Feminazi: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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The term was popularized by conservative [[talk-show]] host [[Rush Limbaugh]], who credited his friend Tom Hazlett, a professor of law and economics at [[George Mason University]], with coining the term.<ref name="TheWayp193"/> Limbaugh originally stated that the word “feminazi” not only referred to an extreme feminist but that there were fewer than twenty-five true feminazis in the U.S.<ref name="TheWayp296">Rush H. Limbaugh, ''The Way Things Ought to Be'', Pocket Books, 1992 [http://books.google.com/books?id=XDVMk6q_pm4C&q=%22a+Feminazi+is+a+feminist+to+whom%22&pgis=1 p.296]

:''“Feminazi: Widely misunderstood by most to simply mean ‘feminist’. Not so, boobala [sic]. A Feminazi is a feminist to whom the most important thing in life is ensuring that as many abortions as possible occur. There are fewer than twenty-five known Feminazis in the United States…”''</ref>

Though Limbaugh has claimed these limits to the definition of the term, in practice he has employed it in a much wider context. For example, on April 26, 2004, Limbaugh said, “Some funny comments from the femi-Nazis at the pro-abortion rally in Washington yesterday. Not many. It didn't take long for us to put together our montage, but we'll let you hear it when we come back.” Limbaugh referred to the [[March for Women's Lives]].<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/items/200405020008 Media Matters] "Meet the New Rush, Same as the Old Rush; A Media Matters for America Analysis of The Rush Limbaugh Show"</ref> The march's organizers estimated that 1.5 million people attended.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A41023-2004Apr25?language=printer</ref>

Limbaugh has also used the term to refer to members of the National Center for Women and Policing, the [[Feminist Majority Foundation]], and the [[National Organization for Women]] — which has over 500,000 members.<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/items/200405020008 Media Matters] "Meet the New Rush, Same as the Old Rush; A Media Matters for America Analysis of The Rush Limbaugh Show"</ref><ref>[http://mediamatters.org/items/200601060006 Media Matters] "Repeating "feminazi" comment, Limbaugh reprises familiar theme"</ref><ref>[http://mediamatters.org/items/200705230007 Media Matters] "Limbaugh lashed out at Media Matters and NBC, having declined invitation from Today to respond"</ref>

==Response==

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[[Liberal feminists | Main Stream Feminists]] have argued the term is used as a way to dismiss all feminism and any group run by (or for) women as being extreme. (An example of this can be seen when [[Rush Limbaugh]] referred to the National Center for Women and Policing as feminazis - ''Rush Limbaugh Show (broadcast 22 June 2005)''.)

Many cultural theorists believe the term "feminazi" is one way in which [[social conservative]]s attempt to minimize and marginalize the work of [[liberal feminists]]. This work includes [[equal pay]] initiatives, [[sex discrimination]] and [[sexual harassment]] laws, [[reproductive freedom]]s, promotion of [[Diversity (politics)|diversity]], and legislation that helps protect women from violence.<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/items/200508160001?offset=20&show=1 The "Truth" according to Limbaugh: Feminism established "to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society"]</ref>

Those who have coined and identify with the word point out that having it become the definition of anti-woman through liberal agendas is in error. In fact, the definition does not denigrate those who support equal pay initiatives, sex discrimation laws - this is a common tactic to expand the meaning to move the definition from a distinct group of people to the general population.

Young feminists have observed that social conservatives, like Rush Limbaugh and men's rights groups frequently use the term feminazi to [[stereotype]] the entire feminist movement wihout consideration that the term may actually be used for a small and succinct group. This misunderstanding is often the basis for feminist debate.”<ref>[http://www.gurl.com/findout/label/pages/0,,694923,00.html Label it... Feminist]</ref> As a way to co-opt or de-fuse these derogatory connotations, some feminists have employed the term in a satirical way. [http://www.livejournal.com/community/feminazis One group] posts ironical photos and humorous writing on a website as a way to undermine the stereotype.

===Response to men's rights groups===