what was wrong, she replied, with sobs wracking each word, “I can’t do anything.” She thought, because she was a girl, she couldn’t build a robot.  Her father immediately went out and bought her one and they built it together.  That day, Valenti said she learned girls can do anything boys can do.

Valenti, who has written three books, contributed to national publications, and appeared on The Colbert Report, was brought to campus by student group Act Everywhere on May 4.  She discussed feminist stereotypes and how young people, not just women, can get involved.

Feminism has long carried a negative connotation as a movement full of man haters and women who don’t shave their legs or armpits.  Valenti said that is just not true.  The stereotypes were created as a strategic move to keep young women away from feminism.

The feminist movement is also broadening its horizons.  The fight for gender equality has spread to social justice as a whole, including issues like homophobia, racism, and classism.

Even with the expansion, reproductive health issues still dominate much of the feminist rhetoric.  Governor Scott Walker’s proposed budget could cut money from family planning centers and stop contraceptives from being included in Wisconsin health care plans.

Valenti said every community has its own needs.  She said it’s up to young activists to find out what those needs are and follow their passions.

Feminists are not Man Haters

The dictionary cites feminism as the doctrine advocating for the social, political, and all other rights of women to equal those of men.  Valenti asked the predominantly female audience to list names or words commonly associated with feminism.  Terms like man hater, lesbian, hairy, ugly, and bra burner were mentioned.

Valenti even recalled a story from her college days when she was talking with a guy in a bar.  She had shared that she was a feminist, so the man lifted her arm to check her armpit for hair.

“These tired, old stereotypes are all young women know,” said Valenti.

She said, as a result, many women just won’t identify themselves as feminists.

Valenti said anti-feminists use these stereotypes strategically in order to keep young women away from feminism.  She said they wouldn’t use them if they didn’t feel threatened.

“Society is telling you that this is a really horrible thing,” Valenti said.  “In fact, it actually could help you and make your life better.”

Valenti hoped, that by being informal, funny, and relating personal anecdotes, girls would connect with feminism.

Social Justice

The feminist movement has also stepped outside its box of strictly women’s rights issues.

“I see feminism as a part of social justice,” said grad student Rae Ann Anderson.  “To me, it relates to the environment, it relates to the economy, it relates to everything.”

Valenti said abortion and rape are important topics, but they aren’t the only ones.  She went on to list racism, transgender rights, classism, and homophobia.

“You can’t do away with one without doing away with them all,” she said.

However, the fight for gender equality is far from over.  Valenti said people often question why she is a feminist because they think women have gained equality.  They don’t understand why everyone is still complaining.  In her presentation, Valenti mentioned several examples.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s proposed budget could cut funding from family planning centers like Planned Parenthood.  It could also repeal a contraceptive equity law that requires health care plans in the state that cover prescription drugs to also include contraceptives.

Introduced to Congress in its most recent session, HR358, or the Protect Life Act, would allow a hospital the right to refuse to perform emergency abortions, when necessary, to save the life of a woman.

Activism

Valenti created the website Feministing seven years ago because she said she wanted young feminists to have a voice.  She doesn’t consider herself old, but at 32, has now turned much of the site’s content over to younger women.

Valenti said she hopes these steps will help give younger women more institutional power.  To achieve this, though, she said the movement needs funding.  Most of the resources allocated to feminist organizations usually go to older feminists.

Act Everywhere is a multi-issue student group that is interested in different forms of justice and how they work together.  Member Beth Robinson said it was important to bring Valenti to campus because she is one of the few prominent young feminists.

“We have a number of feminists who were really active in the 60’s and 70’s,” she said.  “But there’s been sort of an absence of young voices to speak about issues of feminism.  On a college campus like ours, it seems like it’s really important to have that young voice.”

Valenti said college is often a time when young people find activism.  She said every community is different, so students have to figure out what their individual communities need.

“For someone it might mean lobbying their college’s health center to have condoms with safe sex messages on them,” she said.  “For other people it might mean promoting anti-racism workshops.”

In a question-and-answer session following her presentation, Valenti offered advice to a number of students.

One woman complained that a morning after pill from Walgreen’s cost $50.  As a college student, she said she didn’t have a lot of money available to pay for that.  Valenti advised her to take the issue up with her insurance company.

Another student had travelled to UWM from a small Catholic college.  She told a story about how she and a group of girls wanted to do the Vagina Monologues on their campus, but the administration forbid them from doing so.

Valenti said for this issue, and countless others, students should work outside the administration.  She suggested they:

• Hold meetings or events off campus.
• Alert the local media about issues.
• Form a women’s group.
• Reach out to other groups on campus to learn about what they do.

Anderson said she tries to lead by example when it comes to getting others to accept feminism.

“I try to be the best feminist I can and be open about my motives and try to educate others around me,” she said.

Student Andrew Cox has taken a women’s studies class and read one of Valenti’s books.  As a guy, he said it’s important to defend feminism.

“When I’m around males, if they make subtle sexist remarks or show sexist behavior, I try to call them out on that,” he said.

Valenti advised feminists that find it difficult to deal with the negativity to just ignore it.  She said to continue to educate those that remain wary of feminism.

“They do hear it,” she said.  “It’s making an impact.”