Whoa-----from "Seventeen" magazine "Are You A Feminist?

[malthaussen]

10. But I have to reiterate, I make no such argument.

In point of fact, I agree with you about the specific nature of feminism. And have made no suggestion that the accomplishments of feminism be stolen away and placed elsewhere.

I have made the personal statement that I am a humanist. Because I am a humanist, my ethical stance incorporates the goals of feminism. It also incorporates the goals of many other "isms." Now, most feminists I know also embrace the goals of other isms. So feminism qua feminism is not necessarily exclusivist, in the sense that any given feminist need not be wedded only to the goals of feminism. Feminism is only "exclusive" then, in the sense you have described, and so far we agree.

Not only does "feminism contribute to humanism," but I would argue that feminism has succeeded in pushing the boundaries of complacent (and historically male-dominated) humanism, or at least in serving as a little bit of a poke in the ribs to encourage self-identified humanists to broaden their vision. Over the course of a few centuries, humanism has had continually to revise the definition of "human," as a glance at the US Constitution will demonstrate.

With no wish to offend, I very much fear you are addressing arguments you expect to hear when the point of humanism and feminism is raised, rather than any argument I have actually made. But hey, you don't know me.

-- Mal