Wouldn't it be wonderful if every teacher, counselor, and administrator had a tool in their toolkit that helped students break down damaging gender stereotypes, build a positive and strong sense of self, and promote a more just and equitable society? Feminism is that tool, friends! (There are others, but it's a REALLY good one!)
Feminism is a key aspect of diversity education and a historical political and human rights movement (for that reason alone you should discuss it with your students). Exploring the themes of feminism can imbue your students with a healthy sense of personal power, while also sensitizing them to oppressions and inequalities that are rooted in sex and gender identities.
If you are still reading this, I probably don't have to tell you that feminism is NOT about hating men. I love bell hooks' definition of feminism in her book Feminism is for Everybody:
“Simply put, feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. (...). Practically, it is a definition which implies that all sexist thinking and action is the problem, whether those who perpetuate it are female or male, child or adult. It is also broad enough to include an understanding of systemic institutionalized sexism.
She also has a wonderfully succinct statement of what it means to be a feminist in Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism:
“To be ‘feminist’ in any authentic sense of the term is to want for all people, female and male, liberation from sexist role patterns, domination, and oppression.”
I mean, if you're not on board with that...you're not only hurting other people, you're hurting yourself! And yet, feminism is still a movement that is targeted with hate and misinformation. Can't imagine why! (Hint: the patriarchy).
So what can we learn from feminism? A LOT! Whether you have the time to discuss this with your students or not, learning about feminism can transform YOU as well as the way you teach and interact with your students.
Click here to download the second free Educator Worksheet in my Learning from Feminism series. I am obsessed with this piece and all it stands for! Use this worksheet to prepare and organize a lesson and discussion around this text for your students. It’s most appropriate for grades 9-12, but you know your students best. The worksheet has several discussion questions that you can adapt or use as is with your class. You could also use this worksheet with your peers at your next PD ;-) I hope you give it a shot, I think your students will love it!
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