Rebuttal to Rebecca Walker's Anti-Feminism

Rebecca Walker

A couple weeks ago, a friend sent me an article called How My Mother's Fanatical Views Tore Us Apart written by Alice Walker's (AW) daughter, Rebecca Walker (RW).  Within the first couple Lines, RW declares that she almost missed out on motherhood due to her mother, AW, being a "rabid feminist."  She states that "feminism has much to answer for denigrating and encouraging women to seek independence whatever the cost to their families."  She describes her mothers idiosyncratic rules about with what toys she was allowed to play and in what games she was allowed to partake.  She details the moments of her life when her mother left her to go around the world, including arranging birth control and her abortion.  She talks about how she "yearned for a traditional mother."  This is just my summary- I definitely encourage you to read it for yourself.

I am messy and a feminist, but it is not feminism which caused my mess.

Whoa.  RW seems to be extremely confused about the difference between being a feminist and being a derelict mother.  After reading this article three different times and in three different attitudes, I simply cannot connect the two from this article.  Feminism does not reject motherhood.  Some brands might now revere the stay-at-home-mom types, but most of the feminists I with which I come in contact think the role of Mom is an exceptional one.  The only restraint feminism puts on children is that one should have them on one's own time- not as dictated by a patriarchal government.  A blessing and an honor-  just maybe not in the bake cookies, sew clothing, change diapers all day route.  They believe in equal parenting.  After reading about RW's trials as a young woman, I think most will agree that her mother was not the ideal, but that is not a symptom of her feminism.

My feminism does not take
away from my love of being
a mom.  

I can speak on my personal journey with feminism, which, in my opinion, has led me to be a much better mom.  My feminism has taught me that Hubby and I can be equal in parenting-  my feminism has led me to Attachment Parenting, which is incredibly hands on.
As far as feminism encouraging women to gain independence regardless of the cost, I refer to a post I wrote a while back Dear Alice Paul, in which I describe the limits of not my feminism but my activism.  Each stage of life offers different measures.
Many anti-feminists wage war against the cause with accusations as such.  It doesn't make sense.  Feminism is not a person.  It is not a thing.  Feminism is not a bad or neglectful mother.   It is a movement, political and social in nature.  It takes shape by the many people who join in.