Unlike the various individuals I've seen online, I do not claim to be an expert on the recent marches that relate to women's rights. Predominantly, I've seen self-righteous activists ramble on about how these women are ignorant. How they are radical. Perhaps, how vulgar they are is also a source of opposition. Like I said, I am not an expert, so as far as I know, they may very well have been expressing this behavior. It's not uncommon for the radical minority of a group or movement to shine the most brilliantly in the media. So, of course, if you choose to vocalize that these women do not represent you, then that's entirely justified; however, and this is doesn't apply to everyone, but it appears to me that most of the women, and men who simply ostracize them, choose to vocalize their misrepresentation of them because they believe them to represent the gestalt of feminism.
How often must one remind you that irrational feminists, some of them misandrists, do not represent feminism? I understand that when a third party alludes to feminism, whether this person is referring to it negatively or positively, the initial stereotype that surfaces in your mind is a pink-haired, severely overweight, Tumblr blogger who literally hates men. I understand that, just like with any other movement, there are not-so-radical members who still assert ridiculous arguments. Lastly, I understand that you aren't misogynist simply because you don't claim the feminist title. Yes, there are individuals who hate feminism because they inherently do not support the advocation of equality between men and women. The kind of man who believes a woman should be willing to grab them a beer, make them dinner, or wash their clothes at a moment's notice. Or, the kind of woman who is contempt with her own subjugation, and wishes her friends would realize that, in order to be successful and complete women, they have to find a man and bear his children. Otherwise, you're still just a girl. The media, possibly indeliberately, has brainwashed their viewers into believing that this is the only representation of a feminist, because Dr. Woman, a professor who believes she deserves the same respect as an academic as Dr. Man, just isn't quite as shocking or interesting to the general public.
Women still face numerous inequalities in modern society. The century-long path of the feminist is paved by the sweat and tears of feminists who fought for distinct reasons. Earlier in the 20th century, women fought for equal rights under the law. Later in the 20th century, women fought for equal rights under society, and feminism has traveled an extensively road since its origins. But, as with many movements, there is still work to be done. Unless you honestly believe that the prerogative of the woman is to serve her husband, exclusively care for the children, and clean the house, then I understand that you aren't a misogynist. No one's really saying that you are. You can be a feminist woman and not hate men, as 99% of feminists also do not hate men. You can be a feminist male and not surrender every aspect of your identity and your aspirations to the cause. It is not the obligation of the feminist man to step down and let a female take his place. It is the mission to pursue your career aspirations and also vocalize your perception of injustice when you see women who are more capable than many of the insipid, undedicated men you've seen be denied a path to their dream because of their gender. Also, if you feel that you've been dealt an injustice, socially or otherwise, as a man, you can remain a feminist and express what you believe to be an injustice dealt towards yourself.
Can you comprehend how many men I've seen stand behind pulpits and tell me, as well as countless impressionably young girls, that a woman isn't to hold authority? That a woman's purpose is inherently to serve a man, and all other pursuits are trivial? Do you believe that this misogyny represents you as a non-feminist? Of course you don't, and of course it doesn't. Therefore, do not submit to the prospect that a manhating misandrist is nothing more than a significant minority of feminists whose only claim to feminism is their self-entitlement thereof. And don't surrender to the concept that in order to be a feminist, every opinion you hold must entirely adhere to other feminists' opinion on the matter. Many of them also tend to disagree on various matters.
So, do not let the rising contention in the social world, specifically, the recent media coverage of the women's marches, blur the truth about feminism.
