Feminism is a tough issue to talk about because in many people's minds, to criticize feminists in any way makes you a bigot and a hatemonger. Let me say that in this column I do not mean to insult anyone or demean the women's movement as it exists in most women's minds. I mean to expose the modern feminist movement for what it is -- a movement of extremists to advance an extremist agenda.
In the past, the feminist movement has been a positive thing. It helped get women the rights they enjoy today. In addition, the stereotype of the housewife of the '50s is gone. The women who fought for equal rights won their battles and moved on with their lives. It is these women whom I salute.
However, the modern feminist movement has an entirely new meaning. The feminist of the '90s does not represent who the mainstream woman is or what she wants. The modern feminists (including those of the NOW gang) are angry and bitter women who want to force their views on a society which does not accept them. They believe men are innately bad and women should not rely on men for anything. The more extreme ones even go so far as to call motherhood the "enslavement" of women.
Feminists want to throw human nature out the window. They consider things like marriage and motherhood to be demeaning. Why? Because both these things have set roles for men and women which differ. In addition, both of these things involve men in some fashion.
If you doubt this, look at the feminist view on abortion. They say they believe it is a woman's right to choose. But when someone tries to persuade a woman not to abort the child, the feminists become enraged. If the notion of choice is truly the objective, then why should it matter that the woman may want tocarry the child to term? Because militant feminists revel in the abortion. Abortion is the feminists' best way to advance their view that men are not necessary. They want to turn abortion into solely a women's issue rather than a family issue or a human issue.
To further prove that feminists do not represent women in America, look at the way they act when a woman expresses dissent with the feminist viewpoint. They are not supportive of her, but attack her and refer to her as a threat to the women's movement.
A striking example of this was recently featured on "60 Minutes." Noted author and professor Camille Paglia is a bisexual woman who has long sought to bring reform to the feminist movement. She has said the modern feminist movement defines women as victims and refuses to acknowledge the innate differences between men and women. For this, she has been ostracized and ridiculed by Gloria Steinem and others in the "mainstream" feminist crowd.
Finally, look at the way feminists have defined sexual harassment. As far as they're concerned, a simple glance or even a compliment regarding appearance is sexist. If a man opens a door for a woman, he is considered to be a chauvinist.
Feminism is, however, self-defeating. When feminists attack a woman because she wears makeup or chooses to be a full-time mother, they are hurting themselves and proving they are not truly interested in women's rights. In truth, the militant feminists of today are interested in advancing their agenda, regardless of what the mainstream of women (or America) thinks.
