Cheris Kramarae and Paula Treicher once said, "Feminism is the radical notion that women are people." That is why I need feminism. In this day and age, it's generally accepted that women are people, yet that is not reflected in the worlds daily actions. On the surface, women are seen as equals. However, in practice, we are treated as far less than men. I need feminism...
1. Because I've been cat called.
I should be able to walk down a street freely without having so called "compliments" shouted at me left and right. I couldn't begin to tell you the number of times I've had men shout things at me all while I was minding my own business. It doesn't seem to matter where you are or the age of the perpetrator. This is not an isolated problem. I've been cat called in tiny Potsdam, NY. I've been cat called in the Hamptons. I've been cat called by grown men. I've been cat called by young boys. This is not okay.
2. Because women don't receive equal pay for equal work.
Nothing infuriates me like knowing no matter how hard I work, I will not recieve as much pay as my male counterparts. How is this seen as okay? Does the Equal Pay Act mean nothing?
3. Because every six seconds a woman in the US is raped.
We need to stop justifying rape. It has never been the victims fault, and it never will be. Society needs to stop teaching women how not to get raped and start teaching men not to rape.
4. Because I can't walk alone at night without being afraid
My friends and I walk in groups. No one walks home alone. If I see a female walking alone late at night, I'm nervous for her. If I see a man walking alone at night, I don't give it a second thought. Women are regularly offered rides home or to be walked home. While that is kind, and I definitely appreciate the men that have done this for me, it would be nice to be an equal and not have to fear walking alone. Walking alone is a luxury that is not safely provided to women.
5. Because I should be allowed to decide what happens to my body
77 percent of anti-abortion leaders are men. Ironically, none of them will ever become pregnant. Women are not trying to pass legislation on the male body, why is it okay for men to do so for women? Personally, I don't believe I could ever bring myself to get an abortion, but I'd like the option to. It is not my right, or anyone else's, to tell anyone what they can or can't do with their body. If you don't believe in something, don't do it. But don't force your views on others.
6. Because women don't have equal representation.
Women make up nearly 51 percent of the US population. You would have no idea based off our government. Wouldn't you think 51 percent of the population should have at least maybe 50% of the representation? Maybe that's just my crazy thought, I would think we deserve a bit more than 20 percent, though.
7. Because being a woman is used as an insult.
How often have you heard your gender used as an insult or an aid in a backhanded compliment? If you're a man, you could probably count the number of times on your two hands. Women, however, would be lucky if those same two hands could count the number of times for a single week. From the time we are little we hear these insults. God forbid one runs or throws "like a girl." Somehow being a woman is seen as a sign of weakness. I'd like to remind those of you throwing around these insults that without the strength of the female body, none of us would even be here.
