Dearest housewife, with your head in the privilege clouds, do not worry. I will still fight for you. While you sit behind your white picket fence and sip mimosas while feeding your golden retriever, I will still fight for you, and I will forever support your decision to be a devoted mother and endearing housewife, I implore you: be thankful for your right to have that choice.
Without the feminists that "make us look bad" your place as a stay at home mother would be mandatory. Of course society needs great mothers, PTA presidents who fund-raise by selling cookie dough, moms sporting Ray bans in their Honda vans carting kiddos to soccer practice, I even had a mom just like you. We need you, but do not ever say that YOU do not need US. The feminists and activists that make your life more pleasant, those focused on equal rights and social justice issues.
For now I will not focus on the ill- written facts and figures you published about the number of women in certain professions and academic subjects, and will emphasize the real issue, and that is the misinformed perception you have of your fighting sister, feminists.
Feminism is not about insulting you- or anyone for that matter. Quite the contrary. We want you to be able to make any decision that bests fits you, whether you are a stay at home mother of four, or a militant lesbian who swears off pro- creation for herself, or anyone in between. Feminism isn't about eradicating any one type of person, but about empowering each and every one.
If you feel judged for choosing to be a domestic Goddess, you are surrounding yourself with the wrong people. The only division in our sisterhood is the one you've created in your mind, and if you need clarification about the motives and agenda of the feminist movement, just take a look back into history.
You may not know this, but feminism is for everyone.
I know, it's a crazy notion. But we as a sisterhood are trying to rid this toxic state of patriarchy that affects everyone negatively.
We are fighting for men who are told to act tough, don't cry, and told not to take part in certain activities because it makes them appear "weak". We are fighting for the men who are raped, men who fall victim to countless idealized body standards and ideas of masculinity that have been shown to be psychologically harmful.
We are fighting for women who need to be empowered. have their voices heard, their interests represented. We are fighting against assault and domestic violence. We are fighting for access to healthcare and control of our bodies. We are fighting against stigma and sexism.
We are making the world a better place for your son to be comfortable in his own skin. I want him to be able to express himself and not face judgement, I want him to learn to respect others and be respected, I want him to overthrow this state of patriarchy because he is tired of falling victim to it's toxicity.
I want your daughter to be taken seriously in school and as a professional, I want her to feel safe. I want her to live in a world where she has access to women's healthcare. I want her to be able to walk confidently at any time of the day, without fear that she will be attacked. I want her to be viewed as an equal, but most importantly I want her to have her own power, no matter what she chooses to do with her life.
I want your children to have complete access, regardless of their socioeconomic status, to quality education, healthcare and a full range of opportunities; and your argument may be that they already have these things, but I strive for optimal access and exceptional resources, and I will not stop fighting until we have the very best.
I want your husband to respect every single one of your decisions. I hope he fights for your rights and stands by you. I hope he votes for candidate that represent your best interest.
I want you to reconcile your love for all things domestic while still being a feminist, because these two things can coexist. Why can't I be an activists who marches in Washington while also being a badass mother who organizes bake sales and makes dinner for the kids by 6?
I want your family to become feminists.
We are fighting for a better world for your children. A world free of judgement, harassment, and discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, orientation, or race, including you, Momma Bear.
An important tidbit I might add for extra flavor: just because YOU do not feel injustice in your daily life, does not mean others are free of it, and that my friend, is called privilege. While you think we have accomplished enough, I see work to be done, and that is why I AM a feminist.
I hope one day you come to the realization that working against us, is working against yourself.
I hope that one day you and your family will stand next to me while I hold up my picket sign, so that you can live happily behind your picket fence.