It seems to us
that the predominant understanding of feminism is coded
by a body of works, actions, and texts produced in the ‘60s and ‘70s,
such that it has become nearly impossible to talk about contemporary
feminism in a way that doesn’t tie it to an historical moment.
Is
it
any wonder, then, that so many of our peers see themselves as
post-feminist, or not feminist at all, when the word “feminism” is so
explicitly defined by the past-tense?
It is ironic that today we find
ourselves hampered by the richness of our language at hand, which has
not been diverted from its historical roots and imperatives. It
is a
strange paradox that this richness has become our present poverty,
keeping us from moving forward empowered by our presence in our moment.