History of Feminism

Babel_17

(5,400 posts)

43. It's the context (I think)

Thu Jul 10, 2014, 08:10 PM

Jul 2014

I'm coming at it with fresh eyes as I haven't seen it before. I ask myself, if a female rocker, like the awesome Julie Ruin, were to describe herself as having been part of a "radfem" movement*, I wouldn't blink an eye. Or if the awesome Lori Petty described her Tank Girl character as "radfem", I'd just nod my head.

*Riot grrrl, actually

The word "radical" is always a pejorative coming from some people so I can see how it as an insult by default.

Huh, I just found this. http://askaradfem.tumblr.com/ So I guess it might just be one of those terms.

P.S. I'm a guy.

P.P.S. It reminds me of how classic science fiction would use such abbreviations. Like in works by Philip K. Dick or John Brunner. If you are familiar with their work then you might agree that can be an ominous association.

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Anyone else think that tossing "radfem" around as a slur is the same as saying "feminazi"? [View all] redqueen Jul 2014 OP

Nope, you're not the only one who reads it that way. F4lconF16 Jul 2014 #1

Right? nt redqueen Jul 2014 #5

Pisses me off gwheezie Jul 2014 #2

If it's used to just talk about that knd of feminist / feminism that's one thing... redqueen Jul 2014 #7

I also think it is a rightwing type of slur. bravenak Jul 2014 #3

Agreed on both counts. redqueen Jul 2014 #8

Yes and yes. MadrasT Jul 2014 #50

Completely agree GeoWilliam750 Jul 2014 #67

Yes. theHandpuppet Jul 2014 #4

Yeah it's not everyone using it as an insult... redqueen Jul 2014 #9

They probably got it from Limbaugh shenmue Jul 2014 #6

Most definitely. MRAs love ranting about Radfems. redqueen Jul 2014 #10

Yep, I first heard the term from one of my most ardent admirers BainsBane Jul 2014 #12

Yes, as if only radical feminists consider sexual objectification to be an issue. redqueen Jul 2014 #13

Or feminists like myself who aren't particularly radical BainsBane Jul 2014 #11

Yep kcr Jul 2014 #14

Yep, another big clue there. nt redqueen Jul 2014 #16

What the hell is it, even? It's like a neon sign pointing to those that use it that says, Squinch Jul 2014 #15

"Let's just let the Supreme Court do its work." redqueen Jul 2014 #17

Yes! I was going to ask, what the hell is "radfem" anyway? CTyankee Jul 2014 #18

I think they think that when we talk about women's rights, we emit radiation... Hmm... That would Squinch Jul 2014 #19

I have actually asked that in the Men's Group. No response yet... CTyankee Jul 2014 #21

Oh, that will be interesting! I never see men's group stuff because I have most of them on ignore. Squinch Jul 2014 #22

Or ooze pus?? littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #30

Cooties! Irradiated cooties! Squinch Jul 2014 #34

...slowly exits... littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #40

It's used to belittle and demean. like the deliberate use of "hysterical" to describe us PeaceNikki Jul 2014 #20

then there is the "offended feminists" BainsBane Jul 2014 #23

we are a roving band of female terrorists... CTyankee Jul 2014 #24

With super-human radfem powers BainsBane Jul 2014 #25

DUzy. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #35

Geez, I missed that training. MadrasT Jul 2014 #51

Ooooh! What a visual that is! theHandpuppet Jul 2014 #53

And we are rattling our pots and pans. littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #29

Don't you love how women are automatically the liars? BainsBane Jul 2014 #31

I hear you loud and clear. littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #32

It's my all powerful radfem sonar BainsBane Jul 2014 #33

Zzzzzzzzzaaaaaappppp. littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #36

Yeah, that "good guy" has been on my IL chervilant Jul 2014 #52

I'm glad you wrote this JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #26

He told me it means feminists BainsBane Jul 2014 #27

OMGawd! littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #39

Ahhhh JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #47

It's on the other site BainsBane Jul 2014 #48

SFS: my favorite new acronym. littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #28

Absolutely. Iggo Jul 2014 #37

I love this group littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #38

I see no difference in the terms Curmudgeoness Jul 2014 #41

Because wanting basic human rights for women is just soooooooo radical! DesertDiamond Jul 2014 #42

It's the context (I think) Babel_17 Jul 2014 #43

The exact same thing etherealtruth Jul 2014 #44

I concur. yes. n/t The Traveler Jul 2014 #45

Absolutely! BillZBubb Jul 2014 #46

Rad being short for radical? Yes, it's a slur. Oakenshield Jul 2014 #49

Yes. I wasn't "radfem" until George Bush took office ismnotwasm Jul 2014 #54

in general, anyone who whines about feminists so often that they geek tragedy Jul 2014 #55

Well put. johnp3907 Jul 2014 #56

...TBH... Squinch Jul 2014 #62

Yes Tetris_Iguana Jul 2014 #57

It's definitely used as an insult on DU... cyberswede Jul 2014 #58

Isn't he a dear? BainsBane Jul 2014 #72

DU Rec. Tuesday Afternoon Jul 2014 #59

It's hard to imagine that term being used in a way that wouldn't shut down discussion el_bryanto Jul 2014 #60

Very well put. Squinch Jul 2014 #63

I think females are totally rad! IronLionZion Jul 2014 #61

radfem.... simply fighting the partiriarchy and crushing the gender roles forced on us. and THAT seabeyond Jul 2014 #64

Welcome back, sea GeoWilliam750 Jul 2014 #65

thank you. i feel good. that was a very productive time out. i SO learned my lesson. nt seabeyond Jul 2014 #66

I desperately hope that you have....... GeoWilliam750 Jul 2014 #68

bah hahahah. arent you special. seabeyond Jul 2014 #69

I am sure the MRA gentlemen will approve heartily GeoWilliam750 Jul 2014 #70

I think it depends on the context of who is using the term radfem and how it is being applied. Bjorn Against Jul 2014 #71

I think its purpose is to trivialize. I just got regarded elsewhere on du as suspect ellenrr Jul 2014 #73

Smh Tetris_Iguana Jul 2014 #74

agree. I think some people think "radical" means one is a bomb-throwing anarchist. ellenrr Jul 2014 #75

Yep. TDale313 Jul 2014 #76

We can, in large part, "thank" a small sect of transphobic conservative authoritarian extremists Zorra Jul 2014 #77

i do not think the mainstream the react negatively to "rad"fem is about terf. they are clueless. seabeyond Jul 2014 #78

"they use it on du cause they will get a hide with feminazi" redqueen Jul 2014 #80

No, I don't buy that. It seems to me that a small set of people are intent on spreading propaganda redqueen Jul 2014 #79

I'm saying that the TERF contingent has unnecessarily given Radical Feminism a bad rap, and Zorra Jul 2014 #81

And I'm saying that the "TERF" issue is a red herring. redqueen Jul 2014 #82

Oh, my. Whatever. We disagree. nt Zorra Jul 2014 #83

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #84

Po' Baby. ismnotwasm Jul 2014 #85

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #86

You need some new material cyberswede Jul 2014 #87

Why? ismnotwasm Jul 2014 #88