jmwmwriter

There is a significant difference between the two declarations above. The following suggestion from bell hooks helps clarify: 

To emphasize engagement with feminist struggle as political committment, we could avoid using the phrase “I am a feminist” (a linguistic structure designed to refer to some personal aspect of identity and self-definition) and could state, “I advocate feminism.” Because there has been undue emphasis placed on feminism as an identity or lifestyle, people usually resort to stereotyped perspectives on feminism. Deflecting attention away from stereotypes is necessary if we are to revise our strategy and direction. I have found that saying “I am a feminist” usually means I am plugged into preconceived notions of identity, role, or behavior. When I say, “I advocate feminism,” the response is usually, “What is feminism?” (from Feminist Theory from Margin to Center)

bell hooks argues for a de-personalization of feminism by replacing “feminist” as an identity category with “feminism” as a philosophy of action and movement that anyone can advocate. It would be difficult to argue that the identity “feminist” does not override the meaning of feminist movement, at least if we are arguing with those who might always already disagree with feminist politics. Any women’s studies teacher who spends her/his first day of class debunking myths about feminists knows that some ill-intentioned representations of feminists, and the consequence of people not thinking critically, can get in the way of feminism(s).

My curiosity lies in whether these representations (and distractions) would ...