I am a feminist. I am not a card-carrying member of the Labor party, nor have I voted exclusively for any particular political party in my voting life. To reiterate, I am not a Labor loyalist and I am a feminist. This will seem perplexing to some because opposing sexism is apparently the same as being a leftie.
Now, on its own, I have no issue with being described as a leftie. I do, however, take issue with the label being used as a means of dismissing the merit of any argument out of hand. “Oh look another leftie banging on about sexism”. “Oh look she just hates Tony Abbott.” “Oh look she is a mouthpiece for the Labor party.” I know these lines all too well because they pop up in my social media feed all the time. The shorthand is essentially this: I am simply trying to score political points so I couldn’t possibly be saying anything of merit or substance. It’s maddening.
Today I have read far too many articles condemning “the left” and “feminists” for their apparent silence in regard to Clive Palmer’s disgraceful comments about Peta Credlin in parliament. Aside from being patently untrue, the hypocrisy is eye-watering.
“Where are the “handbag squad” and the “misogyny crew” now?”, many asked. Individual commentators were pounced upon for not reacting fast enough, apparently proof they are just hypocritical and only committed to the cause when it suits their political agenda. Nevermind the fact that Peta Credlin’s boss has only commented on the matter today, there were “so-called sisters” who waited several hours before criticising Palmer. That his “feminist credentials” aren’t in question here is mightily ironic.
But to cover off a few facts first. The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, The Hoopla and this publication were among the various publications (often described as being Left allies) that described, in no uncertain terms, that Clive Palmer’s comments were disgraceful and sexist. I am yet to see a single prominent female journalist say anything other than that.
The fact I even need to state that is indicative of the far bigger, and more sinister, issue at play. That issue is that the credentials of every woman brave enough to call herself a feminist are under constant scrutiny. The underlying assumption in the scrutiny to “catch them out” is that feminism is merely a ruse for their own private agenda. It’s just an indulgent construct of angry women’s own making, rather than being a legitimate cause.
The need for feminism isn’t a fallacy; it’s patently clear. It’s clear because of the way Julia Gillard was treated and the way those who spoke out about it were – and are – treated. It’s clear because of the way in which Peta Credlin’s reproductive plans were bandied about in Parliament. It’s clear when you look at Cabinet and see a single woman among 18 men. It’s clear when you consider that one Australian woman dies every single week at the hands of her partner, and the response to that is, largely, silent. It’s clear when you consider that women earn 17% less than men. It’s clear when you consider the fact that 70% of the 2 billion people around the world who live below the poverty line are women.
Gender inequity and inequality reigns and it’s detrimental – economically and socially — to all of us. Every time a person argues about the credentials of a feminist, or a group of feminists, is an argument in which they’re ignoring the real problem. It’s hard not to conclude that is their intention. Feminists and feminism are not the problem; they are trying to be part of the solution. What about you?