The F word ..

This word had almost become a bad word... Something that's absolutely horrible and we should just shut up our dirty mouths about it.

Now, I admit I have grown a lot. The word "feminism"  didn't mean much to me even in high school. The first time I really came to think of it critically, however was in 6th form when we were going through perspectives in Sociology class. We eventually got to the Marxist perspective on feminism. I recall that Marxists were saying that women have an important singular role in society - to basically ensure the continuation of production through ensuring their working class husbands were kept content. The Marxist Feminist blamed the capitalist system for the second-class rating of women, and explicitly explained how women were exploited under this system.

Their roles, even when just confined to the home, were huge and perhaps contributed to the success of the capitalist system. As I read those words from that very large Sociology text book we used (the famous Haralambos and Holbotn), I thought of my mother and her work in the home ( ... and also at work). She had to prepare all three meals for us; wash and iron our clothing; get us ready for school (and daddy ready for work); she helped with homework; ensured our needs were being met; then she'd have to listen to how everybody's day went and provided solace where necessary; then she had to also take care of herself somehow, and also be on point at work. 

Even when just confined to domestic activities, the woman's role is SUBSTANTIVE. (Now, please all the gender-positive, gender fluid, well-learnt folks among us - I am simply referring to society's ascribed roles to women) 

Think of a woman you hold in high esteem, someone you look up to, someone you admire, and perhaps come into contact with fairly regularly. Can you think of a time you have taken her for granted? I'm sure we can all think of at least one time (we may not be proud of it, but it happened). Now, what then about society's dismissal of women and the roles they play which allow society to function? I mean surely we cannot be blamed for a few lapses in gratitude, but how then can we explain this sort of widespread misogyny (another word it took me a while to open my mind to - read about that  HERE) ? It must be something systemic at this point. It must be in our interactions with other variables in society that we all slowly come to think of the work of women as something "regular", "expected", and things "she's supposed to do". 

The old adage - "you're never too old to learn" - is cliche` but true. I would have dismissed feminism  as a "thing" for lesbians who hated men and wanted to blatantly make this hate known. But, just like Christianity (and certainly other religions), you always have a few radicals or extremists who may taint or overshadow the image of the overall movement. So, it took me some time to get to what feminism  was about, or perhaps this is merely how I chose to represent my feminism. 

Focus on the highlighted section...

So then, feminism is much more than just women being equal to men. Some people would ask why we have to focus on women's rights and why gender equality, equal pay, equal access to opportunities and why a concept of "breaking through the glass ceiling" even exists. Generally, these people are not realising their own biases based on the systemic nature of the misogyny pervading societies today. We don't even realise that simple things like women receiving just three months maternity leave is not entirely enough; that some of the unwritten (and some written) rules of the workplace sometimes forces a woman to have to choose between a child or her career, or a career or a committed relationship. 

Feminism then is fundamentally about equity, in all spheres of womanhood among all women and among all people. We cannot speak of  feminism if it excludes persons who identify as Transgender, gender non-conforming, gender-queer or any other non-binary or gender expansive categories. It has to be an inclusive wave of panty-pledging (or ... underwear-pledging, rather) love. Feminism, therefore is not about saying we hate men or that men are evil. It is about acknowledging and actively deconstructing the larger systems in society that reinforce misogyny, underplaying the role and importance of women - in all their forms.

This amazing quote popularised by Gloria Steinem, speaks to a lot of our discourse about women - how women are always spoken about or referred to ... in relation to men. Women, in any role (outside of those ascribed by society) are compared to their male counterparts, thus the appreciation for their own labour and contribution is only based on whether its as good as, or comparable to a male's. 

... and therefore, taking all of this into account feminism is not just a "thing" for women to support. (I can hear those jaws dropping) But alas, anyone who believes in true equity and equal access to opportunities would understand (and may I even say) support feminism. I could go into a longer discussion about WHY feminism is important/necessary but any Google search including "inequalities" and "women" will give you quite enough information.

Now put those feminist hands up and let's fight some patriarchy!

Photo courtesy of  NotSorryFeminism.com