(That's it. Basically...)
For too long feminists have all been put together under one man hating, bra burning, angry stereotype. I want to set the record straight. A feminist is anybody male or female who agrees that men and women should be equal. Anybody that believes that women should be afforded the same rights and respect as men. Feminists are...
..teenage girls shot in the head for fighting for their right to an education
..victims of sexual abuse too ashamed to come forward (male or female)
..tom boys and girly girls
..pretty boys and manly men
..men who are just sick of not being allowed to cry
..and women who are sick of being expected to
There is no limit to who a feminist can be. It's your high flying business man next door and the artsy hippy down the road. I am a feminist. I don't hate men and I don't hate women(but I make exceptions for both sex). I have never burnt a bra in my life, why would I? They are better than sliced bread and far more useful to me. I am not an angry person (though again, I make exceptions), in fact for the most part I giggle and nervously laugh my way through life. I am a feminist.
The word 'feminism' strikes fear, embarrassment and unease into too many people. It has got a bad rep over the years; being feminist isn't popular anymore. Maybe the word is tainted, maybe we need to find a suitable alternative or maybe everyone needs to get a grip and to see that the word isn't really what's important but the idea really is.
We have come so far in the UK over the past 100 years, but in my opinion not fair enough. There is still inequality, women are still often paid less for the same work, hold less top positions in business, their sports are seen as less important and their looks so much more. They are more often the victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Gender inequality is hurting men too. Men who suffer sexual and domestic abuse are made to feel like they are lesser men because 'abuse is something that happens to women'. They hold less positions in professions such as teaching and nursing; 'women's jobs'. They are less likely to gain custody of children, when they are just as likely to be good parents. Inequality is hurting everyone. In a number of other countries women's rights are practically non existent. Women are still not allowed to drive, work, have bank accounts, have opinions or even really have lives at all without male consent. Inequality, whatever level it is at, needs to stop. Women are important. Men are important. We all need to be equal. Not some 'more equal' than others.
But change doesn't happen by itself. Everyone, no matter how big, popular, powerful or intelligent need to say and do their bit to effect it. Sitting back and letting someone else do it, feeling embarassed or ashamed and hiding your beliefs helps no one. Not everyone will agree with you, but not everyone won't and you might even change somebody's mind. Who knows?
Either way, thank you Emma Watson for reminding me that it needs to be me, now.
Love,
Gemma
-xoxo-
PS, this is the speech. Watch it. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/21/emma-watson-gender-equality_n_5858206.html (Ignore the very loud clapping at the start. And maybe the fact I've just said what she did..but less well)
PPS, I know this isn't very well phrased or put together. But I wanted to write it now before I let 'life things' get the better of me and I don't find time
PPPS, thanks for reading this far. I'm sure the grammar was painful.
