I’m not the kind of feminist who says “I’m not a feminist, but …” – thereby disclaiming all the mannish and confrontational aspects of accepting the label “feminist” while embracing all of the legislative equalizers and social freedoms so hard won by those strident, shrill, bluestockings from whom we must keep our distance, lest we … actually, I don’t know the “lest” part. “I’m not a feminist, but …” says a young Hollywood actress … but?

But I’d like to see women portrayed on screen as the complex individuals they are in role life? But I’d like not to have to audition in a bikini? But I’d like not to have to respond to auditions which read “Must have a lean dancer body. Must have real breasts. Do not submit if you have implants.” But I’d like to have economic autonomy over my own life? But I’d like to speak my mind and still wear lipstick?

Yeah, I don’t get the “I’m not a feminist, but …”

I am a feminist.

However, I am the kind of feminist who lets other feminists do my dirty work for me.

One of those feminists who does my dirty work for me is Melissa Silverstein, over at Women and Hollywood.

I’m not just saying this because she recently, graciously gave me a place as a guest blogger on her site to discuss my friend Hilari Scarl’s film "See What I'm Saying"

But that was nice.

If you subscribe to my blog, consider subscribing to hers. Far-reaching, tireless, opinionated, rigorously focused. And feminist.

Labels: feminism, filmmakers, See What I'm Saying, Women and Hollywood

posted by Elizabeth at 1:56 PM