(Ramble) Thoughts on Anti-Intellectualism and "Bimbo" Feminism

Recently I have become deeply concerned with the concept of anti-intellectualism, especially regarding young people, women and girls. With the rise of the Bimbo Feminist archetype on Tik-Tok and faux-feminist rock (almost a caricature of the Riot Grrrls), it isn't hard to see a rapid turnaround in how we approach intersectionality. 

 I understand the collective frustration, especially as someone AFAB, of young people living in the shadow of late-stage capitalism, but that is if not more reason to be aware and alert. From what I have seen, it seems the collective idea that is shared among these people is that we must just endure- there is nothing left to do. And they may speak, but it lacks substance and intent. See the current Free Palestine movement, in which I feel particularly strongly about; I will scroll through Twitter (or X, if you care), just to see multiple posts in a row chanting the same thing- "Free Palestine". These words, with no other context, saying nothing else, holds no force. Under these are links, pictures, and websites. Go and educate yourself, they say. I wonder then, sometimes, if the people themselves actually take the time to read or think about what they are so insistent on promoting. Do not get me wrong, I am fiercely anti-Zionist and stand by the Palestinians amidst this atrocity, but it appears that nobody truly wants to take the time to understand the intricacies and this is especially evident when it comes to politics.  

 That then is why I believe this new wave of Bimbo Feminism is so harmful. You do not see these so-called feminists- in their glitter and pink glory, demanding we applaud sex work and advocating their right to be dumb, stupid, and pretty- speaking on the outrageous ways that Palestinian women have been subjected to humiliation and abuse at the hands of IDF soldiers. Why is that? Well, they pride themselves on their lack of knowledge. Yet, they call themselves feminists. It is their choice, you may say, but that is the very belief that has hindered our progress. I'm just a girl, I hear echoed everywhere, usually in reference to not knowing something or doing something wrong. Girl dinner is a phrase and now a phenomenon that has been twisted, to allow women and girls to justify a lack of consideration for their health. Girl math, they also say, justifies so-called delusion, rage, or lack of rational and critical thinking. It is no surprise that the majority of these women seem to be white and middle-class. This is where choice feminism fails; when you fail to realise that not only is it ignorant thinking to not consider that many women around the world do not have the luxury of choice (to become a pretty, pink bimbo), but it is all concerned with the individual. Instead of contemplating the context in which true intersectionality can be applied in feminism, they are concerned with the self; I want to do this, and I can because it is my choice, regardless of the implications of my actions. This sentiment is often used to justify the lack of consideration for intellectualism. I digress, but this has all proven to be extremely harmful. There is no force behind resistance and therefore fuel for revolution if the collective are concerned only with their individual choices.