I Have Never Burned My Bra, but I’m a Feminist

Sorted under random acts of activism on July 8, 2009

While blog hopping in the very early morning hours today, I came across Momversation; a space where popular mommy bloggers take on whatever topic happens to be on their minds or prominent in the media and talk about it via video.

While browsing through the videos, I saw pretty much what I expected to see–Michael Jackson and the debacle over who should retain custody over his children, in-laws, having friends who don’t have children while you have children, men, books, movies, and etcetra. Something I found that I was not expecting, however, was a topic started by Mindy of The Mommy Blog asking, ‘Are You a Feminist?‘

And oh yes, I was intrigued. In most cases, whenever people get together to talk you’re supposed to refrain from two topics–religion and politics; feminism definitely had a tendency to run side-by-side with politics. Normally when you get more than a couple people talking about feminism, you hear a whole host of misinformation and of course, the “requirements” needed in order to officially be given your feminist card.



Overall, the conversation in the video is great. I love that feminism’s roots were mentioned and also how important it is to remember the women who fought on the front lines during the women’s liberation movement. But two separate comments made several times throughout the video, and I guess set the tone of what the mass population thinks feminism is, really got to me.

Firstly, and I suppose less important (although it bugs the hell out of me!), in order to earn your feminist card, you are not required to burn a bra. You are, however, required to burn all of your bras, hanging off of a giant crucifix positioned on your front lawn. You must also never shave any part of your body for any reason, and you are immediately kicked out of the club if you ever wear skirts, dresses, heels, pantyhose, stockings, and so forth. Yes folks, that was sarcasm.

Burning bras have become such a cliche when it comes to feminism and while sure, it became a cliche for a reason, we need to check the calendar, do some research on the amazing things being done in the name of and for feminism today. It is high time to realize that feminism is not about burning your bra or going hairy-legged. And most of all, it is not about hating men; it is the complete opposite.

Now onto the bigger issue I have here. Feminism is definitely about equal rights among the genders. However, feminism is definitely not only about equal rights among the genders.

Put your pitchforks away, I’m not done.

Of course, feminism is most definitely about ensuring that women are being paid the same as their male counterparts in the same careers and positions; anything less is unacceptable. The same goes for career privileges, such as health care, any additional rewards or compensation, and also paid maternity leave. When we think about equality of the sexes, we immediately think of equal pay for equal work, but how about the right for a woman to walk down the street to the store, pick up a few groceries, and walk back home without a car beeping or someone yelling catcalls at her?

When we say that we need equality of the genders, that goes right into sexism, how we try and sentence sexual assault cases and violence against women cases and whether or not we even try and sentence sexual assault and violence cases; we also run into race equality, body image, and yes, reproductive rights.

Feminism is merely the umbrella where conversations and activism can congregate on all social issues that affect women and their families–and yes, that includes men.



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  • christianlouboutin
    I watched video and its bit interesting i support feminist
  • Oh, great post, great topic! Feminism discussions on most forums/blogs make me crazy, because I see so so many variations of the "I'm not a feminist because...." and then the laundry list of why not (which you mentioned above) comes out. I usually make one post, along the lines of "I wear makeup sometimes, I like perfume most times, I shave my legs when I'm feeling unlazy, I love video games, I've watched porn, and yes, I'm a feminist. And if you believe that women should have equal rights, equal opportunities, and are equal (not *the same*, but equal), period....then I have news for ya, you're a feminist too." And then I back away from the discussion before the responses cause me to shoot myself!
  • residentialinvestmentbrisbane
    It's frustrating to hear the old "I'm not a feminist, but…" because feminism is still so pertinent and important in our lives. Women earn 77 cents to the male dollar -- so much for the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which was passed by Congress to put an end to wage discrimination based on gender
  • Thanks for useful information! It helps me so much.
  • Useful information! It may help many people got troubles.
  • rosehensnightgoldcoast
    I tend to say "I'm not a feminist, but..." because I'm afraid of real feminists.In my own mind I do consider myself a very strong feminist, but the feminist community is so harsh on anyone claiming to be a feminist who doesn't understand all their esoteric concepts and lingo that I shy away from calling myself a feminist in order not to be pounced upon. Yes, in the strict sense of the word, I am a feminist, but I am not a female supremacist. I like the term "equalist." Yet I used that term on a feminist website and found myself completely ostracised. I find my humanist concepts easier to explain and live with. And being a humanist is about rights and equality, which kind of comes back into being a feminist anyway.
  • manchesterescorts
    Great post, very informative. I think a lot of people will find this very useful.Keep post in coming future as well!!!
  • video was great:)
  • Thanks for the post. Bralessness was so easily trivialized. I remember one Illinois legislator was quoted in the 1970s, responding to an Equal Rights Amendment lobbyist, calling feminists "braless, brainless broads." Bralessness was out; working for the ERA was in. But the myth of the burning bra continued, and speculating on why that legend is perpetuated is another matter for women's history. It is very interesing what will be futher.
  • Thank you for picking up on that. I cringed every time! It's not about that, but for many it's an easy catchphrase and one way to NOT get into a serious political discussion. :)
  • I think Michelle Obama has had an impact on feminism as President Obama has had an impact on volunteerism and public service. The First Lady seems to be comfortable in her role without seeming to surrender her own sense of self and skill set to a secondary position. Is she the new face of a new perspective of feminism.
  • @Rick
    You are right Rick, Michelle is the new face a totally new perspective about feminism. She has an amazing persona , she is still the very original Michelle obama as what she was before becoming the first lady.
  • Bra-fuckin'-vo, Holly. I try to avoid those "are you a feminist?" conversations because I break out in hives. ;) I am 'one of those feminists' that doesn't shave or wear heels or make-up and questions the reasons behind doing those things, but it certainly isn't a prerequisite of being a feminist! :P
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