In 1972, Libre magazine—a Marxist journal published in France—invited Susan Sontag to respond to a series of questions on the aims and ideals of global feminism. This post presents her response to one of those questions.

"In the process of liberating women, do you give equal importance to economic liberation and to sexual liberation?"

"The question seems to me to reveal the underlying weakness of the very concept of 'liberation.'" she replied. "Unless made more specific, 'women’s liberation' is an empty goal—and one which blurs the focus and dilutes the energy of women’s struggle. I am not sure that the economic and the sexual are two different kinds of liberation. But suppose that they are or, at least, that they can be considered separately. Without more clarity about what women are being liberated from and for, it is meaningless to ask whether both liberations are equally important."

She went on to articulate what it would mean to truly pursue genuine liberation for women through economic, sexual, and societal equality. Highlights include:

• Economic independence is foundational for women's autonomy and adult development.
• True sexual liberation requires challenging the primacy of heterosexuality and embracing a nonrepressive, androgynous society.
• The goal should be to undermine, not protect, differences between sexes to reduce tension arising from "otherness."
• A truly liberated society would erase rigid gender roles, making sexuality more diffuse and less central to identity.

Mmm. How are we doing 53 years later?

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