Emailbag: Pick Another Topic for an Essay Edition.

Update: In the Comments Lounge, the questioner clarifies her question: "To clarify, I chose this topic out of 6 selections (none of the others had anything to do with feminism) The Prof gave us a thesis statement and we have the option of arguing its opposite.
I chose this topic over others because in addition to feeling strongly that pioneering women have made huge gains in society on my behalf, I do wish to educate myself on radical feminism as a whole. It is not my opinion at this point that Radical Feminism has hurt feminism. I do feel as though I should research the topic at hand before coming to any comclusions on my own. I asked for flea's help in pointing me towards feminist authors. I didn't really know of any until she mentioned Ms. Dworkin many months ago. Perhaps instead of mocking the thesis statement that my Professor gave to the class, someone could point me in the direction of some texts or journals that could disprove the thesis statement. That is the help I am seeking."

Please try to keep the comments constructive. I think they've been mostly constructive so far, but I want to keep a lid on hurt feelings.

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I started a political science class today and found out I have an essay due in three weeks on how Radical Feminism has hurt feminism as a whole.(opinion) Could you recommend any authors to me? I know in the past you've mentioned Andrea Dworkin.

I would really appreciate any advice you could give me!




First of all, I want to clarify that I have never suggested that I think Andrea Dworkin has hurt feminism as a whole. Although she and I don't think along the exact same lines, I've always encouraged people to read what she's written.

Anyway, I think a much better essay would be about how the religious right has hurt feminism as a whole more in one day than Andrea Dworkin did in her entire career, to be honest.

It isn't my intention to come across harshly, and I apologize if I'm giving that impression, but I can't think of any other way to say this: I'm really sorry, but I just can't help anybody tear down women who devoted their entire lives to making my life better. Because of radical feminism, women like me can own our own homes, acquire our own credit cards, choose the number of children we'd like to have, and walk around at night a little more safely.

I may not always appreciate their rhetoric, I may object to their tone, I may not agree with statements they make, but I absolutely know one thing - if I desperately needed help, these women would help me, no strings attached. I can't say the same for very many other groups of people.

I may not be a very good feminist, but even I have to draw the line somewhere.