For some reason for the past two weeks I've been in the realm of this topic. Last weekend a local Feminist Organization, that I'm involved in held The Vagina Monologues. I had never seen the production before. I'd always been interested in what it was about. I also wanted to show support to an organization that I was a part of. I'd ask my beau if he would accompany me during this production. I already knew he would oppose. Sure enough, he did. He told me that he didn't want to go see a bunch of male bashing and women talking about how their vaginas empower them for two hours. I informed him that I highly doubted there would be a bunch of male bashing. He disagreed based on his google research of what the Vagina Monologues are. We ended up having a very long discussion via text on what feminism is, what is was, and what it shouldn't be. By the way ,I often call myself a feminist, and I'm well aware of what most people think feminism is.
Most people like my beau seem to think that feminism is a bunch of male bashing women wining about being oppressed and having equal rights as men and that's it. In actuality when the initial feminist movement started it was about women being against gender oppression and having equal rights. I think it was a great movement. Women didn't even have the right to vote back then. As time has changed the movement has definitely evolved. By coincidence I'm currently taking a course called gender and society. It's a requirement for me but, I'm actually glad that I'm taking the course and I think I'm going to enjoy it. During the introduction of our text book, Communication, Gender, and Culture by Julia T. Wood, the author briefly tells us about about herself. In doing that she says that she is a feminist. She also explained that she knew that feminism means different things to different people and defined what feminism meant to her. Her definition of it was: respecting all people, as well as non-human forms of life and earth itself. She simply put, her feminism means she is against oppression of women, men, specific sexualities or sexual orientations, particular race-ethnicities, elderly people, children, animals, and our planet. I said to myself and told my boyfriend that in a nut shell she's basically a human and animal rights activist. As she explained in the beginning of her introduction that stemmed from her initial support of feminism. I actually love her personal definition because I feel the exact same way. I actually call myself a feminist, human rights, civil rights, and cultural activist.
My boyfriend had explained to me that another reason that he opposes feminism is because it divides men and women. He also stated that there is no need for feminism in the United States because women aren't oppressed in America and, he asked why can't feminists just be against oppression period. I told him that most of them are but, let's not be oblivious to the sexism that women sometimes suffer.Women may not be necessarily oppressed here but sexism is still a HUGE issue in the U.S. If sexism and misogyny didn't exist there wouldn't be such a big deal about Hillary Clinton running for president. I think it's sad that in other countries women have been leaders for centuries but, in the "good old United State" there has never been a women president til' this day!
Sadly, there are still people that think that all women are suppose to do is stay home, cook, clean, and bare children. Let me add, and shake their ass in music videos to the list. A social change is needed to take place to eliminate this way of thinking. During a discussion in my class a female classmate of mine stated that she believes that in a relationship or marriage men should have the last say. I have to say that I was utterly disgusted when I read her comment. Another classmate of mine stated that within her marriage neither person leads or follows, they only walk side by side because they are together and partners. I thought that was beautiful and thats the way that it should be. When making any decisions within a relationship or bond both parties opinions, feelings, and views should be highly taken into consideration. There should never be one person's way or the high way. I think the whole notion of men leading and being the head of the household has came from the the religious non-sense placed in several so-called holy books. That's a whole other blog so I won't go there.
So I'm going to end this one by saying, " Yes I'm a feminist". I don't believe in causing division between man and woman because I'm a firm believer in having unity and balance but, until there are several women presidents of the United States, women in the middle East are no longer forced to cover their heads, women in Africa and other countries are no longer circumcised so that they no longer have sensation, child marriages are no longer forced on upon young girls in Africa, India, and other countries, and little girls are no longer forced to push new life out of their 14 and 15 year old vaginas, then when all of the non-sense that I just mentioned has finally ceased, then I'll be able to say I'm just a human rights activist and no longer a feminist........
Well said. Thanks for the
Well said. Thanks for the feedback! Peace and Blessings
www.glennishamorgan.com
Hooray for Feminism!
This is a very sensitive topic for a lot of women. Feminism means power which many women are afraid of. Power that has to be used correctly that is. I use to work for Starbucks, where you can always find a good conversaton on these such topics. Well, one girl in particular who I bbecame friends with, was a feminist. We would get into conversations on the topic and she came to a conclusion about me. At this time, I was not against feminism, but did not consider myself one. I did not want to be associated with the bra burners. I like shopping at Victoria Secret. Anyway, she called me a communial feminist. She said that I use my feminine energy for the upliftment of my community. Hmmm...I liked that. So since then that is what I have been striving for. Another feminist friend of mine, once shared with me a list of all the different types of feminism. I was amazed.
Now with all respect due to your boyfriend ( I know he's a great guy), one thing has to be understood. Feminism is the effect of a male dominated society that says women were not good enough to vote or hold political positions. If it were not for feminism Hilary would not be running for president, Condaleeza (spell check) would not be Bush's right hand woman, hell Oprah would not be the richest woman in America. So to say that women are oppressed is not accurate. Because it has taken this long for a woman to be seriously considered for the presidency, women are still oppressed. Women still have to strip or dance in a video to pay the bills, we are still oppressed. We have come a long way and are far from many societies where women have little or no rights, but we are still fighting for our spiriual, emotional and physical freedom. It goes beyond politics.
Men understand a woman's power, so that is why they try and hold us back. We are the Supreme Being. So they cover us up, deny us, sit to the back, try to dominate us. It is our energy that can change the world. Now I do know that there are roles that women and men play. And there are certain things that men can do that women cannot, simply put (and vice versa). This is what brings about the divide. Not understanding the role in this exsistence. The roles have to be respected in order for there to be harmony between man and woman. Harmony cannot be achieved without that ying and yang balance. That is why America and so many other cultures are at war, and there is worldy destruction. I am not even going to get on the relationship between the black man and black woman. To bring the convo 360, I don't mind being called a feminist at all. I understand my power. My family moves to my energy. If I am not right the whole house ain't right. I am sure it is the same in other households.So imagine the amount of feminine energy that aint right and how this world is being affected. (and we all know there are more women in this world than men) If we only knew our power, the amount of change that could be made in this world. So sis I am with you, feminism...yes I said it.
Much Love and many blessings,
Aremisa
www.indigenousremedies.com