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Feminism has garnered a lot of hate - both online and offline. Is this hate justified? What exactly is Feminism, after all? This post has the answers!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/evaekeblad/2230497789
Feminism has garnered a lot of hate – both online and offline. Is this hate justified? What exactly is Feminism, after all? This post has the answers!
Some words are crystal clear. “Rape,” “violence,” and “abuse” are some words that have it “easy” as compared to their counterparts. They are definite. They are an entity within themselves. They convey without hesitation, and haunt without restriction. Then come the words that, at a meagre glance, would seem absolute but dwell deep within, and suddenly you are caught off guard, in an ocean of contempt, hatred, and power, but at its root is a word misplaced.
Feminism, like most new, badly “translated” words is under fire. It pops up every now and then on our Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr feeds and every time it does, it leaves a sour aftertaste, often evoking a raging disgust. Unlike “assault,” “murder,” or “rape,” this word (feminism) is regrettably misunderstood in today’s world. So, here is my attempt to explain feminism — not to convince you or deviously manipulate you- but simply to make you aware, so that you can choose to be associated with this word, or not.
Feminism is a movement. It is a spiritual, physical, virtual movement. A movement (or cause) that promises equality and respect at all fronts for both women and men. Why do we need feminism?
We need feminism because every time in the United States when one individual gets paid 77cents and the other makes a dollar for the same work just because of the category society put them in, a large portion of equality is snatched right out from under our feet. We need feminism for every time a woman who is sexually assaulted is asked to “keep it quiet” or is blamed for the assault while her perpetrator is able to roam the streets freely.
Contrary to popular belief, feminism does not aim to take power or jobs away from men. We (for I am a proud feminist) are here to enable equal opportunity for women and to share this power with men. Often, people, especially men (read any feminist article, website or blog and you’ll see this heinous trend), love to berate the ‘fact’ that feminists “hate men”.
Why? Because feminists merely want women to be able to be credible engineers and scientists and not just tokens? Because feminists know that women are as good as men at math? Because women, like men, should have the right to choose a career over marriage? Because a woman’s clothing shouldn’t determine her character?
Why is it that when women stand up for themselves, for their bodies, and for their choices, they are shamed and bullied for it?Never miss real stories from India's women.Register Now
Why is it that when women stand up for themselves, for their bodies, and for their choices, they are shamed and bullied for it?
Why should loving yourself be equivalent to hating someone else? Why is it that when women stand up for themselves, for their bodies, and for their choices, they are shamed and bullied for it? How come when men do the same they are applauded for it? Feminism wasn’t born out of a figment or illusionary context, it was a seed that was sowed and matured after years of harassment, sexism, and discrimination towards women. After years of women being treated as inferior to and by men.
To enable equal opportunity, individuals need to be seen as equal, irrespective of gender. And as simple as that concept may sound, we still somehow struggle with it in the 21st century. Everywhere we look, women are the “lesser” beings. Hollywood, Bollywood, engineering, cooking, athletes, you name it. It’s abundantly clear, when The Huffington Post or The Guardian choose to make a symbol of a woman who succeeds in engineering or computer science, that we clearly have not made enough progress. Why is it that when a woman does well, it’s still newsworthy?
Feminism isn’t petty. It has various forms, definitions, and branches, if you will, as does every movement — some of which I don’t necessarily agree with, and some which I actively defy. In a world where so many opinions and experiences exist, perspectives will differ and they must. And while this may often lead to misunderstanding, conflict and even hate, it ultimately helps pave the way for better solutions.
Most, if not all, schools of feminism aim to empower women. They aim to give women a choice — a choice to live her life however she wills it, to have sex (gasp!) if she wants, to not have babies (even bigger gasp!) if that’s her choice, and to wear what she wants. But most of all, feminism aims to recognize women as individuals first and then as “women,” and not just as baby-making machines.
Women are no one’s right and they owe society nothing. They are a whole being, not a link or an association, and that is what feminism preaches – equality. That’s it. Not so complicated now, is it?
Pic credit: evaekablad (Used under a CC license)
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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