Third Wave Feminism

1. Third Wave Feminism

2. Third Wave Feminism • Third Wave Feminism emerged into North American public consciousness in the early 1990s • Expressed criticism the second wave feminists were too dogmatic and too limited in scope

3. Feminism on Campus • During the 1980s feminist theory became driving concern in many disciplines in the humanities • This interest was spurred on by the development of interdisciplinary Women’s and Cultural Studies programs, and Campus Women’s Centers • Drawing on linguistic and postmodern theory, expanded the vocabulary of feminist issues

4. “French” Feminist theory • Julia Kristeva was critical of the idea of a “feminine voice” and advocated multiple sexual identities • Luce Irigaray uses psychoanalytic theory to challenge male dominance in society that can be overcome with “feminine writing” • Tends to be dense and theoretical – but has an incredible influence on academic culture

5. bell hooks (1952-) • Focuses on the interconnectivity of race, class, and gender • Although an academic, argues against the ‘elitist’ character of academic feminist theory • Argues that feminism pays too little attention to race and class – paying too much attention to the needs of middle class white women

6. Judith Butler (1956-) • American academic feminist, argued in her book Gender Trouble that gender and sex are performative acts – not identities • following Foucault argued that the choices of gender roles are constructed by “regulatory discourses” • Argued against feminism that advocated two sexes only

7. In her 1991 book Backlash Susan Faludi argued that American popular culture demonized feminism in an attempt to curb the advances women had made

8. Naomi Wolf’ the Beauty Myth • "The more legal and material hindrances women have broken through, the more strictly and heavily and cruelly images of female beauty have come to weigh upon us... More women have more money and power and scope and legal recognition than we have ever had before; but in terms of how we feel about ourselves physically, we may actually be worse off than our unliberated grandmothers."

9. Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill In July 1991 US President George Bush nominates Clarence Thomas as second African American Supreme Court Justice. Thomas’ confirmation was controversial from the start because he was a strong conservative, who was critical of “affirmative action” and rumored to be against Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion At his confirmation hearing, his former assistant Anita Hill testified that that she was repeatedly sexually harassed by Thomas. Another witness testified to the same treatment. The media picked up on the story and brought the issue of sexual harassment to a national and global audience

10. Rebecca Williams • “Let Thomas’ confirmation serve to remind you, as it did me, that the fight is far from over. Let this dismissal of a woman’s experience move you to anger. Turn that outrage into political power. Do not vote for them unless they work for us. Do not have sex them with them, do not break bread with them, do not nurture them if they don’t prioritize our freedom to control our bodies and our lives. I am not a post-feminist feminist. I am the Third Wave.”

11. Violence against women • Third wave feminists also • In 1994 the American congress passed the Violence Against Women Bill

12. In 1991, a men’s group in Montreal began the “White Ribbon Campaign” as a response to the Dec. 1989 massacre of 14 women at The Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal • It has since evolved into an international event

13. Abortion debate

14. Riot Grrrl! • A movement of young women devoted to activism – using music and ‘zines to share their ideas • Emphasis on individuality of expression and inclusiveness • Builds upon the aesthetic of punk rock and independence from corporate culture – with bands like Bikini Kill and Bratmobile

15. issues • Gender • Sexuality • Sexism • AIDS • The environment