Apologies for this post lacking the theoretical framework I often try to include. This is an issue I've been thinking a lot of lately, and wanted to generate some open and honest discussion about the nature of feminist work and its problematic areas.
What is the proper monetary compensation for feminist work? Are feminist activists getting properly compensated for the work they put forth to create a better world? Further, what are the ethical and power implications of making money and getting rich off feminism? More explicitly, what are the connections between how much feminists are paid for their work, and what does it say about how feminism is viewed?
Time and time again, I've heard many young feminists, having graduated from college, express the desire to devote their lives to feminist work, but are also hit with the realization that within such work, little money is made, and that often times, the salaries paid within feminist communities simply do not compare to those with other careers. I've experienced it myself, previously having worked for a non-profit that paid me $1,900 a month to work six days a week, 12 hours a day, and having to drive about an hour each way to work.
This is, for me, a result of feminist work not being lucrative - that is, unless workers are actively making money, rather than changing lives, they are not seen as being valuable. Further, because the majority of feminist organizations are non-profit, money is scarce, and as a result, are unable to pay their workers the proper compensation for their work - while this is something that cannot change, it is a symptom of the way we, even as feminists, view non-profits - that somehow, within the non-profit community, sheer values and convictions are enough. Until we change this mindset, and start to actively donate to these organizations, not just so they can help others, but so that they can pay themselves, we cannot expect change. The world runs on money and not nobility - so no matter how noble we think feminist work is, and no matter how many cards and thank-you letters we send, we'll continue to see young and bright feminists leaving feminist work for other types of work if this continues.
On the other hand, we have an ethical question of how much is too much when making money off feminism. If feminism is about truly about enhancing women's lives, is it appropriate to get rich beyond comfortable within the feminist community?
Whether it's Gloria Steinem receiving a $10,000 paycheck for a speech, or sexual assault prevention organizations charging hundreds of dollars a person for training conferences, or the National Organization for Women or Planned Parenthood president making six-figures a year, ethical questions have to be taken into account. To what extent is it a mere compensation for very important work, and to which does it appear to be exploiting the presence of sexism for monetary gain? What does this say about the hierarchy within feminism? What does it say about power, and further, why do we put more value over theory as opposed to actual work?
The point is certain areas of feminism (except the actual work) are still unexplored gold mines, and as we continue to move forth in doing feminism, there will no doubt be a time when questions of conduct and ethics arise.
I don't have answers to these questions, except that the criticism of feminists getting rich off feminism being an ethical is unfounded - and is a reflection of the biases we each hold about feminist work not being "real" work.
So, what are your experiences with compensation and feminist work? What are the things we're doing right and wrong? What do we need to change, and most importantly, what can we do to ensure young feminist activists do not burn out over the lack of proper compensation? Lastly, feminists getting rich off feminism: is it fair, or simply just an example of the privileged and those with power being valued more than those without?
Marc
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Getting rich off feminism ....
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.feministing.com/cgi-bin/movabletype/mt-tb.fcgi/15209
"The world runs on money and not nobility - so no matter how noble we think feminist work is, and no matter how many cards and thank-you letters we send, we'll continue to see young and bright feminists leaving feminist work for other types of work if this continues."
In my opinion, this mindset is pernicious to the progress not just of feminism, but to pretty much all progressive social movements. INCITE!'s the Revolution Will Not Be Funded should be required reading for feminists. The authors luculently explain the process by which many well-intentioned, well-funded NGOs lead to the co-optation of movements and often become alienated from constituents, making them highly undemocratic. I agree with many of the books' authors.
I think this post, especially the part that bifurcates "feminist work" and "other work" represents a really careerist way of looking at social change. There's a huge difference between feminist work and feminist careers, and those who are involved to a variety of occupations, both inside and outside of the home, have a lot to contribute to feminism. Most movements have been built primarily by an unpaid grassroots, for better or for worse.
I think that while NGOs can play a positive and important role, most NGOs are also dominated by privileged people out of touch not only with constituents, but often with reality. Case in point-- the Feminist Majority's support of Obama's expansion of the imperialist war in Afghanistan.
Those employed by non-profits often work long hours for peanuts-- I'm not saying I like that or that it's right, but there are many more ways to contribute to feminism than taking a paid position at a non-profit.
I think this post, especially the part that bifurcates "feminist work" and "other work" represents a really careerist way of looking at social change. There's a huge difference between feminist work and feminist careers, and those who are involved to a variety of occupations, both inside and outside of the home, have a lot to contribute to feminism.
Yup!
And in the original post, you could replace "feminist" with pretty much any other social justice or radical movement.
