Third Wave Manifesta

The "Third Wave Manifesta," from Manifesta is truly a very articulate and radical form of feminism that is not necessarily seen in today's mainstream (white-female dominated) feminism. I deeply appreciated the fact that the authors, Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards incorporated the feminists ideologies of women of color in the manifesta as stated point #5. This particular piece also shows the attempts made during the third wave of feminis to include diversity in issues of women's rights by included issues pertaining to poor women and women of the gay/lesbian community. However, I must be critical of the article by stating that there is still room for improvement. I still feel in this article that it is still pertaining to women living in the United States. Class, sexuality, and race (though not in as much detail as it could have been discussed) were mentioned. However, what about the issues of women living in "developed" countries and the fact that we as "Western" women benefit from their exploitation. Issues of imperialism, globalization, and nationalization should be addressed. In addition, it is very hypocritical that many of us, who consider ourselves feminists, will voice our concerns on women's rights, but refuse that some of our "rights," are obtained through the subjugation of others. In engaging in intellectual discourse, we are aware of the many systems of oppression that prevalent within, and outside, our society. I believe that issues of religion, ageism, and "disability," should be discussed in this article. Third Wave Manifesta was successful in naming the various demands that we face as women. At the same time, point #9 was very disturbing. It stated the right for women to have full participation in the armed forces, including that of combat. I say this is disturbing because it does not acknowledge the fact that there are women who are exercising their "right" to military combat by currently killing innocent men, women, and children in the Iraq War. Some of these women will fight for women's rights, while at the same time participate in the militarization of women in countries outside of the United States, as a means to "liberate them." If Point #9 is not clearly specified, it can become very dangerous-which could further "feed" into an oppressive Western form of feminism, and thus further engaging in the notion of "us" and "them." It could end up leading back to the first wave of feminism which only benefited middle-class, White women.