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Is Lady Arm Wrestling Feminist? Yes, But …

Photo by Arthur Fellig via flickr.com.

After receiving a series of thoughtful and inspiring comments regarding her blog post about women’s arm wrestling, Salty Eggs staff writer Tara Nieuwesteeg felt compelled to answer her readers’ questions and keep the dialogue going. This is an open letter to them.

Dear Lady Arm Wrestlers:

Don’t get me wrong, I’m on your side. It makes me really happy to see women doing this and I wish there was a group anywhere near me doing it. (And, as someone pointed out in the comment section of my last blog on this topic, Salty Eggs would make an awesome arm-wrestling persona. I picture her as a foul-mouthed ovulating pirate.)

However, with so many political issues affecting women right now, I’d love to see a group of strong, likeminded women getting together to call attention to or effect change on some larger issues. Look at the defunding of Planned Parenthood. Or the number of states that don’t have equal pay for equal work laws. Or the disproportionately small number of women in elected offices. I don’t see any of those issues addressed in any of the stories I read about women’s arm wrestling. In fact, most of the articles written about the sport/hobby have tended to focus on the novelty of its flamboyant costumes and theatrical shenanigans. Shallow reporting, of course, is not your fault. But while you all are arm wrestling, there are groups out there efficiently passing legislation that specifically discriminates against women. Why not use your momentum in combatting that also?

Maybe this is feminism in that it encourages women to escape society’s expectations of a 1950s housewife, but that seems like an old battle. Raising money for charity is great and essential, but I’m not sure that’s specifically feminism in and of itself (even if the charities happen to benefit women). And a company or foundation being woman-run and woman-centric doesn’t necessarily make it feminism either. It really is great, and probably a direct outcome of past feminism, but I’d like to think that a woman simply running something herself shouldn’t be the goal of feminism nowadays. We’re past that, no?

The “empowerment of women” is a wonderful concept, too, but what does that actually mean?

Truth be told, I personally don’t care as much about the definition of feminism as I do about its outcomes (see the issues above). Calling something “feminism” just because it consists of women doing something fun and bad-ass isn’t enough anymore.

Maybe I’m wrong. I certainly agree that feminism has a shifting, flexible definition, and obviously we’re all on the same side. I want to hear more about this and write more about it, too. I’d love to talk to some of the people involved, so keep commenting and let’s continue this discussion.

You can also email Tara at [email protected] 

Photo taken at the Home Alive Tin Hat arm-wrestling tournament in Seattle. Courtesy of Arthur Fellig via flickr.com.

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3 Responses to “Is Lady Arm Wrestling Feminist? Yes, But …”

  1. Kay Leigh Ferguson
    May 4, 2012 at 11:37 am #

    As one who worked and marched for women’s rights in 1972 and again last Saturday (sometimes deja vu is just irritating) and as one who has witnessed CLAW from inception, I am reminded that “feminism” was never only political and legislative. It was always gaining its new ideas and new minds from a dialogue that was cultural, artistic, and ritually defiant. I still object to the idea that these two sources of action, energy and hopeful equality have to be separated, ranked, or always be two things at once. Watching CLAW as its eldest long term member, I witness a very fine deja vu as I watch women of wide ranging belief, class and experience gather, make something, and find what is essential and is shared. In Virginia this past year, legislative absurdities were immediately translated into the language of theatrical protest at CLAW and delivered to a large and established audience and network. Ask any political activist how valuable that is. Feet on the ground. Laugh in the gut. Both will get er done. –the Crone

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  2. KDHL
    May 16, 2012 at 1:11 pm #

    “I’d love to see a group of strong, likeminded women getting together to call attention to or effect change on some larger issues.”
    -The societal view of women as secondary citizens and the oppression of our freedom of expression are not a large enough issues for you? Supporting local, women focused projects with money that has little to no strings attached will actually enhance the strength of our resources to address the issues that plague our communities. We can’t just beg the government to protect our rights anymore with legislation or elected officials, clearly they’re bad at it. If in the process of raising funds we can try to cross race/class/age lines among women to create a space for empowerment and fun, then I think it’s something to be supported.
    If you doubt that ladies arm wrestling goes deeper than flamboyant costumes and theatrical shenanigan you should attend a brawl or actively reach out to any of the leagues around the country rather than just waiting for commenters to come to you. My email is [email protected] and we’ll be part of a benefit for Planned Parenthood on May 26th here in New Orleans. Feel free to get in touch.

    Reply

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