Do you get scared when you hear the word, Feminist? What do you picture? Do you picture a bunch of butch dike biker chicks with chainsaws ready to chop off the next dick that pisses them off?
That’s a tad harsh, don’t you think?
Do you know that every word in the English language that has been used to solely denote women as been demonized. Harlot, Whore etc. used to just mean woman.
Feminist is the new demonized word.
Actually there is no such thing as feminism. There are feminisms. Every woman has a different view of what the word and notion means to her.
I’ll tell you what it means to me. It means that women should get equal pay for equal work. It means that men who abuse women should go to jail for a very long time. It means to me that rapists should be castrated.
Yeah, you heard me correct. They should be castrated. Alright, I’m not sure if I believe that but I’m not sure that I don’t.
A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle—Gloria Steinem
What does feminism mean to you? Did you know you can be a man and be a feminist? It doesn’t make you gay, I promise.
Being a feminist means you care about the cause for women. It means that you care about the cause for equality. This is not about superiority or anything like that.
Feminism is about those little things you don’t always think about. It’s about making life better for battered women, stopping the sex trade and human trafficking of women, and understanding PMS.
No seriously, PMS is a serious disorder that can make any woman turn into a monster. It’s not her fault. It’s your fault…just kidding.
Feminism is the radical notion that women are people too—Bumper Sticker.
So if you are stay-at-home mom or any kind of dad for that matter, you should consider becoming a feminist. It has nothing to do with gender or race or economic status.
Feminisms are about the way in which you perceive the world to be a male dominated society and the ways in which you would like to change that.
You know that there are countries where little girl babies are murdered because they are not boys. You know that women are sold into prostitution in many countries.
You know that men are not the enemies. A society that does not value women is the enemy.
So why should you teach your young girls and boys to become feminists? Because it will open their eyes. Women are still being paid less for the same work. Women are still being promoted less, hired less, and finally respected less.
Now I ask you, are you afraid of the word FEMINIST?
And always remember that there are interlocking oppressions. Being poor and a minority and a woman adds up to a difficult plight. Feminism is about breaking all forms of oppression, not just against women.
So if you thought that feminism meant that you have to hate men or turn into a lesbian, think again. Feminism simply means you are aware that there is inequality.
Don’t let them censor this F-word.
nina
this is great nina. it reminds me of oprah's quote ... paraphrasing, that the best deterrant to racism is excellence. i think it is the same with femanism. the us's laws allow for much of this to be regulated by people's good choices. we are somewhere in the middle in that regard.
ReplyDeletei just think it stinks that if you do a great job, you are still at someone's mercy ... mercy of their attitudes. it is scary..... there are a lot of ways to do things are make it look like it is not about ... the boobs.
i know men who have rules about being alone with women other than their wife.
i was told by the dean at a school i attended that he had people tell him that they did not think it was right a women should be taking up a slot in the program because they were going to be supporting a family......
i do believe that education and excellence in the work place.... doing the best job you can do (owning and fixing your mistakes quickly and undefensively).
not sure where i read it, but there is a theory that one of the reasons depression is high is the US for teen women is that it is the first time they experience life socially as women. as they stop looking like a child, the way in which they interact with the world.
for the first time they experiece the vibes, the hate energy that many men radiad towards women....
Bravo! Excellent piece. The male-dominated society has a lot invested in keeping women second-class citizens. Powerful women must be demeaned because such a society is terrified of that power. Who do you think made up the term "the weaker sex?" I guarantee you it wasn't a woman. As one who came of age in the 60's and 70s this strikes a real chord with me, albeit probably a much angrier one than it strikes with you. Great food for thought here.
ReplyDeleteas I went about my first set of errands, i was thinking .... sometimes, often unfortunately, other women can also be the barrier. sad, but true. i have had the situation where being a professional, women in the office who are the receptionists or the secretaries seem upset that i am not doing my share of tidying up the conference room after a meeting. but they would never expect one of the men in my same position to do such.
ReplyDeleteit is a man's world, but in many offices, the secretaries can make or break, especially an established secretary who has face time with the bosses and can put a positive or negative spin on things.
i agree with jayne, excellent piece.
Nice Post. Your Friend, the Feminist, whose dad introduced her to Gloria and whose desire it is to raise a feminist son and daughter.
ReplyDelete