Waves Metaphor of Feminist History
If you have ever been involved in a discussion on feminist history, chances are you have heard these histories discussed as waves. Feminism is often described in terms of a first, second, third and/or fourth wave referring to specific historical moments in which feminist resistance and the fight for equal rights have risen like a wave in an ocean before crashing down. While it helps organize how we think of the history of major feminist goals, this metaphor has also been critiqued for being a bit incomplete and thus problematic. The reality is that these fights for equality do not stop "between" waves. Instead the movements inform and support each other and often provide critique in order to expand and strengthen these efforts. The "waves" also tend to focus on narrow segments of gender and feminist movement, centered on the needs and actions of white, middle and upper class women without as much consideration for abolitionist, Civil Rights, and queer movements. Because they are still so commonly discussed, it is helpful to know the "waves" while remaining critical.
First Wave- Citizenship & Suffrage
This week you will read up on what has come to be called the First Wave of the Feminist Movement which took place in the late 1800s and into the early 1900s as white, middle and upper class women famously fought to grant basic citizenship rights for women to earn money, own property, and to vote. At the same time, many activists were focused on abolitionist movements that fought to end slavery and racial oppression alongside gender based oppression.
In the US, women didn't earn the right to vote until 1920. However, while the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote, it did not address ongoing issues of voter suppression based on race and other factors. State laws in many places deliberately kept many Black Americans from voting by using poll taxes and literacy tests as well as turning a blind eye to violence and lynching used to scare people from the polls. Black women wouldn't fully have access to the right to vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In addition to the reading,Links to an external site. you can learn a bit more about these early movements by watching these short videos:
Video: The Historic Women"s Suffrage March on Washington
https://youtu.be/_KhYRqozTDE
Video: A Bite Sized Guide to First Wave Feminism
https://youtu.be/lW1sfaWcwdM
Second Wave- Liberation
One of the reasons the wave metaphor persists is because it often seems that once a major feminist victory is "won" that movement ends and new one begins. As we discussed last week, people start to believe that the need for equality movements end because one goal is achieved. i.e. "You got the right to vote, what else could you possibly want?" The Second Wave of the Feminist Movement framed as beginning in the 1960s answered that question by fighting for women's liberation from the limiting expectations placed on women as secondary citizens subjected to legal harassment and discrimination.
Just like women's suffrage was connected to abolitionist movements, the women' liberation movement was influenced and shaped by the Civil Rights Movement. Activists brought issues of race and gender oppression into the political sphere and declared that the personal is political. The "women's libbers" made many advancements that we directly benefit from today, such as legislation against violence within the home and the workplace, laws against sexual harassment, widespread access to birth control, abortion, and other aspects of reproductive freedom, as well as expanding rights to political and financial access.
One of the specific and largest goals of the 2nd wave was the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a proposed Constitutional Amendment that guarantees rights to all regardless of sex. The entire amendment simply states "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." It was first introduced in Congress in 1923, and passed in 1972 but did not receive ratification of at least 38 states required to become part of the Constitution. The ERA has never been adopted and there is still no Constitutional protection of equal rights on the basis of sex. You can find additional information on the ERA hereLinks to an external site.
Sample Solution
The passage provides a valuable critique of the "waves" metaphor often used to describe feminist history. Here are some key takeaways:
- Oversimplification: The metaphor suggests clear breaks between distinct periods of feminist activity, when in reality, the movements overlap and inform each other.
Full Answer Section
- Limited Focus: The "waves" narrative tends to center on the experiences of white, middle- and upper-class women, neglecting the contributions and struggles of women of color, working-class women, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Understanding the Interconnectedness of Movements:
The passage highlights how feminist movements are interconnected:
- First Wave and Abolition: Early feminists like Susan B. Anthony recognized the link between women's rights and the abolitionist movement.
- Second Wave and Civil Rights: The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s significantly influenced the Second Wave of feminism, which tackled issues like domestic violence and reproductive rights.
Moving Beyond the Metaphor:
While the "waves" metaphor offers a basic framework, a more nuanced understanding of feminist history requires acknowledging:
- Continuous Struggle: Feminist activism is not a series of isolated waves, but a continuous fight for equality, adapting to evolving social and political contexts.
- Intersectionality: Feminist movements must acknowledge the experiences of women across race, class, and sexual orientation for a more inclusive approach.