unconventional feminisms: or, postmodern narcissism in the third-wave.

I think we’ve all read the newspaper reports that (negatively) call this generation the most selfish, the most apathetic, the most self-entitled. And also think that most feminist bloggers would agree that nothing could be further from the truth. But I have to admit, I am fascinated by the concept of narcissism – which I do think is increasing. The difference is that when I use the term narcissism, and especially when I use it in a postmodern context, I don’t utilize the negative connotation that perhaps older generations are incinuating. We are living in a world that is unstable, dangerous, and uncertain. Former structures of stability are gone, future structures of stability are uncertain. Narcissism has become a necessity in this world. Furthermore, The third-wave has been influenced by postmodernism narcissism. This is my attempt to explore how. 

This paper explores the blogosphere through a lens of postmodernism. The reason I wanted to write this paper, and the reason that I’m posting it here, is because I’m really very interesed in postmodernism, narcissism, and their relationships to the third-wave. The concept for this paper was almost exclusively inspired by Sean Conroy’s article, “The Nightmare of Clever Children: Civilization, Postmodernity, and the Birth of the Anxious Body.”

I would L-O-V-E feedback on this. If you take the time to read, thank you – please let me know your thoughts. And yes, my abstract overlaps a bit with the introduction.

Abstract:

Using unconventional language and technological spaces, American third-wave feminism is forging new ground. Increases in the number of women’s studies programs nationally, as well as increases in nonacademic feminist discourses through the blogosphere, have produced a multidimensional brand of young third-wave feminism. However, the postmodern situation has created unchartered ground for feminism. Acknowledging the deconstruction of normative frameworks of stability, the death of god, and the implications of identity formation without structure or security, I will explore how postmodernity and inevitable postmodern narcissism are influencing the third-wave. Included in this discussion will be the third-wave’s distinction from second-wave feminism and academia, choosing instead to construct a plural and dialectical feminism which rejects former icons and dismisses overarching hegemonies. Specifically, this creation of feminist plurality will be discussed through the tool of the internet blogosphere, a space of self-creation and reimagination that has irrevocably revolutionized third-wave feminist identity formation. I will discuss the blogosphere as a space of modern consciousness-raising, as well as a space of postmodern identity construction and a new embodiment of individualistic feminist ideology. Ultimately, I will ask whether the influence of postmodern narcissism has strengthened feminism by allowing it fluidity and plurality, or if instead it has divided feminism and lost definition.

a feminist gala.

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Feminist Majority Foundation / Ms. Magazine Anniversary Gala in Los Angeles. CGU sponsored the Applied Women’s Studies students to attend. I arrived not really knowing what to expect out of a “anniversary gala”, but the format of the event ended up being a very straightforward collection of short presentation by prominent feminist activists, which included FMF and Ms. leaders as well as actors, politicians, and performers. Among the speakers were Gloria Steinem (!), Eleanor Smeal, Margaret Cho, Kathy Najimy, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Amy Brenneman, Curtis Armstrong, Tyne Daly, Peg Yorkin, and more.

What I came away with from the event was inspiration that seems so foreign in the world of academia. I have to say it was great to be surrounded by fellow students and feminist activists, who together created a fervent and passionate energy that carried the evening into the night.

However. I was disheartened by the ratio of older feminists to younger feminists (or second-wave to third-wave). The event was an anniversary, which could explain the fact that the only two young feminists spoke (together regarding campus feminism) at the very end (after Eleanor Smeal, whose appearance was clearly constructed as the climax of the event). But the references throughout the evening to the ultimate importance of young feminists, along with the constant insistence that feminism was not stagnant, exclusive, or prescriptive (all of which I agree with), would (to me) suggest that second-wave and third-wave feminists would be presented as a unified force, working together for future feminist activism. Instead, I came away with a feeling of a significant *split* among feminism. I’ve reflected on this feeling since last evening, and I’m hoping this feeling isn’t misconstrued. Because I am relatively new to organized feminist activism, I truly hope that I wasn’t misconstruing my perception of the FMF / Ms. gala. That said, I believe there are some truly relevant and articulate young feminists out there who may have been able to contribute to the event – Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards (who I believe have ties to Ms. Magazine), Jessica Valenti (who has become a contemporary feminist icon), and I’m sure choices from a litany of other prominent third-wave feminists could have brought a cohesive element to banish any hint of a generational gap.

I appreciated the opportunity to attend this event and came away feeling inspired and hopeful. But I think I was looking for myself in that collection of presenters. And I don’t think I was the only one. Many southern California women’s studies programs attended the event as well (as we all sat up in the balcony together). Being able to see and hear prominent second-wave feminists speak was incredible.  So incredible that it was almost intimidating to watch. To include third-wave feminist activists as well would have been to include representations of many southern Californian students, representations that may have further inspired, not through presentation alone, but through interconnectedness and relatability, the capability to see our own generation’s effect and involvement in feminism now.