Amy Siskind: Feminist Analysis

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Amy Siskind, writer, national spokesperson, Wall Street executive, as well as President and Co-founder of The New Agenda claims that feminism is similar to a group of exclusionary, clique-y “mean girls” (Siskind 64). Siskind argues that if feminism becomes pro-woman, she can stand shoulder to shoulder with men who “support and admire strong, powerful, independent women” (Siskind 64). The feminism she cites is where men’s rights and issues are ignored, and even where men are demonized.

Prime examples of situations where men are demonized is in internet media that goes viral. One of the most popular is the now infamous catcalling video, where the it is made clear that street harassment from men need to stop, or even be illegal. The problem is that there is no distinction made between downright creepy behavior, or a hello. Therefore, it is implied that a man who says hello to an attractive woman is a misogynist promoting the patriarchy.
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The video says there are over 100 incidents of street harassment in the 10 hour period. A non-profit organization against street harassment, Hollaback!, claims that street harassment is a “power dynamic that constantly reminds [women] of their vulnerability”(Hollaback!). It is severely flawed since it shows less than two minutes of incidents, half of which were versions of “hello!” Remember, this video showed repeated harassment, but it took place over 10 hours, and not every other

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