I think people are ~confused~.
Definition of feminism
- 1: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
- 2: organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests
***source: Merriam-Webster, web. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminis...
Feminism is NOT:
-demanding superiority over other genders/sexes.
OR
-demanding a society that deems women as the "better" sex.
Although I was unable to join the physical march, I have chosen to join the principle of the march. Recently, I have noticed an upheaval of opinions on social media regarding the nature behind many individual's intentions in marching. Most notably, in "This Woman DOES NOT Support the Women's March," http://m.blogher.com/woman-does-not-support-womens.., which made its round on Facebook recently, and I have been especially alarmed at some people's reality.
At one point in the first paragraph of this blog post, the author wrote, "I am all for equal pay with men but marching and chanting isn't going to do a damn thing." At this point, I both laugh and shutter at the thought that someone really believes that marching and chanting creates no change. Shall I inform this woman on the plethora of movements that have not only originated, thrived, but also become SUCCESSFUL based on the activities of marching and chanting? Does this author refuse to realize that maybe she is allowed to access a computer and express her own thoughts because of women before us who have done just that? I don't think the author of this article understands how any movement has ever begun. Theoretically, if every divided, overlooked, fundamental right lacking, or exploited group of individuals just "minded their own business" and "got over it," what would our society look like? What would AMERICA look like? If women hadn't previously taken to the streets with signs in hand, would this woman even be able to cast a vote? Would her husband even have allowed her to raise her own opinion? Doubtful.
Donald Trump isn't the first, last, sole, or most important person perpetuating the necessary movement behind the Women's March and our country is not the only place with suffering Women's rights.
Additionally, stop assuming every feminist, marcher, shouter, believer, chanter, etc, is a woman.
I've been motivated by an article (ironically) addressing the author of a previous Odyssey piece. Titled "PSA to The Odyssey: Feminism isn’t about hating men," the author writes,
"Feminism means that my daughter will receive the same wage, the same rights, the same ownership of her body, of what she wears, of what she does, as my son."
And THAT is the reality we all need. Although the article "This Woman DOES NOT Support the Women's March" has resinated with some by trying to turn it around to make it seem like feminists aren't ~good enough~ feminists by protesting now instead of within the previous 8 years, let's remember that sometimes a need for change has a certain punctuality. Let's remember that doctors wait to diagnose diseases before they treat them. Let's remember that it took- and will still take- time for us to figure what the hell is wrong with people's understanding of the world around us before we can come to complete terms as to how to fix it.
Until then, be proactive.
Do not rest, do not waiver, because together- we are better.
