The world has plenty of 'reasonable' men. It has plenty of 'good' men. It has plenty of 'considerate' men. And the world has quite a number of 'self-conscious feminist' men.
But in contrast I'm arguing that we need more 'conscious feminist' men. I used to be absurdly self conscious about my feminism, as if feminism was a yardstick to be measured against, a definition of right and wrong. That attitude was superficial, and tokenistic, much like going to church without truly understanding or living out the messages.
Conscious feminism is reflective, embedded in accumulated experience and responsive to different circumstances. It is not an ideology, but a set of principles and values. I hope that some of those values and principles are becoming clear through this blog.
Conscious feminism takes time, and is a constant learning process. It is intimately connected to the absolute value of being good to each other - regardless of gender - and yet is something more. 'Consciousness' intimates that it is an ever-present awareness of the feminine in myself and the responsibilities that awareness places on me. And joys too. To be a conscious feminist is, for me, personally life-enriching. It is a constant, creative revelation of my own sense of self.
If this sounds rather smug, I apologise - some of this is rhetorical flourish. But it is rhetoric based on authentic experience.
It's clear that this blog is taking on a life of it's own. I have no idea where it will go next, so join me for more unplanned accidents in a couple of days.
If this sounds rather smug, I apologise - some of this is rhetorical flourish. But it is rhetoric based on authentic experience.
It's clear that this blog is taking on a life of it's own. I have no idea where it will go next, so join me for more unplanned accidents in a couple of days.
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