In the book “The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid”, the main character Jemima Kincaid goes through the book trying to figure out what being a feminist means and how to get it right. Her self-identity of a warrior feminist has shaped the way she thinks and acts (tough and unyielding). However, as she grows and matures, she realises she can be a feminist without constantly hating on those around her.
One argument she often came up against was “women already have freedom” and this isn’t true. Jemima says that even though women can work and make money, there is still a significant wage gap and men have the legal protection against gender discrimination at work while women don’t. Furthermore, there is a difference in the way women are treated in society. Jemima sees how the Triumvir leaders (Student council presidents) have always been male; and are expected to be male. Telling us that instinctively, we have grown up believing that men are best suited in positions of power.
Jemima Kincaid is fierce. She’s confident and isn’t ashamed for fighting for what she believes in. This leads her to be known as angry and aggressive. However, when Andy (the triumvir leader) fights for what he believes in, he is praised. Honestly, anyone would be angry if they were in Jemima’s position. Jemima used logic and experience to explain the inequality, and yet she is dismissed as an “angry woman”.
Another point that Jemima often encountered was the claim that “feminism is sexist/oppression against men”. Oppression goes only in one direction. From the privileged oppressor to the oppressed; this is most definitely not what feminism is. The dictionary definition is the theory of the political, economical, and social equality of the sexes. No where in the definition does it mention discriminating against men. Sexism is where a certain gender or sex is discriminated against, to the point where they are seen as less than or inferior to the dominant group. Though controversial, that is the truth. Can women be biased against men? Yes definitely, however, since women are not in a greater position of power socially, it cannot be defined as oppression or sexism. Though everyone is hurt by misogyny and patriarchy (unfair expectations), men are not oppressed by women.
Feminism is the construction of gender equality, nowhere in the definition is there any intent of going against anyone. Jemima slowly learns this lesson throughout the course of the book, and through that process begins to understand herself better as well.
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