My short skirt is a feminist, too.

18 Feb 08 <!– @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } –>

While I was getting the word out for the sexism discussion we held here at Twin Oaks last week, a fellow communard mentioned having ideas she wanted to express, but feeling uncomfortable with public speaking. I offered to read a statement for her at the discussion, and then suggested that if she didn’t want something read, she could post a letter in her mailbox, available for fellow members to read. She said that sounded great and the next day said “Byrd! I posted my mailbox letter, you should read it!”.

So I did.

Much to my chagrin.

First of all, the bulk of this letter was not about sexism, it was about feminism. Second of all, the large bit about feminism was based on a stereotype of feminists as androgynous anti-femininity butch lesbians out to tell all womyn everywhere that they must be non-feminine or non-feminist. She made the argument that she felt more comfortable with men than with womyn, that she preferred to be wearing more sexual clothing and make-up, and that she didn’t think this contradicted her being opposed to sexism.

What is important, here, is the fact that no one told her she couldn’t. In the public feminist press of the past twenty years, there are no prominent speakers arguing that womyn must relinquish their skirts and mascara and high heeled shoes in order to fight patriarchy. The bra burning event remains a myth. Where did this wommon get the idea that she couldn’t be a feminist if she wanted to wear skirts? From a popular media out to maintain the status quo, from a culture afraid to re-evaluate itself and thus defending itself by villianizing the people aiming to change it. When feminists are portrayed as man-hating ugly butch lesbians, who wants to join that crowd?

Where this wommon thought she was supporting my anti-sexism work, she was in reality doing me a great disservice. By posting this letter supporting the patriarchal view of feminism as ugly and anti-femininity, she was in fact supporting sexism by playing to men, not asking for anyone to step back and consider why they would want to wear the clothes they wear. When she says things like “I’m sexist against all genders!” she is using the fact that most people shy away from this touchy subject to turn it into a joke. She is perpetuating sexism by mocking it, and by supporting and perpetuating this view of the very womyn attempting to eliminate it.

Meanwhile, I am well known for my ear-ring fetish, and go nary a day without a skirt. For a feminist, I’m awfully girly. Perhaps my hairy armpits, mostly-shaved head, and lesbianism are what render me “masculine” in mainstream social coding. However I’m “read”, though, is not what is important here. It is the intention behind the appearance. Wearing a skirt because it is fun and comfortable, donning eyeliner because it makes my eyes look sexier is not inherently un-feminist. When it becomes a part of patriarchy is when I believe I can’t leave the house without it, when I am afraid I’ll loose my job because of it, when I am doing it simply to impress others and not to impress myself. Any wommon wearing any outfit she chooses is capable of rewriting our culture to make it safe for people of all gender identities- short skirts are just as feminist as a shaved head.