The Observer, March 31, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 22
Manifesta authors discuss thongs, feminism at Center for Women event
click to enlarge
Chocolate, women, and politics served as three key ingredients in the creation of a successful evening of lecture and discussion last Monday. In celebration of Women's History Month, interested listeners from the Case community and surrounding Cleveland area gathered in front of a chocolate fondue fountain in the Thwing 1914 Lounge to hear from authors and feminist activists Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards. Baumgardner and Richards have been praised for their ability to "speak the language of a new generation of feminists, proving once again that women are committed to continuing to work passionately for social justice."
The authors' lecture was focused around a discussion of their book, Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism and the Future. Baumgardner and Richards explained that they "did not want the novel to be anti-feminist," but they wanted it to express some of their "concerns about feminism." As a basis for these concerns, it was necessary to define feminism. In the first chapter of Manifesta, Baumgardner and Richards refer to a dictionary definition of feminism, which they believed to be appropriate: "a movement concerned with full political, social and economic equality among all people." In addition, they stressed the importance of having access to resources that allow people to make informed decisions about their political beliefs. For the Case audience on Monday evening, Baumgardner and Richards offered a brief history lesson on how feminism has been defined according to three "waves" since the mid-1800s. They identify themselves as members of the "third wave," who believe that it is possible to be a feminist while maintaining a personal identity that may not correspond with a traditional definition of feminism. For instance, in Manifesta, Baumgardner and Richards assert that someone can be a feminist and be pro-life or be a feminist and religious. One of the more amusing examples for the audience was the notion that one can be a feminist and wear a thong. According to Richards, it is possible for someone to be a feminist in varying contexts because "people can be politically motivated without being personally compromised." This type of mentality seeks to discourage people from disregarding feminism as something "radical" and will hopefully elicit more enthusiasm for feminist thought and action in the future.
Baumgardner and Richards were well received at Case. Several students from John Caroll University and residents of the Cleveland area were in attendance, along with approximately 50 Case students. One Case freshman commented that this lecture was the first time she had the opportunity to learn about feminism. Another member of the audience commented during the question and answer session on how helpful the lecture was in allowing her to feel better equipped to explain to her friends what it means to be a feminist and why she chooses to be one.
These two rising stars of third wave feminism have visited over 180 schools to talk about their book. They have appeared on shows like Oprah and Fox's O'Reilly Factor. These young women are the future of feminism, a movement that stresses the importance of tolerance and social justice. Their work serves as a reminder that feminism is not limited to political organizations or activist groups, but it can begin at a personal level.
