Almost everyone in this 21st century is well-known with the term ‘feminism’, even though some are biased against it without getting their facts right.
I am a steadfast liberal who believes that the other side needs to be heard and treated with respect no matter how much you may disagree with what they have to think or say. But having that kind of mindset in a men-dominated is really very challenging for guys like us. But I would still like to share my point of view.
We need to foster conversation and debate that act more as a discussion rather and a direct attack on the character of those involved as it seems always be today. I recently read an article on a random website entitled “Men and Feminism: I don’t hate women, I just don’t agree with the message of feminism” and felt the need to write my reaction on what is presented in the article.
Firstly, feminism is equality. Feminism is empowerment. Feminism is creating a voice for a group that was traditionally silenced. Feminism is creating change. Feminism is what every woman should strive to be a part of. Feminism is helping all people live in a society filled with equal opportunity and devoid of discrimination of all forms. Making the claim that women are better than feminism is just not possible. In my brain, I cannot depict what it looks like for a woman to be better than feminism. There are women who claim to not believe in feminism because they do not experience any type of discrimination, but this is clearly not the situation for the majority of the female population. Potentially, this what is meant by the author of the article when saying that their sisters do not need feminism because they simply do not experience discrimination.
For me, if you are in a position of privilege where you do not experience inequity, you need to use your position to better the women around you who are voiceless. You should never be above feminism because they are always women around who need a voice, who need to be represented, who need to experience equality. Feminism does not teach you to be entitled. It teaches you to be confident, to be powerful, to be loud, to not take shit from anyone. I will agree with the author (partially, twisting the words a little bit) in saying that feminism teaches you to be empowered because empowered women could possibly be the most damn powerful force on the face of the Earth when determined and united. Empowered women, to some men, are threatening because I think that they’re finally starting to realize the strength and ferocity of a mobilized and strong-minded group of tenacious women.
Unfortunately, the word “feminist” has a certain negative connotation about it. I believe that this is why there is such a discrepancy between the statistics mentioned in my friend’s article taken from a Huffington Post article. Our society has taught us that when we hear the term “feminist”, to picture God-hating, liberal women with multicoloured hair prancing around denouncing everything that is ‘manhood’. Society is to blame for the stigma around feminism. The statistics presented by Society Uncles, Neighbouring Aunties and Political Buffoons are not representative of the entire population because they are influenced by the fact that society tells women not to be feminists out of fear, fear that women will challenge the systematic discrimination that has been in place for a long time. Feminism should be celebrated, defended, protected, followed, practised, and most importantly, accepted.
Claiming that men will not respect women because they’re a feminist is so far from the truth. Men who do not respect feminists are ignorant and probably a little bit intimidated. Being a feminist to me means that you are determined, you are aware, you’re strong, you are confident, you are brave. It means that you are to be respected. Being a feminist means you’re a “strong, intelligent, and wholehearted person” who deserves the utmost admiration because you’re actively changing and bettering society by calling out its faults.Feminism is not an idea that should be feared or forced back against. Feminism simply seeks equality, equality for all. I’m a man and I’m a feminist. You’d be surprised by how many male feminists there are. If we are all equals—act like it.