I have me brave women who are exploring the outer edge of human possibility, with no history to guide them, and with a courage to make themselves vulnerable that I find moving beyond words.
There's been the same kind of demonizing of the word 'feminism' as words like 'liberal,' 'affirmative action,' and so on.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights how the term 'feminism' faces prejudice similar to other socially charged terms, emphasizing the need for understanding and acceptance.
Gloria Steinem's quote draws attention to the societal tendency to demonize certain words, particularly 'feminism,' alongside other politically charged terms like 'liberal' and 'affirmative action.' This reflects a broader issue of misunderstanding and misrepresentation of concepts that advocate for equality and progress, suggesting that there is a need to reclaim these terms and promote informed discussions rather than perpetuating negative stereotypes.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a panel discussion on gender equality, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of understanding feminism.
More from Gloria Steinem
All quotes βIf women are supposed to be less rational and more emotional at the beginning of our menstrual cycle when the female hormone is at its lowest level, then why isn't it logical to say that, in those few days, women behave the most like the way men behave all month long?
Age brings a freedom. When you're young, you're much more subject to the idea of what feminine is or how you should look or how you should behave.
All those chemicals that create empathy only work when you are in a room together.
Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.
Obviously, there is much similarity among the challenges of transgender people and all women - from health care to harassment to discrimination in the workplace.
Similar quotes
So she became impulsive, scared by her inaction into perpetual action.
The status quo is persistent and resistant. It exists because everyone wants it to. Everyone believes that what they've got is probably better than the risk and fear that come with change.
Yet the hour of emancipation is advancing ... this enterprise is for the young; for those who can follow it up, and bear it through to it's consummation. It shall have all my prayers, and these are the only weapons of an old man.
Change is never easy, and it often creates discord, but when people come together for the good of humanity and the Earth, we can accomplish great things.
You have had many sadnesses, large ones, which passed. ... But please, ask yourself whether these large sadnesses haven't rather gone right through you [that is, passed through you]. Perhaps many things inside you have been transformed; perhaps somewhere, someplace deep inside your being, you have undergone important changes while you were sad.
Each reform, therefore, improving the economical and political situation of the workers proves to be an arm that increases the energy with which the proletarian struggle of classes is fought.