I'm wondering what you all think what Radical Feminism exactly is. (I've posted this somewhere else here but I'm interested in a lenghty discussion.)

To make it clearer, I've written my own position/understanding of radical feminism - in an article about "What is a "TERF"?"down here (in German). It was in parts inspired by a short post I've found somewhere but which doesn't seem to be online anymore. I'll translate it via Deepl: > Since "TERF" refers to Radical Feminism, let me briefly share my own understanding of Radical Feminism.

Most women who are labeled "TERF" would not even consider themselves radical feminists. It is enough to oppose violence against women.

Moreover, the designation is inaccurate because all women, even if they do not see themselves as women or call themselves "trans men," are included - only men are excluded. So it should really be "PERF," "Penis" or "Prostate Excluding Radical Feminist."

There is a brief history of feminism here. I quote the section on Radical Feminism:

Radical Feminism: Radical (from Latin radix - root, origin) is to be understood here in the sense of a women's movement that focuses only on the concerns of women. Core issues of radical feminism coincide with those of the Second Wave and are the reduction of femicide and sexual violence, of exploitation, prostitution and surrogacy, the abolition of female genital mutilation and the prevention of domestic violence. These are dangers to which women are exposed because of their female sex and not because of their identity - even today, even in Germany. We cannot "identify our way out of this." Since this form of feminism is only for women, but does not include men (even if they call themselves "woman"), it is massively fought against. Source: https://fffrauen.de/zum-feminismus/

Radical feminist theory analyzes the power structures that oppress the female sex. Its central tenet is that women as a biological class are globally oppressed by men as a biological class. We know that male power is constructed and maintained through institutional and cultural practices that aim to reinforce male superiority by reinforcing female inferiority. One such manifestation of patriarchy is "gender," that is, gender roles that reinforce a socially constructed hierarchy that serves to oppress women because of their female autonomy. "Gender" has no biological basis, but is a tool of oppression against women. Radical feminists also criticize all religions and their institutions, as well as other practices that promote violence against women, such as prostitution, pornography, and FGM (female genital mutilation). The subjugation of women is a social process that has no basis in biology or any other pretext and therefore can and should be challenged and dismantled.

In recent decades, there has been a reduction; after gaining equal rights, we approached equality. Apparently, this is unbearable for some men, so they are now perfidiously and supposedly fighting "from within" against the humanization of women, reducing us to stereotypes and "identities."

Radical feminists (also abbreviated as "RadFems") see that our oppression as women is intimately linked to our role as bearers of new life and male hatred of our female reproductive power. Radical feminists take an unequivocal stand for the right to female reproductive justice.

Radical feminists see an autonomous women's movement as the path to women's liberation. We believe in the need for women-only spaces where theory and action are developed from the lived reality of women who have been socialized to be women.

I am a radical feminist. Because even the "feminism" term has become so watered down that we have to specify that our feminism is about women's issues. And only about that. Because none of us is free until we all are. The only common ground we women have with each other in this is that we are women. And that this unchangeable fact shapes and influences the reality of our lives, and not for the better. This fact is not acceptable, it is to be dissolved.

I am not allowed to say publicly that I am a radical feminist, because otherwise my job and probably also my safety would be in danger. I don't belong to the feminists with the colorful pictures and labels, with tampon collages and men in breastfeeding groups, but to those who really care about something, about the liberation of all women, young, old, tall, short, light- or dark-skinned, atheist, Christian, Muslim - every woman, whether she wants it or not. But not for the liberation of men.

We network, we connect, we show solidarity. Locally, nationally, internationally.

Against what?

Against the dissolution of women. Against the dissolution of women as a class. Against the dissolution of women as a sex. Against the dissolution of woman as one of two human sexes. Because queer theory dominates, and with it postmodernism. And antifeminism. And the opponents sit down in the nests made by women. For some years now, men have been uniting to appropriate the last, the only thing that is not about them: women's rights.

A worldwide attack against women's rights is underway. It is about the absurd view that men can also be women. And in many countries, the battle has already been fought to the disadvantage of women because it has gone under the radar. In Argentina, Norway, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Sweden, Malta, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Greece, women's rights, women's spaces, are also open to men. (See here.)

I and my fellow women, we stand for freedom from discrimination, for free self-development, for protection for all. Also for women. No matter how they identify themselves. We need and want our own spaces, our own terms for our sex, our bodies, our experiences.

Being a radical feminist, by the way, is not synonymous with being against men. Radical feminism is about fighting the degradation, dehumanization, fetishization, objectification, violence, and murder of women by men. It is about opposing male violence, and for women to be treated as human beings. There are some men of integrity who stand with women in this struggle. These are called - occasionally, but rarely - "TERFs." However, waves of violence, insults and threats do not pour over them. It would be desirable if more loyal men would stand up for justice.

Standing up for one's own rights, for one's own safety, is neither hatred, nor violence, but a survival strategy. Every person in Germany has a right to a life free of violence and discrimination. Women, too.

Women are human beings. We are not a feeling, not a possession, not an object, not a commodity, not an identity, not a costume, not a collection of body parts, not birthing machines, not "man's best friend". We are full human beings. It would be nice if that were respected.

We need to stop this war on women. Every voice matters. Many women have already had that voice taken away. Everyone who has an interest in a peaceful, just and democratic society should work to ensure that such a life is also possible for women.

Women's rights are human rights.

End the war against women.

For me, that doesn't mean that you aren't "allowed" to put on make-up or stuff like that. Those are only details. Yes, you should be vary about what that means/why women do this, but putting on eyeliner or being friends with men doesn't make someone not a RadFem. I'm interested in what you all think about that.