Yes, Feminism

By Melissa Mazlan

 

I don the feminist hat and am not afraid to loudly proclaim my support for feminism. Some people shy away from the term, claiming they’re not feminists, but then say they’re all for gender equality.

 

News flash: feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitations, and oppression.

 

In short, gender equality.

 

Bell Hooks’ definition, used above, of the feminist movement is succinct and easy to comprehend for those still suspicious or unaware of the movement. Being a feminist doesn’t mean murdering all men and flying flags emblazoned with a “down with men” logo. It just means advocating the rights and equality of women so they have rights equal to men.

 

Yes, it is as simple as that. Feminism is a commitment to achieving the equality of the sexes. The movement is not exclusive to women: men, while benefiting from being the dominant sex, also have a stake in overcoming the restrictive roles that deprive them of full humanity.

 

So why is feminism so difficult for people to adopt? Why do people not understand why feminism is necessary for equality of the sexes?

 

Here are a few reasons why feminism helps everyone.

 

Victim-blaming still exists when people talk about rape. No one says the rapist should have controlled himself. No one says the rapist shouldn’t have targeted the victim. In fact, the rapist hardly appears in the picture. The victim is the one people point fingers at, with retorts such as “she shouldn’t have worn that skirt”, “she shouldn’t have walked home alone at night”, “she probably had too much of a good time at a party and was drunk”, and worst of all, “she was asking for it”.

 

If we had different conversations about rape, sexual harassment, or abuse, and re-establish the roles that the different sexes have to play, the world could be a much safer place for all. The solution is simple enough and clear as day, but its execution would be complex as it would require dealing with those who do not understand that women are human beings too.

 

If feminism, the commitment to ending sexism was a universal thought, rape victims wouldn’t hesitate to report the rape out of fear that they would be accused of wanting attention. Feminism would ensure the victims are treated like the human beings that they are.

 

Feminism, when practised in the workplace, means women will not be subject to sexism. Gender inequalities are intrinsic to the capitalist system, which makes vast profits off women's unpaid labour in the home and underpaid labour in the workforce. Like racism, homophobia and other forms of bigotry, sexism divides the working class and thereby allows the capitalists to make super-profits, hence leaving women in an unjust predicament. Women should be given the same job opportunities as men, as well as the same pay given to a man for the same job done.

 

Feminism isn’t just for women, it benefits men too.  The movement strives for equality, therefore men should not be subject to fulfilling the macho man of the house role. When men deviate from societal norms that dictate how a man should act, men get punished and belittled.

 

Feminists don’t think so. Men shouldn’t be expected to live up to an unrealistic ideal and bullied or ignored for being different. Men too should have the freedom to explore life beyond the rigid boundaries of traditional masculinity and choose for themselves what aligns with their own values.

 

This means men don’t have to be afraid to cry, laugh, dance, and love.  Those are traits of a human being, and both men and women are human.

 

This is why feminism is for everyone.