Written in response to this story: http://jimromenesko.com/2013/02/07/beliefnet-tells-writer-dont-use-the-word-feminist-on-your-blog/
First, hooray for Kristine!
She knew her own writing convictions and refused to bend her writing to
fit someone else’s mold. She is
comfortable with the word “feminist” and maybe believes that forcing others
to hear it will gradually soften them to it, or perhaps she does not concern herself
with those who would be offended by such a word. Good for her for standing her ground and
saying no to belief.net’s blog invitation with its stipulations. She knows a good writer must write in the
words of her own soul.
Second, kudos to belief.net for seeing the value of Kristine’s
writings and wanting to share them with their readers, and for knowing their
readers well enough to know they would hear progressive ideas only if they were
not first turned off by hot-button words, against which they have been prejudiced. Belief.net seems to understand that for many
readers, the ideas will be best heard if presented without the familiar
lingo. A reader might be interested in stories
that show gender equality in ministry, but the word “feminist,” which comes
with decades of preconceived baggage, will keep her/him from reading them.
Perhaps this is not a "feminists vs. belief.net" story, but
rather two sides with the same basic goal of getting the gender equality message
out there, to two different audiences. Our on-going fight for equality has plenty of
room for both, and each can accomplish what the other cannot.
Remember the great Alice Paul whose strong tactics were a
turn-off to President Woodrow Wilson. It
was probably his dislike for her, however, which encouraged him to side with Carrie
Catt, who also did not care for Paul’s tactics, and finally after 70 years,
suffrage was won.
Then there’s the story of another Paul, the apostle, who
disagreed so strongly with Barnabas that they parted ways in their
ministry. Yet, their basic message was
the same, and it continued to spread to different listeners.
Kristine and belief.net might not be a perfect match, but
that does not juxtapose them. May Kristine’s blog reach thousands who are ready
to receive her language, and may belief.net find someone else to blog the
feminist message to those who have been taught to fear the word! Hooray for both!
