In a speech on the "state of women in America" Thursday, Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina sought to reclaim "feminism," a word she said had been co-opted by the left.
"The left has controlled this conversation," she said in a call with the media before the event. "They have defined the term 'feminism' and 'feminist' in a certain way. And I think it's important that we reclaim that term."
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Fiorina and "feminism" follows in this tradition, and it comes at a key time in a party that's struggling with female voters; in 2012, the Democratic-Republican gender gap was the widest it had been since Gallup began tracking in 1952, at 20 points.
Fiorina tried to place herself within that tradition, saying on the call she was in a "unique position" to comment on the state of women in America. "It has been 95 years since women got the right to vote, 50 years since the "Feminine Mystique," 16 years since I was named the first female CEO of a Fortune 50 company," said the former Hewlett-Packard head. She mentioned the low number of female chief executives at Standard & Poor's 500 companies -- only 23 -- and said, "realizing the potential of women isn't just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do."
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It sounds similar to the sort of rhetoric we hear from Democrats about women, but there's little reason to think there couldn't be a Republican audience for it, too. And indeed, Fiorina's take on feminism was trending on social media this week.
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After all, feminism is a word that could apply to most Americans. A March Vox poll found 78 percent of Americans believe in the "social, political, legal and economic equality of the sexes," yet only 18 percent consider themselves feminists. For a large number of Americans, it seems, the word is unwelcoming, not the concept. Part of that is political -- a 2013 Huffington Post-YouGov poll found Democrats were more likely than Republicans to consider themselves feminists -- but there's also concern the word is extreme, and something that pits women against men, as we've seen from some of the answers female pop stars and actresses have given when asked if they're feminists.
Fiorina's definition of a feminist is "a woman who lives the life she chooses." It's a more nonpartisan definition -- liberals would say a watered-down one -- and might be more welcoming at a time when a majority don't identify with the word but believe in equality for women.
And as a political strategy goes, it's not a bad one for a long shot like Fiorina or her party. After all, she's the only major female candidate in the GOP field.
There definitely is a fiscally conservative/socially moderate female voting base that is largely ignored by GOP candidates. They have to end up voting Democratic because the GOP will not get out of the "stone age" on social issues.
This could resonate...Queen is on to something here.
The two things don't generally go hand in hand because Republicans/Conservatives/right-wing people are disgusting
They're sexist, racist & homophobic, amongst other things...
Her definition is all wrong too. A feminist is not "a woman who lives the life she chooses" because
a) you don't need to be a woman to be a feminist
b) not all women can live the life of their choice
A feminist is someone who believes men and women are equal and should be treated as such.
Plain and simple.
The two things don't generally go hand in hand because Republicans/Conservatives/right-wing people are disgusting
They're sexist, racist & homophobic, amongst other things...
Carly is trying to change that stigma, extending an olive branch if you will. Also you can be fiscally conservative/moderate or even liberal on social issues. A lot more women would vote republican if the party would only moderate on social issues.
The two things don't generally go hand in hand because Republicans/Conservatives/right-wing people are disgusting
They're sexist, racist & homophobic, amongst other things...
Her definition is all wrong too. A feminist is not "a woman who lives the life she chooses" because
a) you don't need to be a woman to be a feminist
b) not all women can live the life of their choice
A feminist is someone who believes men and women are equal and should be treated as such.
Plain and simple.
Carly is trying to change that stigma, extending an olive branch if you will. Also you can be fiscally conservative/moderate or even liberal on social issues. A lot more women would vote republican if the party would only moderate on social issues.
That just shows what trash Republicans are
Even though they know they could gain more votes by accepting women, they won't do it because they genuinely believe women are inferior.
The two things don't generally go hand in hand because Republicans/Conservatives/right-wing people are disgusting
They're sexist, racist & homophobic, amongst other things...
Her definition is all wrong too. A feminist is not "a woman who lives the life she chooses" because
a) you don't need to be a woman to be a feminist
b) not all women can live the life of their choice
A feminist is someone who believes men and women are equal and should be treated as such.
Plain and simple.
Her definition is all wrong too. A feminist is not "a woman who lives the life she chooses" because
a) you don't need to be a woman to be a feminist
b) not all women can live the life of their choice
A feminist is someone who believes men and women are equal and should be treated as such.
Plain and simple
She was speaking to women directly, not men.
... and how is "a woman who lives the life she chooses" not a feminist...if a woman chooses to be a football player, welder, auto mechanic, ect...how are they not feminists? Are they not competing for equality in those male dominated areas? Even Carly rose through the male dominated ranks to become the first woman CEO of a fortune 50 company, so of course she knows all about the inequality struggles women face in the workforce.
... and how is "a woman who lives the life she chooses" not a feminist...if a woman chooses to be a football player, welder, auto mechanic, ect...how are they not feminists? Are they not competing for equality in those male dominated areas? Even Carly rose through the male dominated ranks to become the first woman CEO of a fortune 50 company, so of course she knows all about the inequality struggles women face in the workforce.
The majority of those women are probably feminists (though not all, you could be a female mechanic and still believe women are inferior and should just do what men say.), but that's not the definition of a feminist.
Not all women can live the life of their choice. Many live their entire lives oppressed obviously through no fault of their own. Are they not feminists?
The majority of those women are probably feminists (though not all, you could be a female mechanic and still believe women are inferior and should just do what men say.), but that's not the definition of a feminist.
Not all women can live the life of their choice. Many live their entire lives oppressed obviously through no fault of their own.
A woman could be a fashion model and think the same thing, tbh. Edit: I highly doubt a woman that goes to work in a male dominated profession would have that viewpoint.
Your right, some women don't have a voice...and yes they should be heard. You'd have to agree though that it is a good thing for Carly Fiorina to try and start the discussion even though it is not a popular subject within her own party...having a candidate within the GOP take a pro-woman stance is rather refreshing.
That just shows what trash Republicans are
Even though they know they could gain more votes by accepting women, they won't do it because they genuinely believe women are inferior.
why do you keep generalizing and assuming things about Republicans? The idiotic talking heads on fox are not representative of all republicans and not even most. You're being extremely ignorant while trying to fight ignorance? ok
Educate yourself
Lol she may be a feminist but she also laid off 30,000 American Workers during her tenure at HP and caused the stock to crash to half its value to the point she was forced to resign.
A woman could be a fashion model and think the same thing, tbh. Edit: I highly doubt a woman that goes to work in a male dominated profession would have that viewpoint.
Your right, some women don't have a voice...and yes they should be heard. You'd have to agree though that it is a good thing for Carly Fiorina to try and start the discussion even though it is not a popular subject within her own party...having a candidate within the GOP take a pro-woman stance is rather refreshing.
It's a positive thing if done correctly, but what she's saying is incorrect.
Yes, a fashion model could think the same thing. I'm just saying: a woman choosing her own job doesn't necessarily mean she's a feminist (which is one of the many reasons why Carly is incorrect).
Lol she may be a feminist but she also laid off 30,000 American Workers during her tenure at HP and caused the stock to crash to half its value to the point she was forced to resign.
I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt on stuff like these. Barely anyone takes joy in laying off a lot of people like that and maybe her leading style forced this to happen, but it doesn't stop her from being a feminist. She's not a good businesswomen for sure, but I don't think she did it on purpose.
