Over the past few years, something has come to my attention that, in all honesty, alarms me every time I hear someone say it. I know it shouldn’t and I should just roll my eyes and get on with my explanation and set things right (I think I am also rolling my eyes but that’s beside the point). The thing is, I’ve heard people joking about feminism and mocking it.
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Since starting college I’ve heard people laughing about the absurd so-called “feminazis” and how ridiculous they are. After standing up to this and mentioning that I’m a feminist, I’ve visibly seen someone’s opinion of my lower. Or, at least, that’s what it felt like. I tried explaining to them that feminism is not women or men in any way shape or form, that that is misandry, and feminism is the equality of the sexes and all genders- not just the social advancement of women.
I’ve also talked to people who wanted to understand feminism but had been so used to the popular belief that feminism is inherently evil and only ‘for angry lesbians’ that they felt a bit confused.
I want to rectify this. Well, as much as I can in a small blog post that’s unlikely to get many views and probably a few disgusted comments.
The definition of feminism (kindly given to us by the dictionary of Google) is ‘the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes’ and genders. And according to the gods at H&M: ‘the radical notion that women are people’.
It’s really as simple as that. Feminism does not mean women over men. That’s what misandry is, just as misogyny is men over women. Feminism means equality for everyone. Yes, it’s the same thing as an equalist, a humanist and an egalitarian. However, I prefer to use the term feminist as it acknowledges the historic gender bias against women and the problems that still face many of us today, particularly in parts of the world that are not considered ‘Western’.
When I see women online saying they are against feminism, I see women who are denouncing and belittling our predecessors, who fought and suffered in order for us to get the rights and privileges we now have today.
So, to recap: call yourself whatever, just don’t be a dickhead; everyone is equal, men aren’t better than women, women aren’t better than men; be kind to everyone and always eat strawberries with Nutella.
See You Next Time!
Jemima x
4 comments
Great post! I agree that it is so frustrating and disheartening to see yourself lowered in other peoples' esteem when you tell them that you are a feminist or to meet people who refuse to call them feminist because of all of the negative stereotypes associated with the word. Why can't people understand that feminism is just about equality?!
ReplyDeleteAnd "everyone is equal, men aren’t better than women, women aren’t better than men; be kind to everyone and always eat strawberries with Nutella" is awesome advice! :)
-Minerva http://nerdwordblog.blogspot.com/
Aw thank you Minerva! You described it perfectly and I'm glad you like my advice haha!
DeleteJemima x
YES. Just all the yes.
ReplyDeleteI would have strawberries with nutella, but I'd probably die:(
Anna. X
http://afabulousfeminist.blogspot.co.uk
Oh yeah... Maybe some alternative chocolate spread?
DeleteJemima x