Criticizing from Within

A few days ago, there was a good discussion on New Wave Feminism's tumblr about Ariel Levy's book, Female Chauvinist Pigs. One anonymous follower called it, " the biggest slut-shaming piece of trash ever." And while I don't agree (if anything, Levy's books shames a culture that demands women be sexy without actually being sexual), but I like seeing feminist criticism from within.

I don't want any part of a feminism that tells me I can't criticize another women's work or ideology, lest it be "bad for the sisterhood."

It's far from unknown that feminism isn't without its faults. It's has had its share of homophobia , transphobia, race  and classism; and it's far from unknown that online feminism -- or at least the public face of online feminism -- is overwhelmingly white, cis, straight and middle-class. Criticizing a movement that doesn't speak for all women in healthy, and makes it better. And although part of feminism 101 is being aware of feminism's shortcomings, a lot of its texts are presented uncritically, and ultimately it shuts down discussion.