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Is feminism today a growing movement, or just 'empty' rhetoric?

How powerful is mainstream feminism today? We hear from writers Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Jessa Crispin, who stake out duelling positions on contemporary feminism with new manifestos.
The Current · CBC ·
Writers Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Jessa Crispin have different takes on contemporary feminism. (Wani Olatunde and courtesy of Jessa Crispin )

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The argument against mainstream feminism 

Jessa Crispin is fed up with contemporary feminism.

The culture and literary critic says the word has become "empty" and meaningless after years of misuse. 

"It has become so co-opted by Ivanka Trump, by Taylor Swift, by pop stars, by shoe companies, and so now when somebody says 'I'm a feminist' or 'this is a feminist belief' it doesn't convey information," says Crispin. 
Feminism has become meaningless, says culture and literary critic Jessa Crispin. (Courtesy of Jessa Crispin)

"It doesn't pinpoint what your philosophical viewpoint is anymore in the way that it used to."

Crispin's disappointment is outlined in her new book, Why I Am Not A Feminist: A Feminist Manifesto.

"Feminism used to be a political ideology. Ivanka Trump's ideology is money and power, and Taylor Swift's ideology is money and power and so that just by the basic definition of trying to live in a society without hierarchy — that's a complete and total contradiction," Crispin says.

It's not enough to just call yourself a feminist, Crispin points out.

"You can call yourself a unicorn, that doesn't make you a unicorn."

Crispin is not alone in rejecting mainstream feminism, but there are other prominent women who are more hopeful.
 

Why we should all be feminists

Nigerian-American writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie also wrote a manifesto about feminism. Her book is called Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, and is structured as a guide to raising feminist daughters.

The author, who gained fame with her novels Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, begins her manifesto with a message to mothers.
Writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie poses with a prize for her second novel Half of a Yellow Sun. (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP)

"Be a full person. Motherhood is a glorious gift, but do not define yourself solely by motherhood. Be a full person. Your child will benefit from that."​

She argues it's not just about acknowledging that women — because they are women — have been deprived of political economic, social — not just rights — but opportunities. It's also about wanting to make it better.

"For me feminism is always contextual," says Ngozi Adichie, saying the solution to gender injustice does not have one single answer.

"I've become much more aware of how the solution has to be a conversation, an action plan, a change but whatever it is, it has to involve men and women."

When it comes to raising children, she says it's important to teach boys that vulnerability is a good thing.

"We need to teach boys that it's okay to cry. And we also need to teach girls that it's okay for boys to cry because I think that's often a problem as well."

Listen to the full episode at the top of this web post.