Post- modern Feminism

[astha agrawal]

"Gender is a doing and not being!" "all of us perform gender!" This
idea of Judith Butler shook my entire understanding of gender when I
first came across it. All this while I had read that "sex" is
naturally created while "gender" is culturally constructed. So, when
someone says that my entire identity is a social construct, I find it
little difficult to digest. If you ask me who I am? the first thought
is of a woman and then later I employ my introspective and diplomatic
skills to be nuanced and politically correct! I do not say that Butler
is entirely wrong. She definitely has a point because stereotypes play
a very important role in creating one's identity.It also is more
inclusive in the sense that it refrains from dichotomising society on
the lines of heterosexuality and embraces LGBT community with dignity.
But, to say that my identity changes with my actions complicate the
situation because it challenges the whole idea of "shared sense of
togetherness" and once again leaves individuals as atoms! Feminism
today is a product of all previous waves that washed the shore of
hegemonic idea of gender inequality being "natural". And post-modern
feminism have successfully unleashed its ideas. But, the idea is mind-
boggling a needs attention.

What do you think about it??

Thank you
Astha