have you been burned?

I am a bit curious. Since it seems like feminism and things associated with it get a bad rep., I am curious as to why that is, and more specifically what were those times where you have been burned by feminism? (if of course you want to share). However on the flip side, personally I can't think of a time specifically, and in turn have had really positive interactions with feminism. Are these times where people have felt hurt, or intimidated or frustrated with feminism in turn given the movement a negative tint for them? Is there anything we should be aware of in planning gswa activities to help these things not to happen again? are there issues that we should discuss? At least in my opinion feminism is a really vibrant and life giving thing, yet in the midst of that energy it can have a tendency to burn people and hurt people just as any social movement/construction does. how can we as gswa and as young women be more attentive to this?

on a side note, the book "full frontal feminism" by jessica valenti is worth checking out. she is the founder of feministing.com (the link is on the right) which is a great feminist blog to check out. she addresses many myths of feminism and has a very informal conversational writing style that makes it a fast read and incredibly entertaining. she is definitely not afraid to say what she thinks, which i think we all too often take for granted and never seem to completely do. i own it and in the fall would be glad to lend it out.

aaand we are currently in talks with courtney e. martin who wrote another fab book entitled "perfect girls, starving daughters" (of which i'm 3/4 of the way through) to come and speak on campus in october. i am really excited about this opportunity and think it will be a great way to discuss the important yet taboo topics of body image, eating disorders etc. on campus. courtney and jessica were both at the NWSA (national women's studies assoc.) conference this summer in illinois and i hope are planning to attend next year.

and again, we are welcome to any and all of your ideas related to gswa and how to make it a place for everyone to feel welcome and place of authentic community for goshen college women.