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Amazon feminism is dedicated to the image of the female hero in fiction and in fact, as it is expressed in art and literature in the physiques and feats of female athletes, martial artists, and other powerfully built women, and in gender-related and sexual orientations. Camille Paglia's interpretation of the "Uranian Aphrodite" is a good example of Amazon Feminism.
Amazon Feminism is an example of an evolutionary branch-off of Anarcha-Feminism, Third-wave feminism, and Riot Grrrl. It is best associated as forming during the 1990s via the writings of Camille Paglia. Although, eventually historical criticism may uncover more examples of Amazon Feminism in the writings of various authors.
Female Athletes
The Ms. Olympia competition, started in 1980, gave great boost to the image of the physically strong woman. The first winner, Rachel McLish, did a lot to spread the idea of a muscular but feminine woman, and acted as a female hero in two films of limited success.
Major concerns of Amazon Feminism
Amazon feminism is concerned about physical equality and is opposed to gender role stereotypes and discrimination against women based on assumptions that women are supposed to be, look or behave as if they are passive, weak, and physically helpless.
Amazon feminism rejects the idea that certain characteristics or interests are inherently masculine (or feminine), and upholds and explores a vision of heroic womanhood. Amazon feminism supports and celebrates women who attain and express mental and physical prowess, for example female strength athletes, martial artists, soldiers/women in combat, firefighters, lumberjacks, astronauts, powerlifters, wrestlers, boxers, etc.
The confidence and physical strength displayed by these women appeals to a sizeable group of men. Demonstrating the appeal of Amazon feminism, some of these men participate in contests of physical strength and athletic skill by wrestling female bodybuilders and other female strength athletes.
Criticism of Amazon Feminism
Some might equate Amazon Feminism with feminazism, misandry, Ayn Rand *, and a severe hatred of masculinism, patriarchy, and the stereotype femme. It could also be associated with extremes view such as the SCUM Manifesto, which advocated a violent anarchic revolution to create an all-female society. Also, some criticize it as being anti-feminist, due to its connection to Camille Paglia and anti-men due to its connection with Valerie Solanas.
As noted in the writings of Camille Paglia, Amazon Feminism is not opposed to masculinism. Amazon Feminism is seeking true gender equality through strong "physical" examples of woman, not the promotion of misandrous rhetoric. Also, Amazon Feminism is strongly opposed to the equal-opportunity feminism of Catharine MacKinnon and Andrea Dworkin.
Origin of the term Amazon Feminism
The origin of the term "Amazon Feminism" can be traced to several sources, depending on the textual and contextual interpretations. The most notable are those by Thomas Gramstad:
The Female Hero can also be found in the essay anthology Feminist Interpretations of Ayn Rand, which is edited by Mimi Reisel Gladstein and Chris Matthew Sciabarra (Pennsylvania State University Press, 1999).
Of course, a more aesthetic origin of "Amazon Feminism" is noted:
Mass media fiction
Films
History
Literature
Mythology
See also
- Amazons
- Heroine
- Superheroine
- List of superhero teams and groups
- Tomboy
- Goddess
- Goddess movement
- Kali
- Matriarchy
- Matriarch
- Female roles in the military
- Monika Treut
External links
- On The Trail of the Women Warriors - Lyn Webster Wilde is the author of the book with the same title.
- Lothene Experimental Archaeology - Women as warriors in history.
- Real Knockouts: The Physical Feminism of Women's Self-Defense - An interview with the author of the book with the same title.
- The Amazon Connection - A guide to online resources about Amazons, aiming to cover the entire spectrum of meaning that has been attributed to the term Amazon.
- Amazons International - A newsletter dedicated to the image of the Amazon or female hero in fiction and in fact, in art and literature, in the physiques and feats of female athletes, and in gender-related and sexual orientations.
"Amazon feminism"