Introduction to feminism

 

Everyday Sexism

Watch the Everyday Sexism TED talk from Laura Bates (linked above) and answer the following questions:

1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?

Bates started this projects as she has been assaulted (verbally/sexually) in a sexual manner. She wanted to see whether women are equal in todays society and also wanted other people to come out and talk about their past encounters.

2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?

Post-feminism is where feminists strive to tackle against gender inequality and aim to make a equal community. Everyday Sexism aims to do the same by making a much more fair society, and helping people by spreading awareness about the sexual misconducts carried out.

3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project?

In my opinion, I think that technology was an important part in the success of the Everyday Sexism project, as this helped people gain the  confidence to come out and tell people about the harassment that they have experienced. Also, it helped people gain insight on what it is like to go through this treatment so they can speak out and make people aware that this isn't right. 

4) Will there be a point in the future when the Everyday Sexism project is not required? What is YOUR view on the future of feminism?

In my opinion, I think projects like Everyday Sexism will always be required as there are always toxic people in the society who will assault women and promote gender inequality, and so having a platform where we can make people aware of these issues and where past victims can express their feelings. 

In my opinion, I think the future of feminism will result is more campaign and more people identifying as feminists. However there will be some issues as there are different types of feminists so they may have conflict with each other.  

Media Magazine: The fourth wave?

1) Summarise the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?

Network feminism is the fourth wave of feminism. They aim to tackle social equality and the issues found on technology and promoting this through online campaigns on social media using '#'. People mostly use Twitter to post ideologies. A problem is that many people do not know what feminism really is. There are also many types of feminists e.g. liberal feminists who try to achieve public equality in society. This creates a divisions between the different types of feminists, perhaps causing conflict between themselves.  

2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave of ‘networked feminism’? 

1. The first wave - late 19th century to early 20th century - focused on the suffragette movement.
2. The second wave - 1960's campaigned for equal rights, leading to equal pay act of 1970.
3. The third wave - around the 1990's (post-feminism) women empowerment.
4. The fourth wave - 2010 - ongoing,(networking feminism) which aims to tackle inequality using the media.

In my opinion, I think we are in the fourth wave of feminism. This is is because more people and celebrities promote these messages online through there social media pages, to create this awareness, and also using the '#' sign to spread there campaign.  

3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a short summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.

Everyday Sexism

This project was started by Laura Bates in 2012. She started this as she experienced verbal and physical sexual misconduct and felt that she needed to make people aware of these problems in our society and also wanted other victims to feel the comfort to tell their experiences. She established the website so people can get their voices heard and had 50,000 people come out talk about the sexism they received.

HeForShe

The campaign is run by Emma Watson and is about creating an equal society and not only about females. She also used males to get this message of feminism across. She used Twitter for a Q&A session. This received criticism as it focuses on the men suggesting that women aren't strong and rely on men, reinforcing these stereotypes.

FCKH8 campaign

This campaign focuses on the modern day representation of girls and all the inequalities in the society that they go through. This was a video which showed a young girl 'F-bombing' to create awareness of this inequality.

This Girl Can

This campaign is focused on fitness and does not discriminate them about their body. An online petition 'Stop taxing periods. Period' to not tax tampons as they are an essential item.

4) What is your opinion with regards to feminism and new/digital media? Do you agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism post-2010 or are recent developments like the Everyday Sexism project merely an extension of the third wave of feminism from the 1990s?

In my opinion, I agree with the 'forth wave of feminism' as using the media and technology as a platform to make people aware of the inequality that exists is a good way to promote campaigns as many people use social media, so awareness is bound to be created. Projects like Everyday Sexism is in the 'fourth wave of feminism' as it relies and uses technology/the media to promote their ideologies.