I think modern feminism does more harm than good, since it is what makes separation visible in the first place. Since I view separation as the root of virtually every problem in human history, I would therefore consider myself a “humanist” who views all people—regardless of gender, skin color, origin, or other characteristics that could serve to create separation—as equal. We must overcome this division.

Yes 100% bc the literal definition of feminism is the equal treatment for all genders. I don’t go around just telling people that. They can probably just tell I am bc I’m not shitty to a specific gender…

I agree about avoiding knighting ourselves with the title of feminist because it’s absolutely something some aggressors use to lower their target’s guard, and because it’s easy to call yourself something to gain social standing and then not deliver when the time comes

Otherwise absolutely do read feminist theory and act according to feminist convictions. Doing so without making it about yourself being one of the good one only makes it better

In my humble enby opinion you can call yourself a feminist if you believe in equality between genders. There are many flavours of feminism and they often contradict each other. You will never be a perfect feminist in every feminists’ eyes. And you shouldn’t try to be.

No. I would not. I don’t like the label - but I’m in no way opposed to their position. Rather smugly I’d like to claim I’m an egalitarian.

I think in the purest sense yes, a general platform of equality for genders.

However I’m growing increasingly cynical and wary of continuing to advocate more in this direction. Not that it’s inherently wrong, it’s that the movement has been co-opted by the capitalists. Very swift to make sure women still bear all of their responsibilities, now also must enter the workforce in order to make a combined living family income. Yet no additional social supports. Men’s gender roles changing in society, but absolutely no future planning or accommodation for what men are supposed to change into, or what role to take.

We are slaves and I think it’s always important to remember that. We get the scraps we’re allowed. And all of the forward progress isn’t as forward as we want to self-smugly believe. We are still being played as the underclass.

Would you call yourself a feminist?

Yes.

Anyway the “shaming men for being feminists”/“only women can be feminists” thing is absolutely a thing the fascists have peddled to cripple feminism.

Yes, of course. I don’t feel the need to lead with it unprompted because that’s not where I focus my attention in terms of advocacy, but:

1. Anyone who isn’t a male chauvinist is a feminist by process of elimination
2. As a bicycling advocate, feminism comes with the territory because biking was a big part of the women’s lib movement back in the Victorian era. (Quick explainer, deeper dive)

In the sense of “do women deserve equal treatment in society?” 100%!

I idolized my grandmothers as a kid, and they did a better job raising me than my actual parents. Both sides of the family always seemed much more matriarchal to me.

The one time I was ever in charge of anything was at a fairly sexist job and I repeatedly fought to get the ladies’ pay more in line with the guys, I reported a few people to HR for making my staff uncomfortable, and I ensured the one employee got a private lactation area after she had a baby.

Now I volunteer with animal rehab, and that is a field that is about 90% women, and they are all so badass, compassionate, they do every job, and come from every walk of life.

To see all I’ve seen and to not think anyone deserves the same treatment as me because of their gender would be insane. I don’t like labeling myself, because I’m always not going to fit someone’s definition of that thing, they can call me whatever they want, but I like to see whoever is around me getting treated right.

When I thought of myself as a cis man I considered myself a feminist, but I didn’t call myself one. Maybe I would’ve if someone asked directly, but no one ever did. Mostly there wasn’t any reason to say so that wasn’t performance; better to act and think in accordance with the principles than conspicuously claim it.

I wouldnt have 5 years ago, but I would today, but I’d still say I’m a Marxist first

It’s really hard to call yourself a feminist when you realize that all major achievements of western feminism aren’t the direct result of activism but rather capitalism. To paraphrase DiCaprio’s Character from Django, activism had their curiosity, the financial incentive had their attention.

Industries and governments realised that they were essentially not capitalizing on 50% of the population.

Women in the work force wasn’t a noble grant of freedom, it was an increase in production and profit. If it were truly as noble as it is made out to be, they would’ve given them equal pay from the start.
Same thing goes for women being able to have their own bank account. Women having their own money means they will spend it, driving the economy. Even the right to vote just provides another angle of attack to influence and radicalize the population. Those are the 3 corner stones, work for capital and pay income tax, spend your money and pay sales tax and vote for whoever the TV tells you to vote. Everything else is just comfort to sweeten the deal. That’s also why 3rd wave feminism has grinded to a halt. The is no capitalist financial incentive to give women even one more inch of freedom than they already have.

Women haven’t won anything they’ve just gotten of the side lines, right into the corporate meatgrinder.

And now we’re here, where a two head family can’t afford to have a child because both members working 9-5 can barely support themselves financially, yet alone have the money or time to have a child. And neither corporations nor the government are eager to support them as if giving back even a single cent of profits is a cardinal sin.

I hesitate to call myself a feminist because it seems like there is a presumption of understanding women’s experiences

Being a woman is the only thing that gives you access to women’s experiences, but being a woman doesn’t automatically make you a feminist.

Understanding women’s experiences (i.e., being a woman) and being a feminist are orthogonal things.

Calling myself a feminist would be stolen valour.