Feminism

Waves of feminism

First wave: early 20th century, suffragette movement (right to vote).
Second wave: 1960s – 1990s, reproductive rights (pill), abortion, equal pay.
Third wave: 1990s – present, empowerment, reclaiming of femininity (high heels, sexuality etc. See Angela McRobbie's work on women's magazines).
Fourth wave? 2010 – ongoing, use of new technology (e.g. Twitter) for activism.

Fourth wave?
Many commentators argue that the internet itself has enabled a shift from ‘third-wave’ to ‘fourth-wave’ feminism. What is certain is that the internet has created a ‘call-out’ culture, in which sexism or misogyny can be ‘called out’ and challenged.

This culture is indicative of the continuing influence of the third wave, with its focus on challenging sexism and misogyny in advertising, film, television and the media.

Key quote: “power users of social media”

The internet has facilitated the creation of a global community of feminists who use the internet both for discussion and activism.
According to #FemFuture: Online Feminism, a report recently published by Columbia University’s Barnard Center for Research on Women, females aged between 18 and 29 are the ‘power users of social networking’.
Ched Evans: 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11324994/Ched-Evans-Who-is-Jean-Hatchet-leading-petitions-against-his-return-to-football.html

Ched Evans is a 26 yr old footballer, who has been convicted of rape. An anonymous woman with little description about herself, apart from the fact that she is a radical feminist and using a pseudonym Jean Hatchet. She has managed to collect over 160,000 signatures in September which stopped the footballer from returning to his former club. She then began another campaign  

The situation was sparked by the Jean Hatchet, an anonymous on-line feminist, that didn't want Ched Evans back on the pitch. She got got over 160, 000 signatures on-line which stopped the footballer from going beck on to the pitch. However if she hadn't taken any action then there would still be a big issue about him, however the on-line petition may have a huge effect on the footballers career, as he was going to be signed by Oldham Athletic, however this may not be going forward because of the petition. 

I believe that the case is more of a witch hunt than valid, only because there was no hard evidence against Ched Evans. I believe that this is a witch hunt, and the only reason Ched Evans is being accused is because of his profession. 

However if there was evidence that Ched Evans had indeed raped the young girl then this would be valid, as rape should not be let off easily, and he should of been punished. However as there was no evidence against him he was not punished and he was let go, however the on-line petition has had a huge impact on his career and his image as a footballer. 


Caroline Criado-Perez:
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/aug/04/caroline-criado-perez-twitter-rape-threats

This story is about Caroline Criado-Perez, after seeing that all females were going to be removed from the English bank notes, she had threaten to sue the bank of England under the 2010 Equality act. After being ignored, she was invited to the bank of England and asked if she would accept if they put Jane Austen on the back of the £10 note. After her success she had been sent death and rape threats via Twitter. 

I believe what she did was valid as women should speak up and have the right to be equal. However the way she has been treated and the things people are saying and threatening to do to her is totally inappropriate, and the comments have been so bad that two people have been arrested. Overall I think that what Caroline has done is good and she should be praised rather than being threatened. Emma Watson:
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/9/emma-watson-gender-equality-is-your-issue-too

This story is about Emma Watson, a famous actor known for her acting in Harry Potter. She is launching a campaign called 'HeForShe'. She wants to end gender inequality but she wants from both genders, males and females. She says that when fighting for women's rights, it always ends in men hating on women, and Emma Watson wants this to end. 

The issue that Emma Watson speaks about is valid and is something that needs to be stopped, as women and men should have equal rights and should be treated equally. and the fact that she doesn't only speak about female inequality but also male inequality shows that she wants equal rights for both genders. Therefore I believe that her speech is valid.