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11:30 am - 12/02/2012

Carla Bruni Apologizes For Feminism Remarks After Twitter Backlash



Après Carla Bruni, le déluge. Or at least that's what happened when the former French first lady was quoted in the latest issue of Paris Vogue saying, "My generation doesn't need feminism." Cue the backlash.

In a swift response, French women’s-rights group "Osez le Féminisme!" ("Dare To Be A Feminist"), sent a call out to Twitter, asking followers to tweet why feminism is needed using the hashtag #ChereCarlaBruni (#DearCarlaBruni). We're sure the ensuing barrage of responses made Carla think twice about her statements.

French female senator Laurence Rossignol sent out a particularly noteworthy response to the call, replying in a tweet that translates to, "#ChèreCarlaBruni As long as I get asked whether I am the senator's assistant, the next generation will need feminism."

So, naturally, when Elle.fr spoke to the former supermodel during a phone interview, conversation turned to the pink elephant in the room: any second thoughts, Carla? Well, yes, actually. The supermodel claims that she "completely understands" the negative response, but her words were taken "out of context":

"This phrase is very clumsy and poorly translates my thoughts. It should have read: 'I have never personally felt the need to be a feminist activist'... I imagine I am [a feminist] if feminism means claiming one's freedom. But I am not if it means being committed in an active way to the fight that some women are still leading today... I admire their bravery a lot, but I have chosen to commit myself elsewhere."


Source
raquettes 2nd-Dec-2012 05:42 pm (UTC)
Is it some edgy trend or are they afraid they're going to lose fans if they dare proclaim themselves as feminist? Jeez.
emptyobsidian 2nd-Dec-2012 06:16 pm (UTC)
I don't get it either-why are so many women who could potentially be in leadership roles acting like the word feminism is a bad word or something they would never be? It is disappointing.
crup 2nd-Dec-2012 06:22 pm (UTC)
Because people don't know what feminism is and assume it means that feminists HATE ALL MEN EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! An alarming number of people I talk to say they're not feminists because they "shave and don't hate men" or some similar BS.
anwyn18 2nd-Dec-2012 08:35 pm (UTC)
Or they're for equal rights for EVERYONE, not just women, so they're not reaaaaaly feminist. Mealy mouthed bullshit.
viakenny 2nd-Dec-2012 11:29 pm (UTC)
So, "feminism"/"feminist" has turned into a derogatory term.
Do you have any alternative, or so-called "politically correct" terms for what's currently called "feminism", like there are for other marginalized groups/causes?
anwyn18 2nd-Dec-2012 11:35 pm (UTC)
My suggestion is that we follow the example of other marginalize groups, and take the word back. Instead of abandoning the word and all the progress that has come as a direct result of it, how about we all stand up and add our voices? If you don't like what other feminists are calling feminism, then add your voice to the mix and prove that feminists are diverse.
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