Wikipedia defines feminism as the range of socio-political movements, change in ideologies that aim at establishing equality of the sexes at social, political, personal levels. (snoring already..? ) If you look up feminism on the Internet, you may get a variety of answers that all focus on how women should be given more opportunities to excel academically, professionally, should be given the right to express themselves the way they want and so on. Be it roaming late at night wearing short clothes or not forced to sacrifice her career and give up her dreams to marry off some fella.
Well this is not what I feel feminism stands for. Feminism is about Equality, not Superiority. Feminism is not about expecting men to do things for you, it's about taking things under control. Feminism is not about who has more testosterone, its about who is more rational and impartial.
Often, we find "woke" female warriors marching on the path of righteousness with a belief that their hollow cries, cunning retorts on social media platforms, vain online petitions and peaceful protests will bring about about much needed reforms in the society and do good to others, especially the suppressed women of the society.
What they don't realize is that feminism is not about undermining the potential of the other sexes. It is not about walking on the pathway of men and doing what they do. It is about having the freedom to do whatever you want. If you feel like marrying a rich guy and being a house-maker, that should be your choice and no one else's. If you want to start your own business, no one should have a problem with that.
But that is not where the fight for feminism ends. The need for women to rise above the petty societal norms that brazenly expects them to be submissive, tolerant and sacrificing all the freaking time goes beyond the lines of familial and cultural customs.
What is needed is a global psychological transformation changing our hard wired mindsets that not only strives to treat women equally but also starts seeing it as a normal course of event. One should not feel right or proud just because they are treating a women right, just like they don't feel any prouder or righter when they treat someone from the same sex right.
But let's not forget the dark side. And yes, unfortunately, there is one. We come across many established luminaries exploiting the opportunities given to them, using others for their vested interest, misusing their power in the name of feminism and liberation. This not only blemishes what true feminism stands for but renders the hard earned fruits of others pointless. It wastes the efforts made by the handful of women who actually want to see the world become a better place for other women.
Is that what the trailblazers of this exemplary social revolution had in mind? To be unjust and insensitive just like our perpetrators? To seek revenge? Is that what we are standing for? Well, I am sorry to burst your pink bubble but we are not the The Avengers. And this is surely not fiction.
So, the next time you are about to blindly post something on your timeline just to get that coveted "reach", ask yourself, what are your thoughts and intentions? Is this really important? Does this send out the right message? Am I helping the right people the right way? Because its not about getting lost in the chaos and blabber. It's about standing out, supporting the honorable cause and making your voice heard loud and clear. Be a Feminist, not a Pseudo Feminist.
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