Let's Decode Our Language!

I was reading an article by Catharine MacKinnon called 'Desire and Power' and I wanted to share some interesting points raised. MacKinnon theorizes that we speak a coded language when we talk about gender relations and feminism. When it comes to important issues, we have highly coded conversations. In order to unlock the code, we must be able to engage in a constructive, hands-on conversation. According to MacKinnon, there are three parts in developing constructive language. The first conversation is in the form of an argument. MacKinnon wants to define feminism instead of focusing on who is allowed to define feminism. She believes that women altogether can constitute a fair definition of feminism, and that collectively, their experiences can speak more volume than a sole definition. The second part of the dialogue involves targeting the initial argument and analyzing its implications. The last part of the dialogue will address questions that haven't been answered yet. She wants to take responsibility for her position by following these steps in order to unlock the code to the discussion of feminism.

MacKinnon argues that feminism is 'the molding, direction, and expression of sexuality which organizes society into two sexes, women and men' (MacKinnon). Sexuality is part of the social process that initiates desires and executes it. Women and men are created, and it's their relationships that create society. Sexuality has a direct relationship to feminism. MacKinnon also discusses how eroticism, domination, and submission create gender, which in turn, is sexualized. The male point of view has forced itself upon all epistemological thought. Because of this, women have been eroticized and demeaned for a very long time, leaving very little room for constructive outlets for women. It is time for women to engage in constructive dialogue and appropriate the agenda. Language is powerful- and we hold that power.