This work scrutinizes the prefix-based language of post-backlash feminism and calls for a reclamation of American feminist terminology. Questioning the merits of “Do–Me–feminism,” “Eco–feminism,” and “girlie,” among other isms, the author argues that the proliferation of so-called “prefix feminisms” has weakened the feminist movement by narrowing its focus into shallow interpretations of a broad social and political cause. The author assesses anti-feminist media coverage, particularly following the Reagan administration and the Clinton-Lewinski affair, and concludes that efforts to reclaim a pro-woman politic must begin with reclaiming pro-woman language.

Kellie Bean is an associate professor of English at Marshall University. She lives in Huntington, West Virginia.

Kellie Bean

over (6 x 9)
Pages: 199
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2007
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3118-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8021-0
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1
Introduction      3

1. Fellating Patriarchy: Men’s Magazine Feminism      15
2. The Vexed Body Politic: Ms. Lewinsky, Mr. Clinton and the Feminist Establishment      40
3. “A Gaggle of Dutiful Daughters”: Feminism Does the Waves      65
4. Booby Traps and Botox: Putting the Fun Back into Politics      93
5. What a Wonderful World It Would Be      122
6. “MacKinnon Was Wrong”: A Little Rape Never Hurt Anyone      149
7. Conclusion: A Signifier of One’s Own      176

Bibliography      187
Index      191

• “engaging”—Ohioana Quarterly
• “this book should be a required text for a political science or women’s history course”—Counterpoise