The Sexism Of Feminism - Are You A Feminist?

Although we can agree to the basic definition of feminism in the dictionary-the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes- it is rarely ever that simple or straightforward. Despite 150 years of activism in pursuit of women's rights, and even in the modern take of feminism, the term is still considered by many as a "dirty word". It is surprising to know that despite its good intentions of recognizing women as equals in rights and opportunity, many of us - women included, are scared to be labelled as such, let alone be associated with such ideology. Why is this so?

When we talk about feminism, a lot of people get squirmish about the topic. Sad to say that it is more associated to just women who are overly sensitive of their role in the community and where they stand in the hierarchy of society and just want more attention than they deserve. That is why it gets a negative reputation to it. It is so corrupted in its interpretation to being equated to an 'anti-men' agenda. It is understood as a concept where women wish to hate men, wish to be more superior than men, wish to be above men, eat men for breakfast and can only attain equality at the expense of men's equality. That if you're a feminist, you're a woman. And you're a woman scorned.

Feminism isn't that. Feminism is about gender parity. Truth is, you can be a man-a male specie, and still be a feminist. Feminism is about you, your mother, your sister, your friend, your teacher, your brother, your girlfriend, your cousin, your boss or your co-worker. Feminism is about humankind. It's about equal rights and equal opportunities for both sexes. Feminism is learning to respect both sexes equally. It's about encouraging men to look at women with equal treatment and respect when it comes to holding jobs and positions of leadership in the community.

I do consider myself a feminist. But what it means to me is being able to have the independence of being the woman I want to be. By being able to do what I want, dress the way I want and represent myself in all these fonts but still feel empowered and not looked at as a sexual object. It's about being able to speak up for my rights for equal pay for equal work just as men do. It's about encouraging women to be both professionals and mothers without being prejudiced by society and not having fear being asked to sexually compromise for that job or promotion. It's about getting women to sit in the table and not just in the room.It's about telling women that they can be feminine and feminist at the same time.

Feminism is about educating people that women are more than just bodies and that a size zero does not define their person just as a six pack does not define men. It's about allowing women to express their emotions without being labelled a s emotional, vulnerable and attention-seeking just as it is about encouraging men to express theirs without being labelled feminine. It is about fighting gender stereotypes for women just as it is about fighting for releasing men from being imprisoned or confined to their gender stereotypes. It's about educating women that they are not simply cooks, household helps or laundry-women in their own home. Its about fighting for men to participate in housework.

Feminism is about fighting prejudice and providing the same privilege men have to women just as it is about providing the same privilege women receive to men. It is about fighting for mental health for women just as it is a bout fighting mental health for men. It is about ending domestic abuse and about teaching and educating men that women are humans that should equally be respected and not slapped and beaten and looked down upon or raped in a relationship.

Feminism wants to make the world a better place for everyone. Feminism is about the idea behind the movement and not just the word itself. Are you a feminist?

XOXO,

Karen