The reading What Is Feminism?, by Rosalind Delmar, was very interesting to read. This reading seemed to be typical of what you would think a theoretical discussion would be. Delmar focuses on the lack of solid definition for the term “Feminism,” and points out that there are many different view points within the group that identifies as feminists. She also raises more than several questions about feminism and feminists, questions that are still relevant to feminism today. One of the main questions she focuses on in this reading is whether or not a group can really be united if there is so much diversity within it. It seems difficult for some to understand that there can be so many different positions in one group, sometimes opposing positions. Feminism has received much criticism about this same lack of unity and solidarity on issues, it is difficult for some to take feminism seriously because of this. Although this was a work from 1979 this lack of solid definition and unity still holds through today, and is something that most likely will continue. It is an important issue and a relevant question for feminists today.
This reading was very typical of a theoretical discussion. Delmar started it off with her title, “What Is Feminism?,” which is of course a question, and ended by stating that it was a question that can’t be answered yet. She also leads the reader to contemplate whether or not there will ever be one solid definition for the term feminism. The reading does much more to create more questions than to give any sort of answer. Delmar attempts to give a basic definition of the term when she states that, “…a feminist is someone who holds that women suffer discrimination because of their sex, that they have specific needs which remain negated and unsatisfied, and that the satisfaction of these needs would require a radical change (some would say a revolution even) in the social, economic, and political order,” but she still can’t state that this is the basic definition that everyone agrees on (p 27). Delmar also questions whether or not any movement made by a group of women is feminism
(28). Or if something done by a group that doesn’t identify as feminists can still be labeled as an act of feminism (29). The reader is left really questioning what the true definition of the word feminist is, or if there can be just one definition.
Delmar identifies an issue that is not a new concept, but one that is ongoing. Although it is not a new idea, it is still one that not everyone is aware of. Young people today may not know how many different viewpoints are in the group that identifies as feminist. They may not understand that one definition of the word feminist cannot and does not truly fit all. Even though these differences exist many still try to assume that there is just one basic definition that every feminist fits into to. Delmar views this as a problem and demonstrates this by stating, “the assumption that the meaning of feminism is ‘obvious’ needs to be challenged” (27). Another issue that is brought up in this reading is the various images of feminists and feminism, which brings up even more questions. Which image is correct? Are they all correct in their own right? Are they all incorrect? Can there even be one unifying image? Delmar believes that the question of what it means to be a feminist must remain “an open one” (34).
Feminists today are still faced with great amounts of diversity within their social movement. Some of the diversity is valued, but some is thought of as conflict and roadblocks. It is an aspect of feminism that receives a lot of criticism and skepticism. There are those that find it hard to take a group seriously when that group can’t even come to an agreement with themselves. Delmar also ponders whether or not what is agreed on within feminism holds more significance than what is not (28). Perhaps this is a question that feminists today need to look at and try to decide. It is an ongoing issue and question within feminism, and it is no less important today than it was in 1979 or even during the first wave of feminism. Delmar raised the questions then, more than a quarter of a century ago, and there still is no one solid definition of feminism.
