Amari

W“Feminism is not dead” After talking with J, followed by some quick and dirty research I have finally decided on a topic for my argument essay. Third wave feminism as it is known is a very debatable topic with many questioning if it is just an extension of the second-wave feminist movement. This movement arose “as a response to perceived possible failures and backlash against initiatives and movements created by second-wave feminism (Wikipedia.com). One would think that because feminism is a movement pushing for the equality of both men and women, for genders to be equal in society and in the work force, that all the movements and waves (first, second and third) would be similar in their efforts and the goals that they are trying to achieve. Yet, there are many critics that raise issues about activists supporting this movement. One of the issues is that they believe that unlike the first and second wave of the feminist movement, thirds-wave feminist lack a single cause, it lacks a “cohesive goal”. Many see it as an extension of the second-wave feminist movement while they are trying to achieve their own identity. Others believe that instead of third wave feminism being an extension of the second wave movement, they believe the ideals are different and it is “time to move away from the older feminism of 1960’s and 1970 and shape a new movement that speaks to women today”. There are many issues that these third-wave feminist which many rather be called instead of “post-feminist” tackle. In my argument, I will like to take on an issue that they fight for and research the multiple perspectives surrounding the issue. In addition to exploring a central issue, I will like to dissect the wedge or the gap between the second and third wave feminist. Why the gap? What issues are different? What are the sides of the spectrum? What are the ideals and practices that the spectrum participates in and also what have they done to prove their work or what they believe? How is this an example of cultural resistance? As I began my quick and dirty research, I wanted to remain positive because I was not sure if I was going to generate results about this topic because I have never heard of third-wave feminism, although I did hear of some of their programs that they are associated with. When I searched for “third-wave feminism” it generated many results that helped me to decide that this was what I wanted to argue about. I will be able to learn more and more about the topic while at the same time trying to convince the reader of my stance on the topic. This topic is new to me and I hope that I will be able to successfully tackle this huge issue. Moving from quick and dirty research practices to the scholarly databases hosted by Syracuse University, it also generated many results, many of which I hope holds different perspectives about the topic of third-wave feminism. This topic holds a compromising future and I hope to succeed as I continue with my research.

why is the third wave so different from the first and second? that's really interesting to me, because as a naive outsider, it seems odd that three movements dealing with the same issue can be so different that one of them is seen as lacking a "cohesive goal". also, what is your stance on it? i know it may be too early for that, but make sure you don't follow in the footsteps of your sources. what political/social factors affected third wave feminism to arise, or was it here all along? ~Houtaneh

What are the different types of women involved in each wave and how might that affect their goals and ideas? What shapes is the biggest part of the 3rd movement so far that might have given it some definition? What have you found interesting and believable that will help you form your argument and position? -Joe Terry: What exactly is the difference between the second and third movement? What position do you plan to write about in your paper? How do you plan to support your arguement which sources are you gonna use to support or contradict your claim

J: All the questions that have been asked so far are excellent. I would also ask you to consider -- Do you think that we are still in a "3rd wave" of feminism today? Most of the sources I've seen discuss this as a 90s movement, do you think it still holds true in 2008? How have things changed? I have found that if I ask my classes whether or not they would consider themselves "feminists," most reply NO. They say that they support women's rights, but they ARE NOT feminists. How does this play into the current "wave" movement (if there still is one)? You may also want to consider what some of the key organizations or figures are within the movements. For instance, 1st wave centered a lot around public speaking platforms, with Susan B Anthony and Matilda Joslyn Gage, etc. 2nd Wave started organizations like National Organization for Women (NOW), tried to get the ERA (Equal Right Ammendment) passed (though they were unsuccessful), and marches such as Take Back the Night. I know that many people count Riot Grrrl as part of a 3rd wave feminism (though others waver as to where it belongs). What else counts as 3rd wave?