Please read these short sections:
Intro to WGS Textbook, Unit 5 “Historical & Contemporary Feminist Movements” Third Wave and Queer Feminist MovementsLinks to an external site.
bell hooks. Feminism is For Everybody Chapter 1. “Feminist Politics: Where We Stand” Download “Feminist Politics: Where We Stand”
Notes:
The Third Wave
The segment of the feminist movement characterized as the 3rd Wave begins largely in the 1990s. As “daughters of the second wave” they critiqued many earlier feminist positions and aspects of the work they believe were left unfinished.
As we have already discussed, feminist movements have a history of marginalizing the voices of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ individuals. Activists of the third wave began developing deeper understandings of the interconnected nature of oppression and inequality and sought to develop a movement founded in coalition politics which “organizes with other groups based on their shared (but differing) experiences of oppression, rather than their specific identity” (Kang, Lessard, Heston, and Nordmarken). They were the first to center intersectionality, or the consideration of intersecting experiences resulting from social labels. (We will discuss intersectionality itself in more detail next week)
The Third Wave also reclaimed aspects of femininity that the Second Wave rejected as subordinate traits, such as wearing dresses or enjoying the color pink, as well as championing sex positivity and sexual agency for people of all genders. The view that equality is about having choices is reflected in Roxanne Gay’s work on being a “bad feminist”. She explains that she breaks many of the perceived “rules” of feminism by enjoying music that calls women “b!tches and h0es” and embracing the choice to be a homemaker or not. In addition to calling for a necessary embrace of inclusive feminism, she highlights the 3rd Wave ideal that there is not a one-size fits all approach and that it’s okay to be messy and imperfect. Another defining characteristic is the artistic expression of the era as the movement spread through feminist expression in music, art, fashion, and the circulation of small print zines which are a defining medium of the 3rd Wave.
Video: Roxanne Gay: Confessions of a Bad Feminist
Video: A Bite Sized Guide to Third Wave Feminism
A Fourth Wave?
Around the early 2010s many point to a shift in feminist activism toward operating within online spaces. We can see this illustrated by the impacts of the #metoo movement and the online organizing that led to the Women’s March after the election of Donald Trump in 2016. The growing presence of activism and organization on platforms like TikTok point to the ways younger generations are leading the next wave of movement. (You should see my fyp!) Many theorists and activists have begun to question if the era of social media movements has brought with it a Fourth Wave of Feminism (and still many criticize the wave idea entirely). The Fourth Wave (if we will come to define it that way) still continues much of the work of the Second and Third Waves, but with even more emphasis on intersectionality and centering BIPOC, disabled, working class, migrant, queer, trans, and nonbinary voices. There is also much more focus on LGBTQ communities along with questioning the gender binary and the concept of gender. This wave also celebrates sex and body positivity more than those that came before.
There are still many critiques as to how well these goals are being addressed and many continue to point shortcomings of modern feminism. Despite large numbers that attended the Women’s March for example, the organization was also highly criticized for focusing their issues from the perspective of white, middle-class, non-LGBTQ women, despite stated attempts at inclusivity. Similarly, the #metoo movement (originally started by activist Tarana BurkeLinks to an external site.), has been criticized for overemphasizing white celebrities in the media and failing to fully represent BIPOC women who experience high rates of harassment and assault without the same recourse. As we have seen throughout our brief tour of feminist history, progress is not a straight line and there are often as many issues within the movement as there are issues it fights against.
Activity & Discussion:
After completing the reading, please use the ideas presented to discuss at least one of the following:
Some have criticized third and fourth wave feminism as too individualistic and not grounded in concrete political action. Based on the readings, to what extent do you think this criticism is valid? What are some examples to support your point of view? In your opinion, how do the issues of the 3rd and/or 4th waves help or harm feminist progress?
Do you think the fourth wave is separate from the third or an extension of it? What are some examples that support your view? What would you define as the characteristics of modern feminism, and in what ways does it build on or challenge previous waves? What are the defining issues of our current time?
In addition to discussing one or both of the previous questions please also include your answer to the following:
What do you find helpful and not helpful about the division of feminist history into waves?
Your discussion should be at least 200 words and include at least