I feel like Sarah Jessica Parker is one of those people that really does mean well, but when she speaks, she doesn’t really think about what she’s saying and it comes out as one big clusterfuck. She’s a smart(-ish) woman, and seemingly a kind one, and yet sometimes she comes off as so incredibly clueless that I don’t even know where to begin. Her latest commentary on why she’s not a feminist in the new issue of Cosmopolitan hits a particularly clueless note, but let’s let her have her say, shall we?
“I see a lot of people trying to sort out their roles,” Parker explained. “People of color, gays, lesbians, and transgenders who are carving out this space. I’m not spitting in the face or being lazy about what still needs to be done—but I don’t think it’s just women anymore. We would be so enormously powerful if it were a humanist movement.”
“The thing that would change people’s lives maybe more than anything, assuming that we maintain access to health care, is child care. If I could guarantee every mother who is working two, three jobs that she had good child care that didn’t make her anxious all day—people would probably work in more efficient ways,” Parker said.
The Sex and the City icon added, ” How many times do you hear a wealthy person get asked, ‘How do you do it all?’ If I’m asked that question one more time … I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me? Ask someone who looks like she’s about to drop, How are you doing? How are you managing?'”
Well, wouldn’t it all be so precious if the world was a planet full of beautiful rainbows where things like racism, sexism, and homophobia didn’t exist, a “humanist movement” would be great. But until all humans are regarded equally and start on the same playing field, she needs to get a damn grip.
Also, why is it that so many people are so terrified of a damn term. You can be a feminist AND other things. It’s not exclusive and it doesn’t need to be your whole identity. You can be a feminist and an ally to the LBGT community and to people of colour all in one! It’s really possible!
Ugh, people.
Oh god, I will defend SJP – what happened?!
Why do you want to force people to use a label that’s so damn limited? You do realize that humanist includes the believe, that women should have equal rights? But unless feminist, the label humanist does not have a (well earned, thanks to the 3rd wave feminism morons) bad reputation. And it includes so much more. Why should I use a dozen labels when one will do? It’s not SJP who’s dumb here, it’s you for stubbornly ignoring her message and clinging to a label that the liberal media wants to force on everyone.
Oh god I could not agree more with you.
Same here!
I think YOU have misunderstood what SJP was trying to say: that it isn’t just women who need empowering, but all afflicted cultures and minorities. And so, to that extent, a “humanist” movement would be appropriate. Myself, I feel it would be more powerful as what is less empowering than sorting everybody into categories? We are at the end of the day all human.