"Then and Now" - Linda Martin Alcoff: New Wave of Feminism

http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=99e6bbb2-b74d-41ba-8712-eca23df17d74%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4201


         Alcoff discusses the idea of horizontalism and its relationship and overall reflection with feminism. She argues that feminism has "profoundly influenced the processes and organization styles used in movements against cooperation." Alcoff brings up and emphasizes the need for equilibrium in the social hierarchy in the world between todays men and women. The idea of "deconstruction" is brought up. The removal of any "difference" between men and women. This was an idea that was shut down completely. Others argue that attempting to neutralize the difference's rather than acknowledging them, takes away from the possibility of finding "positive epidemic possibilities" in the future. Alcoff mentions the significant difference in treatment and "expectations" that are put on women. She, the author, brings the reader back to times of sexual and emotional violence. Times where women were the "play things" of men and "lived" to do their bidding. Alcoff pushes and urges her readers to start right now. She urges her readers to begin a "new" style of feminism.

        Personally, I think that Alcoff takes an interesting approach and look at the whole " feminism needs to change". I look at feminism as a way of being, morals and beliefs if you may. I don't believe that feminism is necessarily an unwritten code, but more or less feminism is a choice of respect and equality. I do not see why there are "differences" between men and women, at least why there is such a great difference that nowadays there is a social hierarchy of how "men and women should act". I believe that this is the time for a new wave of feminism and a new way of looking at the gender hierarchy and it starts with the generation today.