Am I not a feminist?

I am afraid that Anna Piontek’s article (Feminists For ... What?, May 31) has only contributed to the confusion regarding feminism. Feminism is not simply, and vaguely, about equality. With the diversity of the human condition, a fruitful equality is one that affirms and protects the life and dignity of all human persons, regardless of gender, race, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, etc. Feminist bell hooks (sic) has defined feminism in her book “Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center” as: “a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” The methods for achieving these goals are diverse, with many branches representing the diversity of individuals and communities. Rather than seeing this diversity as a threat to the longevity of feminism, we ought to see it as evidence that it can be embraced, in some way or another, by all.\nOutside of the issue of abortion, pro-life feminists share much in common with our pro-choice counterparts. However, we sincerely and seriously believe that abortion is a patriarchal weapon against women, minorities, classes or any other human beings that are devalued. Even if pro-life and pro-choice feminists disagree in this issue of abortion, we should not let it divide us in a way that fosters an “us versus them” mentality, which will subvert any goals that we do share in common.\nI, as well as other pro-life feminists, work educationally and politically for equal pay for equal work, representation of women in the workplace, rights of women, sexual/violent crime awareness and prevention, cultural affirmation of both working and domestic women and providing resources to women and mothers in economic need. One of the proto-feminists that I greatly admire is Sojourner Truth. She was not always well-received by white suffragettes as a speaker for women’s rights. This mixed reception was partly because of racism and of the fear that her abolitionist stance would distract their audience from women’s suffrage. Her strength of character is inspiring. In her honor, I evoke: Ain’t I a feminist?