Photo Credit: Ms. Commemorative Poster: This Is What Democracy Looks Like!
“Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.” – Marie Shear
The concept is not up for debate. It is still needed and is still as important today as it was in the past.
Why bring this up when we have reached the White House? Why question it when for the first time ever we have a female vice president and more women in powerful positions? Precisely that, because the conversation isn’t over. We can’t just say we have won and give up the moniker.
With great advancements, we have also witnessed that we still live in a hyper-toxic culture. The presidency of Donald Trump attested to it. Throughout his tenure, he insulted the entire female press corps, made references to women belonging in the home fighting with their dishwasher and constantly referred to women based only on appearance. He viciously attacked and insulted those who didn’t fit his perceived value of beauty. He’s been accused of rape, assault and openly brags about handling women any way he sees fit. Those accusations were made before he was elected.
Furthermore, we watched in horror the silencing of female victims from powerful men in the Epstein scandal. Some of those women will never know justice. Neither will most of the victims of Weinstein.
Those are the ones we know of.
What about all the instances we don’t hear about?
We are still subject to “debates” about what victim means. What was she wearing? Did that somehow lead to sexual violence? She has to be beyond reproach when accusing any powerful man. Of course no one is saying it shouldn’t be investigated thoroughly as is fair practice. However, many credible women have come forward and didn’t get justice. Instead they were treated disrespectfully, turned into jokes and made examples of what happens if they choose not to stay silent.
I don’t need to remind anyone of the two men, both credibly accused of sexual harassment and in one case violence, enjoy seats on the Supreme Court.
There is an antiquated notion many have about feminism that it’s for angry man-hating women. That’s laughable and it’s a stereotype. It has been used for decades to pit women against each other. According to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.
We do have internalized misogyny and we are all guilty of it from time to time.
Who can blame us? We are in a constant fight. We are forced into dependency through unfair and discriminatory paychecks, limited childcare options, maternity leave matters and the stigma attached to aging.
Some say feminism isn’t inclusive enough, some say it’s gone too far. We don’t know how to counter these beliefs, because we don’t talk about it enough to address them. It is still taboo to discuss it seriously and those that do are often labeled as trouble makers for stirring the pot.
This is it isn’t just about women. It is standing up for men with issues. A battle against the sexualization of young girls, a fight for people of color, for LGBT+ people and other minorities, feminism is a fight for all.
*Image via Wikimedia Commons
The oppressors are always aware of what they are doing to the oppressed. Feigning ignorance is not even a thinly veiled excuse.
With one word a woman can be ostracized for being “that girl.” She can be deemed the trouble maker demanding rights. As with all oppressors, it’s a technique used to devalue and silence.
It’s a struggle for the most enlightened of people.
Women know intrinsically our value is often based on physical appearance.
The struggle then becomes about trivial issues.
Many feminist authors have hypothesized that the constant tussle of pleasing the male gaze often leads to no time for true self-reflection. We are made to believe we exist to appease men. To smile more, to do anything to make them comfortable. It still happens today. It happens all the time.
You have to look flawless without appearing to care. But you care what men think and what other women think. This leads to another battle with yourself, you have to then question why you are so consumed with this. It’s a brutal circle of self-doubt, hate and leaves you feeling demoralized.
These issues are so deeply entrenched in women’s lives that without addressing them we won’t be able to continue these advancements.
Generationally speaking, girls today will grow up with a strong female vice president. Given that backdrop, we should be able to discuss her path.
"I was raised by a mother who said to me all the time, 'Kamala, you may be the first to do many things — make sure you're not the last.” Kamala Harris.
It’s about persistence. It’s about lifting up other women.
This is something we can achieve as we have come so far from where we were a few short years ago.
Feminism is not a relic of the past. It’s now. It’s raw and it’s anything but over.
“I believe the rights of women and girls is the unfinished business of the 21st Century.” ~ Hillary Rodham Clinton.