Feminist: What Makes You One.

“ Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender ”

~ Alice Walker.

The most misunderstood term in the society is Feminism. Feminism and Feminists of today’s world are looked up to be women who are male bashing in nature and who have a soulful hatred for men. But the question remains, is this what actually feminism stands for? Is dominating men the only purpose of feminism?

Feminism is defined as “ the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. ”

Everything that feminism has been fighting for is equality of both the genders and what it is being fighting with are the societal norms and practices which prohibits the balance between the genders. The presence of femininity in feminism is because we are at that stage where we are following equity over equality. Women have been dominated by patriarchy for a long period of time, the patriarchal society and it’s bindings have kept women from getting an education, having a career and even from making any choices for herself. Girls were considered as a burden for the family and were wedded at early ages, destroying their childhood and basic right of education. We are at that point where we need to provide facilities to all these little girls and women around the globe so that they get their basic rights and their upliftment brings the balance between the genders. The amount of women who are still being dominated by patriarchy are much more in number than the ones free to make choices.

The male gender does play a vital role in the patriarchal society but that brings us to the argument which differentiates a Feminist and a Femi-nazi. All the men aren’t to be blamed for what has been happening with women. Out of a lot of incorrect men out there, there are men who are a blessing to this society as they stand with and for women and their rights. Men for years have been the privileged gender, yes they have their issues but that doesn’t change any fact that they have been highly privileged for a lot of years and that is the reason why we need the men to stand with us to make the changes the society requires, make our surroundings free from inequality.

Femi-nazi is a person who misuses feminism for personal agenda. They are the ones posting on their social media handles about how men are trash and woman are the superior gender. This vindictive for the patriarchal pressure destroys the basic idea of feminism which means equality and no superiority of any gender.

What makes you a Feminist?

• Anybody can be a feminist, irrespective of the person’s gender.

• A feminist always stands up for equality, knows how the upliftment of underprivileged women will bring the equality that the society needs.

• The strong feeling that makes a person stand up against the wrong things happening the society ( victims being women or men), makes them a feminist.

• Feminist neither finds a gender superior to the other nor does it criticizes any gender for the patriarchal issues prevailing in the society for years.

Do not let the feminazis around you get into your head and spoil the whole purpose of feminism. If you are there wanting equality of sexes, then you are a feminist. You don’t even have to go out there and fight with every individual, your little contribution towards the basic rights of women can bring the balance we need.

I strongly believe that there will be a time when we will reach the equilibrium and that day each and everyone of us will be a Feminist, wanting the best for each other.

Regards,