So, I recently wrote a Take about feminism. Big whoop. In fact, it was like, one day ago lol. In hindsight, I should have written the take from a more of a 'what feminism means to me and why I call myself one', but oh well. But I received a lot of interesting and valid responses to my take, that I not only couldn't argue with, that also made me really think about why I call myself a feminist.
The Issues with Feminism
I don't think there is much respect for the term/movement feminism anymore, and I can understand why. And while I support certain aspects and ideals of feminism that I wrote about in my Take, the fact is that my definition of feminism varies to that of the next person's. While I wholeheartedly
believe feminism is not 'man-hating', another person might just very well think that is exactly what feminism is.
Standing for all Humans
After much internal debate, and a lot of thinking, I re-iterated the fact that I stand for the belief that all humans are equal in fundamental worth or social status. And I don't think it is possible to achieve equality if you only address the needs/issues of one gender.
Alexander Berklam suggests:
...equality does not mean an equal amount but equal opportunity... Do not make the mistake of identifying equality in liberty with the forced equality of the convict camp. True anarchist equality implies freedom, not quantity. It does not mean that every one must eat, drink, or wear the same things, do the same work, or live in the same manner. Far from it: the very reverse in fact... Individual needs and tastes differ, as appetites differ. It is equal opportunity to satisfy them that constitutes true equality... Far from leveling, such equality opens the door for the greatest possible variety of activity and development. For human character is diverse.
Understanding and Tolerance
The road to equality is through understanding. Before we focus on Black/White, Christian/Atheist Gay/Straight or Female/Male issues etc, we need to focus on tolerance of people with different beliefs and different ways of life that do not inflict pain upon others.
In my eyes, all humans should be equal, regardless of sex, class and race. And while unfortunately not everyone is equal, this is something I'm trying my very best to work towards and make a positive impact on in whatever way -no matter how big or small -I can.
As some person wrote in the comments, actions speak louder than words anyways.
As always, if you disagree, please do so respectfully.
Thank you for reading :)
What Girls & Guys Said
Opinion
3Opinion
The problem with this is that the general understanding of what these things mean really, really is just lacking. It's so loose, so absolutely ill-defined, that it cannot be sought after. When a man says "All should have equal opportunity" he makes no sense particularly because he does not understand that it isn't equal opportunity that grants you the right to do or not do something but instead equal power that does and we all know that man cannot have equal power.
These concepts are completely dystopian in nature because instead of being able to elevate everyone to the greatest common factor we have to use the least common denominator. You list off easy things, girls vs. boys, but what about the mentally retarded versus "norms"? This is a real power dynamic; this is a tangible difference between the level of understanding two people can have and unfortunately no one answers questions like how to weave them into the web. And why? Because those are the real questions.
"In my eyes, all humans should be equal, regardless of sex, class and race." This is easy-mode. Genitalia, social class, and skin color? Really? When will people grow up and dive into the real factors of differentiation, such as why social classes actually form which is based on activity, wit, talent, and loads of other elements that we do not, cannot, and surely must not control?
No. As far as I am concerned the global society continues to dance around the really uncomfortable questions in favor for these little quips; we're concerned about how women make 83 cents to the dollar but retarded people make less than 8 cents to the dollar for work no one wants to do in programs they are essentially forced into because we are so "gracious" as to let them live and "celebrate" their position as living beings while shoving them in group homes all their lives and letting bureaucracy rule their days all of their days.
But those questions? Nah. No one answers them. There is no voice for "The People Who Need It", just a voice for the people who can be heard, and if that is the case, if it is not an equal platform, then why call it Egalitarianism?
Naivete at it's best.
You make very good points, nothing I can really argue with either.
I'm only 16, and very naive and sheltered, but hopefully that will change.
"Egalitarianism vs. Feminism"
--> "Delusional utopians vs batshit insane fascists".
Fixed it for you.
True... but to be fair I can see when people take things too far, I support aspects but not everything. But then, one could say, why even bother calling yourself either?
ment's rights is a joke. feminism has more grounding to it.