The F-Word: Feminism in Jeopardy: Women, Politics, and the Future: A Tsunami in History by Kristin Rowe Finkbeiner - Quotes

Well for one, I really dig the title of this book, The F-Word, written by Kristin Rowe—and no, I did not clone her concept to my keyboard as my own. The chapter, "A Tsunami in History," was a good read to open the floor, gain a better understanding, and acquire some sort of appreciation for the optimal feminist. Still, there were some specific things that really stood out to me:


When discussing the opportunities that are now available to women as a result of the sacrifice and service paid by many earlier feminists, Finkbeiner raises concern 
with young women today not understanding the gravity and significance of their involvement in bringing this movement forward and the responsibility that bears with taking on the role as a feminist. Finkbeiner talks about how the women in her family pass down a symbolic ring that represents the power and obligation that expected of her: she calls it "a gift, and a responsibility." She suggests that it is every young and adult woman's duty to honor all of the past women who sacrificed and fought relentlessly to bring women where they are in world today. In fact, I stand firmly behind Finkbeiner. She illustrates the timeline on women's liberation and feminism through three waves: the first wave was getting the right to vote. When these women started this movement men and the rest of society did not have tolerance for it and women had close to no authority. Many women were uneducated so it made having a powerful voice a rare breed in feminism. These optimal women not only battled against sexism and misogyny, but even led abolitionists in the fight to end slavery. Many women were arrested, beaten, and victimized mentally and physically. Finkbeiner makes known that it would only be a women not doing her part if she were to preoccupy her life with all the advantages the older feminist made possible. 
Kristin Rowe Finkbeiner writes that it isn't just important to honor these women of the past by continuing their legacy, but it's important to take advantage of the opportunities that have been made available in order to open new/more doors of opportunity for the future generations. Although getting the right to vote in 1920 was probably the most monumental achievement, it didn't happen overnight. "The amendment was reintroduced every year for the next forty years before it finally passed:" and when it did there were many stipulations to hinder women from being able to vote, mainly the women who desired change the most. 
The second wave took place during the civil rights movement. Women fought for equal opportunities within the workforce, against segregation and homosexuality. Finkbeiner states the third wave is a little harder to define. "The feeling that individual concerns ass up to societal issues in need of electoral (legislative, voting, and candidate) action has been lost, along with flower power and rainbow suspenders, as the second wave fades." This may not sound too bad at first but if you really think about what's being said it's pretty scary. The way I perceive it is our society is basically saying, "hey, look, you got what you wanted, we gave you what we think is fair and it was your choice to bombard us with gay and lesbian rights so you'll just have to be happy with what you have." 

http://www.feminist.org/research/chronicles/chronicl.html

It's also pretty clear that many people believe that we have already obtained pure equality between men and women. Unfortunately we have a long way to go.