by Judi Marcin
A 2015 poll conducted by the research/communication group PerryUndem illustrated the fact that while 85% of respondents stated they believed in “equality for women” only 18% of those polled identified as “feminist.” Why has feminism become a shunned word and why do so many want to distant themselves from the movement?
Martha Schulman interviewed Meg Medina for the March 8, 2016 edition of Publisher’s Weekly in which they discuss Medina’s latest book, Burn Baby Burn, set in the 70’s and at the height of second-wave feminism. |
That brings up the question of feminism, which is all over the book – its energy, its appeal, the necessity of the struggle. Is that “historical,” given that many young women and girls today don’t consider themselves feminists? Was that something you thought about? |
I think about that every day – with agony. It’s been very sad for me to see that feminism has become the “F” word for some girls. Young women may not realize that the rights they enjoy now were fought for by the women who came before them. The science class they’re taking, access to sports, maternity leave, protections against date rape—these were fought for; no one gave them to us. No movement stays stagnant, so it will be up to young women to continue to define feminism and what their issues are, but ideally with an appreciation for what was done and gifted to them. |
“Done and gifted.” Yes. Absolutely. That appreciation can start with the writers of children’s literature. An important reason for the lack of appeal of feminism as a movement may stem from the historical lack of inclusivity of both race and gender. I agree unequivocally that we have fallen short. I argue, however, that there are passionate writers looking to change that tendency. Writers like Meg Medina. Writers like Kate Schatz. | Image used under creative commons originally published on RAD American Women |
Books that think beyond a white woman’s agenda and acknowledge how women of color and other marginalized voices have contributed to the progress of all women are essential to recognize and celebrate. In order to teach young readers about feminism, we need to introduce them to those powerful people on whose shoulders we now stand. We cannot expect young people to appreciate the results of feminism if we don’t write about it ourselves. |
Rad American Women A-Z written by Kate Schatz and illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl is a terrific contemporary example of feminist inclusivity. This book is a collection of short nonfiction biographies intended for middle grade readers and presents women alphabetically by their first name. Compared to other biographical collections, this work has a deliberate and intentional multicultural focus. The author chose women representative of American intersectional feminism; many included are still living. The book not only acknowledges sexism, but also directly addresses racism and homophobia and does not shy away from calling out the oppressive behavior of others. The book starts alphabetically with Angela Davis and ends with Zora Neale Hurston. | Images above used under creative commons from RAD http://radamericanwomen.com |
Images above used under creative commons from RAD http://radamericanwomen.com
In honor of Women’s History Month, I hope all of us think about what we have been gifted by the brave women who have come before us. Even though the word “feminism” is rarely found in the literature for young readers, it is important to keep the discussion going. For further reading, I recommend the essay “Feminism Revisited” by Lissa Paul in the collection Understanding Children’s Literature ed by Peter Hunt (2nd Ed.) | image used under creative commons from Amazon |
Writing and reading and listening to the stories of the amazing women who have worked to make this world a better place should be a priority for all of us. And let’s not shy away from the word “feminism.” Let’s read about it and talk about it and use the word regularly in front of our kids. Let’s celebrate Women’s History Month every March and celebrate feminism every day.
After all, “F” is for Feminism.
After all, “F” is for Feminism.
Images above used under creative commons from RAD http://radamericanwomen.com/resources/