This is Feminism

I didn’t post anything yesterday for Blog Against Sexism Day, mainly due to the fact that I was feeling uninspired and couldn’t think of anything to write about. Besides, most of what I post about here is about sexism anyway.

 Laura from I’m Not A Feminist, But sums up rather well the impact feminism has had on her personally:

“Although the feminist gaze can bring a lot of grief as you begin to see the reality of the world around you and realise that we still have a long, long way to go towards achieving equality, it is also truly empowering. Never before in my life have I been happy and proud to be a woman, and never have I felt so confident in my own skin and with who I am. I hope that I can share what I have learnt and am continuing to learn with other women so that they too can feel as wonderful as I do now and join us in the fight for respect and equality.”

Stating that you are a feminist truly is empowering. The moment that you stop shying away from the term amidst fears of its negative connotations, a huge burden feels as though it has been lifted from your shoulders. I’ve always felt feminist, but up until about four years ago I would never claimed to have been one. But, of course, with that burden being lifted from you, your eyes are then opened to the disgusting truth about the place of the female in the modern world.

I’ve been told “Why do you bother getting angry about it? There’s nothing you can do and you only end up upsetting yourself”. But to those comments I say “NO” - there is something I can do about it. I can be vocal, I can confront people with the truth, I can prove that saying “that’s just the way it is” and shrugging your shoulders is utter bullshit, I can say louldy and proudly that “I am a feminist!” and refuse to stereotyped or belittled or offended for simply stating the truth.

And everytime I hear someone say “You’re right. I never looked at it that way before”, I feel and I hope and I wish for change.