Responding to “Feminism Fail”

A recent article posted at the Daily Kos community by Angry Mouse called Feminism Fail has had my wheels turning for a few days.
The article was, as Audacia Ray called it on Twitter, “scathing criticism of feminist/pro-choice movement and its organizing efforts.”
I have to admit, the article got under my skin in a serious way.
Why? Because I’ve had a lot of the same thoughts and criticisms of big feminist organizations that the author articulates. I’m still in shock that health care reform might pass with a huge set-back to women’s rights and access to abortion. Under a Democratic super-majority.
I’ve spoken to young women who have felt unsupported and marginalized in big feminist organizations. I’ve seen leaders of those organizations say and do things that I don’t support at all.
And then, yesterday, I got a press release from the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) that the former President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Kim Gandy, is now a Vice President at FMF. The current President of FMF, Ellie Smeal, is a former President of NOW. This kind of nepotism, of trading leadership, is a huge part of what I critique about the big feminist organizations. Every movement needs new leadership, and I think the feminist movement is no exception. Especially at such a pivotal time in our history.
So I agree with you, Angry Mouse, that there are some big challenges these organizations face–they need some new strategies, ASAP.
But your article still rubbed me the wrong way.

Why? Well first off, I think you’re placing the blame in the wrong place. Well, at least some of the blame. There is a lot of blame to go around for the things you mention: Bush getting re-elected. Health care reform set backs. The lack of a cohesive women’s rights agenda.
But single-handedly blaming organizations like Emily’s List, or NOW, or FMF? Pretty unfair, and short-sighted. There are a lot of places to place the blame for losing the 2004 election (including the Supreme Court or all the people who voted for Bush). Same for the health care reform mess. Harry Reid for one. Even Nancy Pelosi bears some blame for the Stupak situation. The Obama Administration.
Your assumption that these organizations, or Feminism Inc as you call them, have enough influence to take the blame for these major happenings is questionable. Feminism and women in this country have come a long way, but not that far. We’re still not well-represented in Congress and women’s issues–particularly abortion–are constantly marginalized.
I also think you overlook a lot of the work these organizations have been doing–work that might not be as obvious to outsiders, but that’s crucial to our movement. Maintaining clinics, bringing students together, smaller policy wins on the State level. Fighting anti-abortion proposition after anti-abortion proposition, year after year. Remember access to emergency contraception over the counter? Remember access to medication abortion, or RU-486? And this is just focused on the abortion pieces of the work.
I was at that March in 2004 that you laugh at, and it may seem silly to you, but it meant a heck of a lot to me at the time. Being on the Mall with a million other people who cared about the issues I cared about—that was huge, even if we still lost the election.
Second, I understand that you’re annoyed by the alarmist emails that call for action and ask for money. But unfortunately, that’s how the non-profit sector works. If you want to lobby or do serious policy work, you have to constantly ask for money. Why? Because the Federal government limits how you can use your funds toward lobbying. Foundations often restrict the use of their grants toward lobbying (because of their 501-C3 tax status) so organizations rely on individual donors to fund their lobbying campaigns.
I hate the crisis emails just as much as you do, but like it or not that’s what brings money in the door. These organizations are also trying to fight lobby groups like the Catholic Bishops and pro-life organizations, that probably have WAY more money than the Feminist organizations combined.
The bigger issue at hand here is the feminist movement (with a capital M). Why do I feel the need to defend it when I’ve also got serious criticisms? Well because I don’t want to see it die. Too many people have put their hard work into to building these organizations, and like it or not, I think we’d be worse off without them. I want the movement to change. I want older leaders to make room for a new generation to step in. I want unique strategies and solutions for the battles we face. I want this movement to have political relevance. But I don’t think scrapping what we’ve got and starting over is going to serve us in the long run.