Feminism….Eew.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a Feminist — always fighting for my rights and the rights of all women and minorities. Trust me, I don’t do nearly as much as I should. But I suppose I can use the best tool at my disposal, which is writing.
So here we go, a blog dedicated to Feminism, self-love and love of the world around us (whilst thinking critically).
I’m excited to start this thing. I want to talk about current events, film, anxiety/depression, and to ultimately have fun.
So let’s start off by asking…why be a Feminist? There are several reasons NOT to be a Feminist. Let’s debunk these, shall we?
- Feminists are angry, extremist man-haters.
Wrong. Feminists are full of love, and want to fight for more love in a rather difficult world. Women could not vote until 1920. It wasn’t until the 1960's that women could even get their own credit card, serve on a jury, or get an Ivy League education. Given this history, women have been held back from reaching their full intellectual potential, from contributing to a more informed society. Feminists are the ones who fought for women to have equal rights because they love women and know what they are capable of. And the fight bleeds into fighting for all minorities to live to their full potential. The thing is, the fight against opression is not a battle that just ends. When the government, and general rules and regulations in society tell you that you are not worthy of participating in the world, it takes a fucking lifetime to make sure that never happens again, and to continue fighting whatever battles you need to fight. This doesn’t mean you’re angry. This doesn’t mean you hate men. It just means (given that you’re a woman) that you love yourself and know that you are capable of doing wonderful things. So MEN, please don’t take it personal. Unless you’re a true ally as a male Feminist (which is bogus for most men who claim this), women’s rights have NOTHING to do with you. So shut the fuck up. We’re working here.
2. Women Want Equal Rights, But Get Mad When Other’s Don’t Take Care of Them
No. Any true Feminist is more than happy to pay for herself. To treat herself to a day at the spa. She is independent. See Samantha in Sex and the City, for example, who was angry when her boyfriend bought a diamond ring she wanted to buy for herself.
Now, the reality in life is that shit fucking happens unexpectedly. We could lose our jobs or family members at any minute, or end up in a terrible car accident; any human being, female or male, needs love, support, and assistance when life punches them in the face. Feminists are not being hypocritical by admitting to need people when they need people. I’m not impressed by this being a joke about Feminism, because I just find it absurd and unfunny. Believe me, I love jokes and making fun of myself, but the jokes should be valid and true, that’s what makes them funny!
3. Feminists Must Look Bland to Avoid the Male Gaze and Cannot Shave Their Body Hair
Let’s get over this superficial bullshit. I have never once met a woman who even thinks about how men are going to be looking at her when she gets ready in the morning. If a woman wants to look nice, it’s for herself, to give her more confidence and self-esteem. Feminists have every right to be comfortable in their own skin (even non-Feminists), whether that means wearing a giant T-shirt to the beach or a thong bikini. And let’s say that the thong bikini DID attract the male gaze and said woman got what she wanted. What the fuck is the problem? That the woman had the control? Get out of here — what a woman chooses to put on and take of of her skin is nobody’s business but her own. And some women don’t shave. What a fucking tragedy. Who are they hurting? What’s the problem? Not all Feminists are unshaven. I shave. It feels good to me. That and I can’t grow armpit hair like a normal human being.
I am a Feminist because I have Turner Syndrome — which means I have had to be on hormone therapy (Premarin, progesterone), I have to continue to take Tri-Sprintec (birth control), and I am unable to become pregnant. This is a very personal condition that forces me to constantly think about what it means to be a woman. About my rights as a woman. Access to my MEDICATION, whether or not I become a mother, the way I look (Turner patients are quite short and look young) is absolutely nobody else’s business and I don’t want anyone else jumping in telling me how I should feel about this situation.
But the truth is, as a woman, I should be a Feminist anyway. I should be on my own team, right?
Anyways, this is the first of hopefully several thoughts I hope to share. Join me in the fight for love and equality.
