Debbie Rasmussen finds it difficult to call herself a feminist.
"I feel like the meaning of feminism has been lost," said Rasmussen, the publisher of Bitch magazine, in an interview before her speech Friday in Ustler Hall Atrium.
More than 70 people gathered for her lecture-turned-discussion group that debated the corruption of the term "feminism," its context and its politics.
The event was cosponsored by UF's Center for Women's Study and Gender Research and The Friends of Wild Iris Books, a feminist bookstore.
Rasmussen is on what she describes as a "listening tour, not a lecturing tour," where she hopes to investigate public opinion on what she considers the core values of feminism.
She said that reproductive justice, violence against women, healthcare, immigration and food politics are all important issues.
The discussion explored the feminism in the current political climate as well.
As Rasmussen steered the conversation toward the pending election, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin became a divisive figure.
"She is a sight of real complication," Rasmussen said of Palin. "The goal of feminism is not to put women in a position of power. I think her prominence has confused the feminist cause and set us back."
While some members of the group heralded Palin as a strong, womanly presence and an example of commitment to family, others focused on her abortion policy as a contradiction to the feminist movement.
"Being a woman doesn't make someone a feminist," Rasmussen said.
She said her activism did not begin with feminism.
"It all started with animal rights activism in high school," she said with a laugh. "It took me awhile to pick up the cause of humans, though."
Rasmussen said feminism is a cause that will be long fought, and that it is hard to imagine where it will be in five to 10 years.
"I prefer to work outside of the system," she said. "I always have. I enjoy breaking down the system."
