I often avoid the very general topic of feminism when I write. A lot of people have very warped views of feminism and the definition even more so. I have avoided it because I am well aware of my own fallibility and the extent to which people will fight for their opinions on gender equality.
This is also why I have chosen to write about this on my personal blog rather than for a student or national publication, online or in print.
What drove me to finally get my opinion out there was merely half an hour of watching Reggie Yates' documentary 'Extreme UK: Men at War', which showed men attacking feminism and complaining about male issues. I had to turn it off half way through for fear that I could not contain my anger and disgust. Many of the men on the programme seemed to think that feminism was going beyond equality; an attempt to turn the tables by asserting themselves and making men inferior. In many ways, these men seem to feel threatened by women fighting for gender rights and seem to believe that women have become superior already.
I'm fairly certain that women still have a long way to go before we reach full equality let alone superiority. Feminism should stand for equality, not for women's superiority.
Ultimately, I have reached a state of exhaustion where I am fed up with being objectified, not taken seriously in situations, cat-called and asked if I am on my period when I am legitimately angry about something, all because of my gender. These are only some of the ways in which I feel women are still not equal to men. We may have rights legally, but socially it's a different matter.
Cat-calling and street harassment are my worst fears. Stopping harassment is not about suppressing male sexuality and desire simply because it can be offensive, but for the general safety and comfort of those targeted. Not all men are rapists but enough are to strike fear into me as I walk past a man alone just on the off-chance that he might have horrible intentions. Whilst I could tell myself that most men won't take it any further than a comment, it doesn't decrease my anxiety or the feeling of violation. This is especially relevant since the attacks in Cologne and other cities in Europe on New Years Eve. I heard a story of a British girl whose clothes were ripped off her in Paris and she was violated. The fact is, these incidents were very clearly men targeting women and not the other way around.
Unfortunately, feminism has gained a bad name for itself. Many women and men say that they are not feminists but believe in equality of the genders. What they don't realise is feminism and equality are the same thing by definition. Yet, perhaps the movement has made such a name for itself that the definition has changed. This is a real shame because the word 'feminism' is distrusted by so many and may hinder the growth and development of gender equality. The men on the documentary were describing feminists as fat and hairy because they don't groom themselves for men. I mean who cares? We have the right to do what we want with our bodies whether men like it or not. This is just another example of the way that feminists are portrayed.
It is highly important than men gain equality too. Of course it is. There is no doubt there men face social issues in every day life. However, it is very worrying that some men want to slate feminism because they think their issues are more important. Historically and presently, women still face more dangerous and more serious issues based on their gender that are far less menial than the issues that were raised in Reggie Yates' documentary. They may argue that in today's society women do have far more rights than they used to. This is only true when we focus on the west, and there's still a long way to go. All around the world, places outside America and Europe, women suffer far more than men.
These are just a few of my opinions in brief. I am no way informed enough to make a fully infallible statement on the matter and I am open to comment.
