Conference Reactions - Not always uplifting, but clarifying always!

A Mormon Feminist Facebook Group posted this photo 

My Mormon Feminist response: "Feminism is about the right to choose, at it's core it's primarily about agency, this group is no more pertinent to the word feminism than it is worthy of the term Mormon. With so many of the true feminist issues on the table including abuse, pornography and equality in relationships all of which were discussed during conference this weekend. Man bashing is not feminism, but this group is more than just Misandry, it mocks women for their choices, the very thing that feminism upholds as sacrosanct. Misanthropy is unattractive at best and an indication of personal weakness so often borne of unhealed wounds which fester and breed contempt and pride. What ever personal views can be expressed, what ever opinions can be held, mocking even in jest, indicates as Shakespeare suggests 'Jesters do oft prove prophets' and in this case false prophets. I'm exercising my agency to listen to the better angels of our society and hearken to the voices of those who truly champion the rights, responsibilities and privileges of women - like Elder Clayton did yesterday along with numerous other speakers. In short, read a little Dworkin, some McKinnon, some Griffin and Wolstonecraft, Plath and Woolf, then call yourself a Feminist. Read Jesus the Christ, The Proclamation to the World on the Family, The Living Christ and the Miracle of Forgiveness, then call yourself a Mormon. Ignorance never was happiness, informed choice requires knowledge, obtained with both heart and mind, mine is open to real discussion about women's issues, not the cowardice of anonymous mockery of the choices of others. Feminism is a word we need in a world that degrades, devalues and demeans women, that should unite, protect and uplift those whose voices, bodies and minds which have not been nurtured, heard and respected. Feminist voices should be better than snide jokes, we should be the first to stand for the agency to choose and live up to the incredible privilege it is to be a woman in this time in the Earth's history, even when that choice is to vacuum carpet - as feminists, as women, we should be the first to acknowledge the right to choose that action should it be so desired of the participant. For all that people have tried to abuse it and disown it, ‘feminism’ is still the word we need. No other word will do. So please don't speak for me as a feminist, your views are inconsistent with the core values of feminism and they are inconsistent with the doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are entirely at liberty to hold these views, to express them and have the courtesy of civility extended to you when you exercise your agency to do so - but please, for the good of sociological research, the peace of mind of feminists everywhere, and a homage to truth please don't label them mormon, please don't call yourself a feminist, these are words of specific meaning, of honour and importance, words that matter because people matter - their agency, matters, that is Feminism, that I think you'll find, is the Plan of Salvation."

And that's the ball game people!