This is a phrase I’ve read about before. It’s the seemingly simple disclaimer that distances oneself from the label of feminist, while successfully othering self-proclaimed feminists. Once someone has said “I’m not a feminist, but…”, making it clear that the speaker very much does not want the label of feminist, not many people will want to come out and say proudly, “Well, I am a feminist!”?

I had never actually heard the phrase used until today. In class, we were discussing what makes a book a classic (ugh) and one woman related her experience of completely clicking with a book, and having that book become a classic to her. While I can’t remember the title, I know that her reason for liking it so much was that it  really spoke to her experiences with gender inequality and how unfair life can be for women. And she said, “It’s not like I’m a hardcore feminist or anything, but…”

Now, it’s hard to blame someone for using this phrase, when I realize that many people are taught throughout their lives, whether by the media, their family, their peers, or who knows what other source, that “feminism” is a bad word, and that feminists are a bunch of radical, ugly, man-hating, bitchy lesbians. Having never had much experience with the word or the concept of feminism until college, I have been completely open to learning what feminism really means and becoming confident in calling myself a feminist.

I was a little shocked to hear “I’m not a feminist, but…” actually said to me, especially when she went on to describe her unfair treatment as the only daughter and the general inferiority of women to men in many aspects of our daily lives, which seems like a pretty feminist realization to me. She clearly agrees that women should have equality with men - the basic tenet of feminism -  but still fears using the word itself. While the conversation went on to different topics rather quickly, while thinking about this throughout the day I have come to a decision. Whenever I hear “I’m not a feminist, but…” I will not be afraid - and will not hesitate - to say, “Well, I am!”

Today, August 26, 2008, is the 88th Anniversary of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. A little background:

“At the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971 the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as ‘Women’s Equality Day.’

The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world’s first women’s rights convention, in Seneca Falls, New York. (NWHP)”

Let’s remember the many, many people who worked long before us for what we in America now take for granted: our right to vote.