Masis-Cubero 1

Rebeca Masis-Cubero
Dr. Parker
ENG 113
September 17, 2016

Critical Summary: Feminist Politics

In the introduction to Feminist Politics, the author challenges the misconstrued
assumptions about the feminist movement and their agenda. Although it is a common belief that
the feminist movement antagonizes men, the author insists that the heart of the feminist
movement is to fight against sexism, exploitation and oppression. Sexist beliefs, she elaborates,
affect both men and women. Specifically, the author argues that people reject the message of
feminism because they do not understand what feminism stands for. Although some people argue
that any woman can be a feminist, regardless of what she believes and how she exercises her
freedom, Bell Hooks apparently assumes that a woman cannot be a feminist if she does not take
a liberal political stance.
I disagree. Although I agree with her definition of feminism, I dont believe that you must
take a liberal stance on political issues to support freedom and equality. Hooks states that,
Lifestyle feminism ushered in the notion that there could be as many versions of feminism as
there were women. Suddenly the politics was being slowly removed from feminism. And the
assumption prevailed that no matter what a womans politics, be she conservative or liberal, she
too could fit feminism into her existing lifestyle. In sum, the author is stating that supporting
freedom and equality for women does not make an individual a feminist. For instance, with the
issue of abortion, the author insists that a woman cannot call herself a feminist is she does not
believe in a womans right to choose. In addition, Hooks apparently assumes that there is a

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correct and an incorrect way to be a feminist, and that the correct way involves liberal politics.
Of course, some might object that a feminist should fight for freedom even when she does not
agree with the choice that a certain freedom involves. However, as an individual, I dont believe
that I should have to compromise my morals to adhere to the label of feminist. Overall, then, I
believe feminism is not defined as liberal politics, but as a commitment to advocate against
sexism.
This particular feminist perspective is useful in understanding why so many women shy
away from the label of feminist. I strongly disagree with the notion that women must have a
specific set of values and beliefs to call themselves feminists. This perspective of feminism
reveals why so many women find it insulting to be labeled as feminists, or use the label to refer
to an extremist, bra-burning protester. Because of this perspective and other perspectives that
insist that women must have a certain political stance to be able to call themselves feminists, I
believe that it is crucial that we educate others to understand that feminism is not about what
political party you support. Feminism is about fighting against a system that is inherently sexist,
and I believe that the only requirement for a feminist is to support and advocate equality and
freedom. According to this perspective, I cant call myself a feminist because I believe that
submission in marriage is biblical and killing an unborn child is wrong. I dont believe that we
need any more divisions. I think a woman who believes in equality and freedom is a feminist,
regardless of whom she votes for and how she chooses to express her freedom.

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Works Cited:
Hooks, Bell. Feminist Politics. Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics, South End
Press, Cambridge, MA, 2000.