19th Century Feminist Movements

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Waves Metaphor of Feminist History
If you have ever been involved in a discussion on feminist history, chances are you have heard these histories discussed as waves. Feminism is often described in terms of a first, second, third and/or fourth wave referring to specific historical moments in which feminist resistance and the fight for equal rights have risen like a wave in an ocean before crashing down. While it helps organize how we think of the history of major feminist goals, this metaphor has also been critiqued for being a bit incomplete and thus problematic. The reality is that these fights for equality do not stop “between” waves. Instead the movements inform and support each other and often provide critique in order to expand and strengthen these efforts. The “waves” also tend to focus on narrow segments of gender and feminist movement, centered on the needs and actions of white, middle and upper class women without as much consideration for abolitionist, Civil Rights, and queer movements. Because they are still so commonly discussed, it is helpful to know the “waves” while remaining critical.

First Wave- Citizenship & Suffrage
This week you will read up on what has come to be called the First Wave of the Feminist Movement which took place in the late 1800s and into the early 1900s as white, middle and upper class women famously fought to grant basic citizenship rights for women to earn money, own property, and to vote. At the same time, many activists were focused on abolitionist movements that fought to end slavery and racial oppression alongside gender based oppression.

In the US, women didn’t earn the right to vote until 1920. However, while the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote, it did not address ongoing issues of voter suppression based on race and other factors. State laws in many places deliberately kept many Black Americans from voting by using poll taxes and literacy tests as well as turning a blind eye to violence and lynching used to scare people from the polls. Black women wouldn’t fully have access to the right to vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Sample Solution

Strengths of the “Waves” Metaphor:

  • Provides a simple framework: The metaphor of waves offers a straightforward way to categorize and understand different periods of feminist activism.
  • Highlights cyclical nature: It suggests a cyclical pattern of feminist movements, with periods of intense activity followed by periods of relative calm.
  • Emphasizes momentum: The image of waves implies a sense of forward momentum and progress.

Weaknesses of the “Waves” Metaphor:

  • Oversimplifies complexity: Feminist history is not a linear progression of distinct waves; it’s a complex and interconnected series of movements.
  • Neglects overlap and continuity: The metaphor can obscure the overlapping and continuous nature of feminist struggles across different time periods.
  • Centers white, middle-class experiences: It often privileges the experiences of white, middle-class women, neglecting the diverse struggles of women of color, working-class women, and women from marginalized communities.
  • Implies a finite number of waves: The use of numbered waves suggests a finite number of feminist movements, which may be misleading.

In conclusion, while the “waves” metaphor provides a useful framework for understanding feminist history, it’s important to recognize its limitations. It’s crucial to consider the complexities and intersections of feminist movements, especially those that have been marginalized or overlooked. By doing so, we can develop a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of feminist history.

 

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