This is Why I am A Feminist

Last updated on: September 17, 2013 at 8:32 am by Chris Henrichsen

This is Why I am A Feminist 2013-09-17T08:32:13-07:00 Chris Henrichsen

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Few people have influenced my life’s philosophical work than that of the political philosopher Susan Moller Okin. However, I am not a feminist because of Susan Moller Okin.

If you follow this blog, you know I love sharing clips featuring the philosopher Judith Butler. See here, here, and here. As I said on one of posts, “…my work and thought is very different from that of Butler. However, her approach to gender continues to fascinate me…” Yet, I am not a feminist because of Judith Butler.

Today, is Geneva’s 8th birthday. Geneva is my daughter. She is an amazingly insightful and caring little girl. She is powerful. She is assertive. She is confident. She can be difficult sometimes. After all, she is an 8-year-old.

Geneva reminding me how old she is as I dropped her off at school this morning.

Geneva is proud to be a girl. She wants to be a dentist and a mom when she grows up.

I am a feminist because of Geneva. I will fight against any institution which will demean her of make her feel under-valued. One way we do this is by trying to show and teach her, and her brothers, that institutions do not determine her worth.

Can I be a feminist? After all, I am a man. It is not about me, right? Well it is about Geneva. I do not need to be a Mormon feminist…I am a Genevan feminist!

Guided by the ethic of care, my loyalty is to her. It is also to my wife Lyndee, my sister Britt, and my mother Carla. I owe no allegiance to any group or movement, many of which dismiss me outright and seem more than willing to attack women that I respect. Why would I assume that such groups are looking out for Geneva?

Do women need me to protect them? Nope. However, Geneva is eight. She is my daughter. I am her father. It is from the works of feminist philosophers that I learned to appreciate the rich and unique moral bond and moral obligations that comes from that relationship.

Happy Birthday, Geneva

Thank you for loving me.

Thank you for being you!

Thank you for being my feminist hero.

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