Feminism Matter Bromley Summary

In Feminism Matter: Debates, Theories, Activism, author Victoria L. Bromley not only begins to delve into what it means to be a feminist in today’s society, but also provides the critical background knowledge required to be able fully understand modern feminism. A key factor in understanding any social justice movement is comprehending the difference between subjective knowledge and objective knowledge. Subjective knowledge is knowledge that “...is informed by the person or subject who is speaking” (Bromley, 38). To elaborate, subjective knowledge is derived from an individual’s experience, which often leads to opinions. Opinions are a prime example of subjective knowledge, however it is indisputable that opinions are influenced by bias for

Due to humankind’s desire for conformity, deviating against a social norm is discouraged, which can lead to certain traditions or behaviour to be accepted as normal. The example which Bromley uses in her book is the discourse of capitalism. It is accepted as a social fact that capitalism is the way our society works. However there is no logical proof as to why we do this. This knowledge is socialized into children from a young age so that by the time they are able to form their own coherent opinions, capitalism doesn’t seem like a subjective opinion but rather an indisputable fact of life. This is a perfect example of why understanding the difference between objective knowledge and subjective knowledge is imperative. In order to make any social change, humankind must accept that some ways of life that have been long engrained into society are not scientific facts and are able to - and sometimes should - change. Without this understanding, many civil right’s movements acts would not have

As a white, middle-class woman, I hold much more privilege than people, particularly women, of colour who may fall at or below the poverty line. This has granted me many more opportunities in life, such as the ability to find jobs fairly easily, as well as retaining the resources required to get an education. These are all building blocks to power, as an education hypothetically leads to a well-paying job, which provides financial security and power in a capitalist society. I do experience some backlash when discussing feminist points, usually when in a group of men. I wish I had the privilege to have these debates while taken seriously, instead of being written off as a crazy feminist in attempts to dismiss my opinions. However, as I said, I come from a position of power which I must acknowledge, and understand that my view of feminism is drastically different than those of other women, and it is imperative that I listen to their views as well. This way, together, we can create a better future for feminisms, and for