Feminism Through My Eyes

Reading the 28 most iconic feminist moments of 2013* got me thinking. A lot actually.

Here was my initial thought, i go on further to explain: I realised whether you're a 15 year old girl attacked for trying to gain education, an indian woman being blamed as a victim of rape, or a 23 year old western girl who feels the need to bare too much skin on a night out, they are all forms of sexism, of inequality. Girls in these situations, the first two clearly more dire, should know it is not their fault and will hopefully be able to stand up to their opresser. But the third kind, the western kind of inequality makes it harder to stand up to or even identify your opressor, because when you look in the mirror you only see a reflection.

My problems, yet full support for feminism

Feminism is described as "the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes."

1. I don't really like the term feminist. Over the years it's been given a bad name, a bad feeling about it. It essentially makes me think of a bitchy cranky old woman who complains about every slight injustice and lives for only that. But where has this stereotype come from? I can only pressume from people who don't care or want to listen to the truths and injustices a feminist would want to correct. Men and women a like i feel are responsible for this. and i feel guilty for thinking like this as well. slowly these days the definition is changing but it still feels like if a woman identifies as a feminist it completely redefines her interests, passions and life goals. Just because you're a feminist does not mean you will change the world, or that you're on some crazy mission to do so. Although, should we not be? Those like Malala Yousafzai or any one who has come face to face with dealing with such inequalities are understandable in making such issues a huge part of their life. I suppose because they didn't intend the struggle to part of their life at all. Only to be able to do what every human should be aloud to do, to have the same rights as everyone else.

We don't all face sexism in the same way especially in our western society, so it can sometimes feel, or be looked upon that fighting for feminist equality is silly and over the top; Not needed or called for in our western culture where women are treated more like equals.

So thats maybe why i have this backward or conflicting impression of what a feminist is or does. When really I suppose its about not being any stereotype at all, not a bossy female trying to stand on her own, or somone living in the shadow of the other sex. just fighting for what you believe is fair should you need to. Some help and support those already in an unfair fight, others just carry the morals through in their day to day life.

2. Are we treated more equal in the western world? Being a feminist in our western civilization is no longer about looking at yourself or other women and asking if we're being treated fairly, but asking am I treating myself and other woman fairly. Only this can help other woman and men follow suit to change the ideals of the future sexes.

We have a lot more equality and freedom to persue anything we desire, we are taken seriously by most in the business world. I feel though there maybe still a lot of issues in the work place concerning equality, the battle or problems are coming from a more basic source.

Our biggest enemy is ourselves. We have become our own opressers. We make ourselves up for men, and they may not even notice, but has it not become more about keeping up with the competition? 'Oh i wish i looked like her', or even putting the compettition to shame. 'she looks like a slag', 'she's acting like a whore'. we shame ourselves and eachother into a guilt spiral that only enflames the ideas that we are only as good as we look. It's a boring cliche argument but is no less relevant or important today as it was 50 years ago. We have run with this ideal of women being creatures of beauty, perfection, motherly affection, these more than often disposable dolls, and we are more than happy to still play that part. because we want to please. it is still spoon fed to us. it is rewarded. beaty is still seen as one of the main aspirations or worths of being a woman, atleast in the media and advertising. We all know that is not the case but most of the ways we have realised this is due to our own discoveries and experiences in life. It is never the quick sell or the bill board, not on the scale or to the degree it should be. It is marketing built so deep within us we are holding it against one another without thinking twice. It is easy to blame the media but we are all responsible. Men and women. If we woman don't act like our greatest virtue is our bodies, men will react likewise, and if media followed or supported this idea then our future sexes might think of themselves differently. of course this doesn't happen over night. I myself know I am more than how I look, but still can't help to seek that approval. It is a process, but one that is better to be reminded of than the pressure we put upon ourselves and others.