Humanism the new Feminsim?

[riotgrrl]

In a past interview with Bust Magazine, Susan Saradon, when asked if she was a feminist, responded that no - she was a humanist.

The definition of humanism from wikipedia.org is as follows:
Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on our ability to determine what is right using the qualities innate to humanity, particularly rationality.

As feminism becomes more transnational and as feminism also reaches out to issues that transcend what is typically though of as "women's issues" (such as Capitalism and Globalization), do you think that humanism is a more appropriate term? Now that feminists are now working for the good of all humanity, and not just women, should we choose a term that includes everyone?

[mylittlex]

Maybe it is a better term. ??
I personally like the term feminist but the f-word scares so many people. Maybe if feminism used an all inclusive label more people would be willing to join up.
We know that feminism is not only about women but about giving equality to all disenfranchised people.
BUT if feminism moved away from a gender focus would we lose site of the reasons we started being feminist to begin with? Would women be lost in the shuffle only to struggle to be heard in our own organizations and communities once again?
We will probably never know...but it's food for thought.

[regalia]

yep, and how's about the women who don't identify with 'feminist' cuz of the 2nd waver - dominant, liberal and radical whitie women's exclusion of them...so they consider themselves 'womanists' instead...this is a race & class difference.

this is a good question...UN women (who operate in countries across the globe) are calling for 'women's rights as human rights' language...so maybe 'humanist' taps into that language, and bridges cultural, racial and national boundaries.

still, i agree, though - humanist doesn't focus on gender enough for me.

[caramel6582]

I personally like the word feminist. I enjoy that fact that it makes people uncomfortable. I feel that it describe to many the many ideals and discomforts that women are trying to change. I think that keeping a word that causes cringes makes you remember it.