The thing about capitalism is that it does a lot of oppressive things, and it rewards and perpetuates oppression... so finding a career which will allow you to support your family in a capitalist economy while not having to do oppressive things is quite challenging! That's why lots of us compromise and try to find careers which interest us and do the least harm or work as much as possible toward our ideals, and participate in movements like feminism without compensation.
"...I think this post, especially the part that bifurcates 'feminist work' and 'other work' represents a really careerist way of looking at social change. There's a huge difference between feminist work and feminist careers, and those who are involved to a variety of occupations, both inside and outside of the home, have a lot to contribute to feminism. Most movements have been built primarily by an unpaid grassroots, for better or for worse...
"...Those employed by non-profits often work long hours for peanuts-- I'm not saying I like that or that it's right, but there are many more ways to contribute to feminism than taking a paid position at a non-profit."
Right on!
I've not had the chance to digest your entire post yet, so I'll be back for some insight into your content, but I just wanted to say that I like the way you wrote this post more than your other posts. You sound like a person more here as opposed to an armchair intellectual. It's refreshing.
Sorry if that sounds patronizing, but you had apologized for your lack of usual tone and I really don't think you need to. :-)
"...What is the proper monetary compensation for feminist work? Are feminist activists getting properly compensated for the work they put forth to create a better world? Further, what are the ethical and power implications of making money and getting rich off feminism? More explicitly, what are the connections between how much feminists are paid for their work, and what does it say about how feminism is viewed?..."
Wait a minute, wouldn't it help to be clearer about what counts as "feminist work" in the first place? What about workers in the for-profit sector who, in the course of doing their work, do feminist stuff like cracking down on sexism in their policies and their workplace environments? What about workers in the public sector who, in the course of doing their work, do feminist stuff like repealing sexist laws and treating people of all genders as first-class citizens? Working outside the non-profit sector doesn't always have to be supporting the status quo.
"...The world runs on money and not nobility - so no matter how noble we think feminist work is..."
Hey! The world runs on fuel and not inedible nobility. Some people fuel themselves and their dependents more directly than by earning money to trade for fuel. Don't forget people who barter for a living, people who literally eat the fruits of their labors, etc.
But cant any career be feminist? For example, cant you be a feminist advertiser who goes through the ranks and then alters the status quo a bit? You cant win every battle, but you could do enough to work up till youre calling the shots.
Ok, so now that I've read your post a couple times, I've got some thoughts.
I think what you're tapping into is sometimes called the Non-Profit Industrial Complex. Many people feel that the only way to impact a society is to join into the Non-Profit realm. That's where the real change and activism happen.
It can prove to be true, but it's mostly unfounded. Any social justice work does not depend on an nfp driving it into relevance. Often, an issue comes up and then the nfps are created afterward as an organizing tool -- but it's not essential.
Non-Profits don't pay well. I currently work for one and so can speak from experience. It can be difficult for them to be able to pay well. There are always exceptions, as you've noted above, however the other side of the nfp pay equation is doing work which you're devoted to that the money doesn't matter.
I think something also to bear in mind is that feminism is as much an act as a lifestyle. A CEO can be feminist as much as someone working at NARAL on a lower level. If you live your life by feminist beliefs, then whatever you do, you're doing feminist work.
I think what you're tapping into is sometimes called the Non-Profit Industrial Complex.
This was the first thing I was going to say and Gular said it better than I would have. Specifically regarding the non-profit industrial complex, which is the type of "feminist work" I think you're referring to, I have had your same concerns. Feminism is a belief, a lifestyle, and an active political and social movement. Many people (including me up until recently) think that working for a non-profit is the only way to participate in "the feminist movement." But there are many ways to participate. You don't have to have an explicitly feminist career to be part of the movement. Blogging is a feminist act, for example. :)
I can understand the desire though. I would love to have a stable, reasonably-paid position at a feminist non-profit. But there are so few positions like that, and everyone wants them, and classism is prevalent within the feminist movement, just like everywhere else. I don't mean to discourage anyone who works for a non-profit or aspires to. I think many feminist non-profits are doing amazing work and I admire all the men and women who work for those organizations.
I think everyone involved in progressive, social justice, and/or feminist work should be paid a fair, competitive wage and receive all the benefits similar positions at for-profit organizations offer. Does that happen often? Not really. Even if that did happen, would non-profits pay exactly the same as for-profits? Probably not, but at least there would be a standard, comfortable guarantee. I have no helpful suggestions on how to make this come about either. I wish someone did!
Regarding the bloated salaries of a few select feminists - I think it's a problem, but not because they're feminists and shouldn't be "getting rich" off the movement. It's a problem for the same reason paying corporate CEOs bloated salaries and outrageous end-of-year bonuses is a problem. I also believe it's no coincidence that the select feminists in question are all white and cisgender, like it's no coincidence that the vast majority of corporate CEOs are white and cisgender.