How Do ~YOU~ Define Feminism?

I have been listening to talks by famous thinkers on the TED.com web site.  It is a jewel for anyone who wants to listen to provocative and exciting speakers analyzing topical and relevant issues.  One of the speakers – Kavita Ramdas in a pod cast entitled “Radical Women Embracing Tradition” gave me a different side of the prism to view the issue of violence against women.  I was so intrigued that I want to get it out, look at it and ask your opinion about it.

For me, violence against women has its roots in sexism and its oppressive force felt through domination and second-class citizenry.  In that respect, it is not unlike racism, classism and other types of “isms” in our society.  However, Kavita points out that the oppression of women differs from other types of oppressions.  Classism represents oppression by a ruling class, racism by one race against another.  Both are discrete and identifiable political and economic structures.

Oppression of women and the violence used to hold women in place comes through deeply held traditions, beliefs, values, and culture. It is intertwined into contemporary and traditional music, literature and traditions.  It is not as distinct.  Women must live through and are the keepers of those traditions, beliefs, values, and culture.  Although globally cultures vary considerably from one place to another, the common result is the same – women’s bodies are mutilated, raped, beaten and used; free will bent, smashed, and destroyed.  We are a commodity regardless of the geography in which we find ourselves.

Women must design actions that include the very culture, values, and beliefs that hold us down.  What works in one culture cannot be replicated in another.  I gather three thoughts from this analysis.  1.  We must devise our own actions.  We cannot use civil rights, or anti poverty models.  Women in African nations will not use western culture’s models.  2.  We must support our sisters and allies in their work, not ask to adopt our solutions or priorities.  3.  We must stand together without judging whose culture is worse.  Any culture that promotes violence against women cannot be tolerated, yet we must not attempt to destroy all of the moving parts of the underpinnings.  We must use the very tools meant to oppress as means to gain freedom.