Why is feminism looked at in such a negative light? Yes, I agree that many feminists can be overbearing at times, but with stereotypes that float through newspaper and website titles, stories and gossip, most people have a poor view of feminism. That should not be the case. Our world has had countless amazing feminists that young women can look up to. Women like Susan B. Anthony, Alice Blackwell, Annie Cooper, Margaret Fuller, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Elizabeth "Betty" Bloomer Ford, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Annie Oakley. The list could go on forever, it seems. Today, though, finding a feminist that most people look at as historically important is very hard because of these negative stereotypes and associations. In my eyes, though, finding one is not that hard. The best feminist in our modern-day world is none other than the queen herself: Beyoncé.
Back in 2011, Bey came out and said that "Girls Run the World," but in her self-titled album there is a song that nails feminism right on the nose: "Flawless."
The lyrics to the second verse performed by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie address many issues girls and women agree with, and outline what feminism should really stand for.
We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls,
"You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man."
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support.
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
political, and economic equality of the sexes
These lyrics go much deeper than just to make another hit for Beyoncé because, let's be real, she has plenty of those. These lyrics make a statement and an argument. They share the ideas that many girls struggle to come out and say.
Why are women sluts when men get lucky?
Why is a girl asking for it if she decided to express herself with a tight dress?
Why are women expected to be stay-at-home mothers rather than work like men?
Why can't women be competitive for jobs and not just when trying to attract men?
Why do women only make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes for the same job?
Beyoncé has come out and said that "I am just a woman, and I love being a woman." Every girl should have this mindset. There should be no doubt in any woman's mind that she deserves the best. Having said all that, men, you also deserve the best. It is about equality for both. Beyoncé has always said that she is a firm believer in equality and is not your typical feminist in our history. She defies the stereotype that feminism only supports women when in reality it supports the equality of men and women.
Imagine if men and women were switched; men would be fighting for equal pay and to stop sexual stereotypes just like women today do. The queen supports women and men; she supports both in fulfilling each life to the fullest and making sure both sexes receive equal opportunity to do that. Here are some amazing words by Beyoncé that she has shared with our world to get men and women to think about feminism in today's society.
"I truly believe that women should be financially independent from their men. And let's face it, money gives men the power to run the show. It gives men the power to define value. They define what's sexy. And men define what's feminine. It's ridiculous."
"We have to teach our boys the rules of equality and respect, so that as they grow up gender equality becomes a natural way of life. And we have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible."
"Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are."
"The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence."
"A true diva is graceful, and talented, and strong, and fearless and brave and someone with humility."
"I felt like it was time to set up my future, so I set a goal. My goal was independence."
"We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead."
"Power's not given to you. You have to take it."
"Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are."
So what I am trying to say here is:
More people should have the same outlook as Beyoncè when it comes to feminism.
Start to stand up against the stereotypes and for the equality of men and women.
