Why I Prefer The Word “Feminist” Over “Equalist”

Anonymous

Why I Prefer The Word “Feminist” Over “Equalist”
Feminism gets one hell of a bad rap, and as far as I'm concerned it's the other f-word. Declaring that you're a feminist in social spaces can have mixed reactions, ranging from pleasant surprise to withdrawal. Sometimes, when I say that I'm a feminist, people act as though I'm about to take off my bra, douse it in kerosene, light it on fire and throw it into a busy intersection—only after I spit on a man, that is. Sorry to disappoint, but I forgot my matches tonight, let's reschedule?


Equality Is Not Enough!!! We Need Equity


The terms equity and equality are sometimes used interchangeably, which can lead to confusion because while these concepts are related, there are also important distinctions between them.What equality does, is create an environment with equal opportunity for all to succeed. At the surface, that really seemed fair but, it’s not, because we don’t have the same access to these resources and even though we have the same resources at our disposal, individual differences wouldn’t allow us function at the same level. Like the third child, the resources might be useless. Equality ignores our individual uniqueness and assumes that we are homogeneous.


Equality posits that we have the same background, biological composition, traits, etc.Equity is what bridges the differences and creates an opportunity for all to succeed while paying attention to individual uniqueness. There is a need to go beyond equality if the gap of marginalisation will be closed.


Acknowledging Your Privilege Isn’t Enough


Most of the time, I have a structural advantage because I am white, straight, cis-gendered, wealthy, educated, able-bodied, American, and English-speaking.Being born into a financially stable family can help guarantee your health, happiness, safety, education, intelligence, and future opportunities.By being born able bodied, you probably don’t have to plan your life around handicap access, braille, or other special needs.In some situations, I am at a structural disadvantage because I am female.


How exactly does one push back against privilege once it has been acknowledged?


Good question!!! By being a feminist and a social justice warrior. Being an equalist isn't enough.

Why I Prefer The Word “Feminist” Over “Equalist”
32 Opinion