The internet is loaded with thousands of articles, the videos are flooding youtube, everyone right from an actor, sportsperson, politician to the activist talking about it. The topic is not something that you haven’t heard of, in fact, it is something that you hear a lot. Feminism. There is no doubt that women are considered the secondary gender on this planet and we haven’t been treated equally or even nicely in some sections of the society.
But I am not another women rights activist who is going to scream on top of my voice, who is going to fight for women’s right. But, I am not sorry.
My question here is- While everybody is fighting so hard for the women’s right and FEMINISM, especially people on the social media. how good has it done to the society?
Dear men, here’s to you- Can you recall any of the article or video on the internet that has suddenly changed your mindset about women, and you have overnight started respecting us, understand us, not wanting to stare at the women wearing short clothes.
Probably not. It is because I FEEL, they are not doing any good to the society. Such things will not change what our society has been carrying for years.
So, we should stop talking about it? No, that’s not the solution, in fact talking is the only solution. Not only on the internet, though. Here is my idea of what Feminism actually means, and how it can go about in the society. You may or may not agree with what I say. But that’s not my concern. In the world where half of them cannot even spell the word, I do not expect them to truly understand it.
I am a feminist. What? My long hair, my eyeliner, my short clothes, basically my appearance which is very girly, doesn’t make you believe that. Because probably you think a female feminist is someone who keeps short hair and acts like a man. Well, I would say that’s some great sarcasm. A person who can’t even embrace her femininity, I do not think can fight for me at least.
For me, the term feminism has very very basic meaning. I am not going to talk about national issues, how a woman is not welcomed in the political arena or in the corporate world. Feminism has to begin at a basic level.
Feminism for me is freedom.
The freedom that I do not have to rely on any of the men out there who believe relying on women is hurting their male ego. The freedom that I can support myself in every aspect of my life. I need not be dependent on my husband, my father, my son for any of my financial demands. Or the mindset that makes me believe that even If I don’t excel in my career I can always marry a rich guy who will take care of my demands. The freedom that I do not have to wait for anybody to come and drive when I need to go the market. The freedom that I can totally go out at night if I feel like. The freedom that I can take care of the slight power-cuts, the freedom that when I see a small insect I don’t cry for help of my little brother. The freedom of living on my own completely, and not being dependent on anyone. That in any sense does not mean that I enjoy living alone. That’s just some independence and freedom, just like men do not feel like relying on us for petty issues. That’s exactly what I want for me.
After freedom comes the equality.
The equality when I do not wait for a guy I like to make the first move because they believe, boys should approach you. And I know I will be a seen as a whore if I do so. I don’t care.I am just asking for some equality. And that’s okay If you do not understand that because maybe you are too conventional. The equality that I am treated equally in a metro and not offered a seat by a young man, who thinks I cannot stand for half-an-hour. I want equality, when I am seen with mercy in the category of ‘seniors citizens and especially disabled’ in the public transport. “Please vacant the seat for senior citizens, especially disabled and women”. That hurts. Equality when a group of men is smoking or drinking, not considering me in and bluntly saying, Oh! You are women, you can’t smoke or drink. Equality when I am in anger and I cuss just like you men and then being stared and asked. You are women and you are abusing? Equality when there is a problem in the family or at work and I am given a backseat and told let the man handle it. I am not going to ask for small privileges that this world has given to me in the name of equality. A seat in a metro, an extra line at the ticket counter, You can keep that. Because equality also means that I have to take all the hard tasks too.
That’s how feminism works for me!
I am going to take little steps, teach my son and my daughter tomorrow how feminism has to go about. Never telling them that cooking and cleaning is mumma’s job and earning and driving is dad’s, so they don’t feel any awkward when dad is cooking and mom is driving. That’s how I will change my world into a feminist one!
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