Feminist theory[edit]

Steinem at the LBJ Library in 2019

Steinem has frequently voiced her disapproval of the obscurantism and abstractions some claim to
be prevalent in feminist academic theorizing.[112][122] She said, "Nobody cares about feminist academic
writing. That's careerism. These poor women in academia have to talk this silly language that
nobody can understand in order to be accepted  ... But I recognize the fact that we have this
ridiculous system of tenure, that the whole thrust of academia is one that values education, in my
opinion, in inverse ratio to its usefulness—and what you write in inverse relationship to its
understandability."[112] Steinem later singled out deconstructionists like Judith Butler for criticism,
saying, "I always wanted to put a sign up on the road to Yale saying, 'Beware: Deconstruction
Ahead'. Academics are forced to write in language no one can understand so that they get tenure.
They have to say 'discourse', not 'talk'. Knowledge that is not accessible is not helpful. It becomes
aerialised—and I think it's important that women's experiences be given a narrative." [122]