The F Word

“The F Word” is a feminist website. It describes itself as a webzine for UK contemporary feminism, the purpose of which is to “help encourage a new sense of community among UK feminists”. Ok, so firstly, what was wrong with the old sense of community, and where did it go? And why exactly does “The F Word” think we need a new one?

Back in the early days of the sixties when, (unlike today), feminism enjoyed a heavyweight intellectual basis, their movement successfully deconstructed a particular way in which injustices became embedded within society. In doing so, they shed light on possibilities for social modernization at a time when virtually every other aspect of people’s lives was characterized by change. In that way, although the primum movens of feminism was justice for women, (which, by the way, is not the same as equality), its intellectual compass was much broader and far more significant.

Today however I’m not such a big fan. There are so many different, and sometimes opposing, strands of opinion trading under the banner of feminism, that now it looks more like a political in-fight between irrelevant pressure groups who seek to seize the f word, and to control its agenda.

There is however one unfortunate quality a lot of these voices seem to share, and that’s an intolerance of people and ideas designated as hostile. Whether it’s “Woman’s Hour” or “The F Word”, criticism is always carefully managed, and routinely censored. Those deemed most critical of the cause are casually dismissed or smeared as misogynist.

For example, let’s look at rule 1 of “The F Word’s” comments policy:

"Have your say

(…or not)

...In order to keep this blog as a feminist and friendly space…

(friends being people who don’t point things out even when we’re wrong)

…comments will be subject to some rules. We do not seek to censor debate:

(…but we’ll mercilessly censor you when you say things that upset us)

...the beauty of the internet is that anyone can set up their own blog or website to express their views.

(good, then you can’t censor this)

1. This blog is a safe and friendly space for feminists and feminist allies.

(This blog isn't)

Debate and critique are welcome where it is constructive and deepens analysis or understanding. Anti-feminist comments will not be approved.

(ergo, anti-feminist comments can never be constructive or deepen analysis or understanding…yep, I’m beginning to understand the kind of debate you welcome, it’s called: meaningless debate)

…We get to decide what's anti-feminist."

(…how Orwellian)

In other words, this is a website that cares more about disseminating “The F Word’s” propaganda, than it does about telling the truth.

But why does this brand of feminism, with its new sense of community, have such an appalling lack of self-confidence? I'd love to ask them, but you know what would happen.