We are in the midst a feminist revolution. Millennials get a bad rep for being self-centered and absorbed in our electronics. What I'm really excited about is the current revolution that is spreading across the internet, empowering women and girls about it being okay to be themselves. Our heteronormative and patriarchal culture often makes women feel like they are too much. We take up too much space and we need to shrink ourselves in order to create more space for men.
This revolution shares videos, pictures, and stories of women who refuse to conform to societal standards and are unafraid to be themselves. Women all over the world are sharing their experiences of celebrating their femininity, empowering women and girls everywhere. It's extremely uplifting and hopeful when our newsfeeds are often flooded with dirty politics, celebrity scandals, and police brutality. I want to join this feminist revolution and share with you my 7 favorite things about being a girl.
1. Wearing dresses
I love dresses so much. I realize that dresses aren't just for girls, but in our culture, they are commonly regarded as something that women wear. If you know me, you know about my undying hatred for pants. Pants are the enemy. They're hot and restrictive, and I'll do just about anything to avoid wearing them. Dresses are spinny and flowy. There's nothing like the feeling of finding the perfect dress that fits in all the right places and then twirling around with it.
2. Playing rugby
I didn't start playing rugby until I got to college. I tried all kinds of sports before, but was not very good at them. Tap, ballet, jazz, modern, ice skating, gymnastics, swimming, karate, soccer, volleyball, the list goes on and on. Rugby, however, was different. I'll write another article about it once the season starts in the fall. Rugby is a rough sport. It's violent and leaves me with cuts and bruises on a regular basis. So why is it one of my favorite things about being a girl? It makes me feel strong and beautiful. There's a position for every body. No one is shamed for their body type, because all different types are necessary for a successful team.
3. Playing dress up
Confession: I still love playing dress up. When I get bored, I sometimes put on a fancy dress, do my hair and make up, and just twirl around my house. I never grew out of the phase where it was fun to get dressed up for no reason. I'm not a huge makeup person, but I am quite attached to my $5 eyeliner. It makes me feel like a princess, which is pretty fun.
4. Challenging assumptions
Because we live in a patriarchal society, men often underestimate me, whether it's intentional or not. My favorite thing is when I can exceed their expectations or blow their stereotypical assumptions to hell. I'm small but mighty. I'm sometimes the victim of catcalling, and I don't hesitate to call them out on it. After being catcalled, I sometimes reply, "Excuse me??" and give them a "I'm having none of this shit" look. They're often a little started, and I've gotten an embarrassed "Sorry ma'am" before they quickly shuffle away.
5. Complimenting other girls
As part of this feminist revolution, women are stressing how important it is to support other women, rather than tearing them down. When girls fight, they get MEAN, so why not keep it civil and unite against the patriarchy? Just telling someone you like their dress or their earrings can brighten their day. Share that love and tell society that you're proud to be a strong woman.
6. Conforming to society
So as much as this article is about going against societal norms, it's definitely okay to conform to society. As someone who is going into nursing, a historically female occupation, I've thought a lot about what this means for me as a feminist. Does it mean that I've failed? Of course not. We still need nurses. Liking, wearing, or being things that are stereotypically female do NOT make you less of a woman or a bad feminist. Take pride in what you do, wear an entirely pink outfit, go shopping and get your nails done. Don't keep yourself from things you enjoy because you think it'll make you a better feminist. By staying away from things that are culturally feminine, you're sending the message that it's shameful or undesirable to be a woman. If you don't like getting your nails done or wearing pink, then don't, but don't let feminism be the reason you don't.
7. Not conforming to society
I spend way too much time on tumblr, but my favorite feminist thing that women are doing is refusing to move when they walk towards a man. You know that awkward dance you do when you are walking into the same space as someone else? If it's a man and a woman, almost 100% of the time, the woman will move. So what happens when women don't move? Men collide with them.
Here's the fantastic post.
