I was checking out clutchmagonline.com and came across an article by Dan Omi about being a Black male feminist. It was pretty interesting. But it made me start to wonder...
A man being a feminist is conceptually a good thing. But how does it work in practice?
I don't see feminism as a 'male' 'female' thing, rather I see it as a social gender perplexity. Women are undoubtedly treated as less than a man in almost every facet of society. The fight for equality extends beyond the conversation of race and rests quite nicely in the context of gender. For a man to be a feminist, he must reject the social framework that gives him social power over women. Is this something that is even possible? Can a man reduce himself to being a woman's equal (or raise a woman to being his equal) while maintaining his role as a male?
I do not think that all men consciously choose to be anti-feminism. Some men--actually, I would venture to say that a majority of men-- fall into that their position of being anti-feminism simply because they were born with a penis.
How can a man truly be a feminist if he is male? Men can campaign for women's rights and equality but by being a man in this society, aren't they fighting against their own fight? As soon as they walk out of their front door, they are greeted with opportunity and respect not granted to deserving women. It's not that they are asking for the 'special treatment', its just that they just can't stop it because of the structure of society. So, by accepting the treatment that they receive, men are essentially solidifying the unequal and disparaging treatment of women. It may not always be their fault, but men, even those who label themselves feminists, are sometimes my worst enemy...
Either way, male feminist as a possibility or not, I found Omi's piece to be pretty enlightening. Check it out below. Leave a comment here and let me know what you think!
I never set out to be a Black male feminist. Like everyone else, I was groomed to see feminists as bra burning, anti-family, baby killing, lesbians who hated men. On top of that, I was and continue to be a Pan Africanist and the idea that feminists were proponents of white supremacy was hammered into my head. So there was no way I was going to become a feminist. Slowly but surely it happened. I went kicking and screaming but here I am.
Many have asked me what is the biggest problem I encounter in being a black male feminist. While I encounter many peers who question my sanity and my sexuality because of my views on feminism, sexism, and male privilege, the biggest obstacle in being a black male feminist is myself. Probably the biggest thing that most likely prevents the average brother from becoming a feminist, outside of religious and societal conditioning, is male privilege. Yes, the big phrase that every male, especially black males, are quick to defend. Don’t believe me? Throw that word in a dinner conversation and see what happens.
Check out the rest here!!
Mz.Jonezy
3 comments
I think brother Dan Omi is a man who is conscious of the systematic efforts to create gender misunderstanding and oppression. There is nothing wrong with this at all! He is showing an ability to separate fact from society's fantasy...and recognizes that the inferiority of the female is not of any real benefit to the males; especially himself. It is VERY possible to be a male feminist; I know quite a few younger men who don't believe the patriarchal hype.
@Shane-- Yes, I guess it is quite possible. I agree with Omi conceptually, and I think in that sense, I know quite a few men who could be considered male feminists. I think that over all it is just difficult to be a male feminist because of our social contradictions (the social stipulations that come with being a man sometimes stifle feminist works). But even with the social contradictions, just like Omi said, being a female feminist is far more difficult than being a male feminist. In general, I think everything is a work in progress. Our social order really needs to change so that women may be given equal respect, recognition and treatment as their male counterparts.
"Can a man reduce himself to being a woman's equal (or raise a woman to being his equal) while maintaining his role as a male?" This statement was very quintessential to this piece because it embodied the problem with being is that we are always viewed through the eyes of others not ourselves. So, what does it really matter if we, men, are truly male feminist or not if we are not viewed as such? On the other hand, what if a man professes all that a female feminist would with passion and vigor as if he really cared about the fight, but did not carry that same passion and/or feeling in his heart? How would you know whether he was being true or not?
The problem is we fight to have laws change, policies enforced, and reformation of current practices, yet these things only change acts not beliefs, which will inevitably not change the discrimination of individuals (i.e. judges) that is being perpetuated. How can change be imposed? True change can only be undergone through the questioning of all beliefs that we know to be true or are considered facts (the two terms often used interchangeably; true should not be mistaken for what is truth), and assessing correct values and implementation of each. The first culprit amongst a slew of other in this great society known as America is the good book we call The Bible, which often propagates the idea inflicted upon us in youth when we are most vulnerable. Since it is inflicted upon us in youth, it is often hardest to get rid of. Hence, this will affect a large portion of our population, some men, some women, few others, and those who may or may not identify with a particular sex, creed, gender, race, ethnicity, religion and all the other means we use to differentiate and subjugate one another for one of the deadly 'sins', vanity. You see what I did there?
Anyway, I always appreciate your delightful display of "thinking outside the box" in your articles Ms. Jonzey. Until the next one, au revoir.
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