 | |
 Beginning with my first whiff of feminism in the late '60s, of course I assumed that sexual freedom was at its heart. Especially since the Women's Movement began in that same burst of revolutionary enthusiasm that included what we called The Sexual Revolution. It was the most natural thing in the world to take for granted that sex was on the feminist agenda. How could we ever be economically or politically free if we didn't feel we owned and loved our bodies? Each woman has her own dragons in regards to sex, beginning with what went on in the nursery; mother was our first and most lasting example of a woman, including a model of a sexual woman. It's hell to break the asexual rules laid down in the nursery, especially since they are perpetuated by the Nice Girl Rules of our youth. Only a strong body of women could change those controlling rules that determined when we were little that no one girl could have more than any other. It would be years, literally, before I woke up to the fact that Feminist Headquarters, personified by the house organ, Ms. magazine, was not on the side of sexual freedom. When I called a woman editor and asked if Ms. would be interested in excerpting a section of My Secret Garden, I was informed, "Ms. will decide what women's sexual fantasies are" -- and that is a direct quote. When they reviewed the book several months later, the opening sentence was, "This woman is not a feminist . . ." You ask me today if feminism is on the side of sexual candor. Look, you can't regulate freedom, especially sexual freedom which is so excruciatingly personal. Each woman is so different from every other. To this day, women tell me that they have always felt they were "the only one," the only evil, bad girl to have their own personal erotic fantasy. These kinds of confessions at the turn of the century, after twenty-five years of modern feminism? Sexual candor today? How can a woman be free if she has to conform sexually to the house doctrine? One thing I'm sure of: If feminism had embraced sexual freedom we would be further along politically, economically, you name it. And we wonder why so many young women today are reluctant to call themselves feminists. 
- Sallie's response to Nancy - Betty's response to Nancy - Susie's response to Nancy |
Question 1 Susie Bright Betty Dodson Nancy Friday Daphne Merkin Sallie Tisdale Question 2 Susie Bright Betty Dodson Nancy Friday Daphne Merkin Sallie Tisdale Question 3 Susie Bright Betty Dodson Nancy Friday Daphne Merkin Sallie Tisdale Question 4 Susie Bright Betty Dodson Nancy Friday Daphne Merkin Sallie Tisdale Question 5 Susie Bright Betty Dodson Nancy Friday Daphne Merkin Sallie Tisdale Question 6 Susie Bright Betty Dodson Nancy Friday Daphne Merkin Sallie Tisdale |
|
|
