I think, therefore I write

Setting things right

I want to set certain things right. In my own terms. This is not a topic that’s unheard of or unwritten of. Yet, even the most civilized of the lot make the same mistake time and again and that pisses me off.

I am a feminist. And there comes the question, define feminism. Let me put it in a way that everyone would understand and hope (I’m an optimist) that people would get it.

The first line on Wiki’s page about it is: “Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women.” Do we see the word equal? Do we understand what it means? Then why is Feminism considered a taboo? Why are feminists being looked at as if they are aliens invading the planet and exclaimed at as “Ooh! You are a feminist!” with that sarcastic tinge in the tone?

I like it when a guy walking before me allows me to go forward as I am in a hurry because he doesn’t want to be a hindrance to another person irrespective of the gender. Not because I am a woman.

I like it when a guy gives a lady his seat in the bus not because she is a woman but because she is pregnant or carrying her baby in one arm and struggling to keep her feet planted.

I like it when a man stands up for a woman to protect her when she is helpless because she is also a human. Irrespective of gender, the helpless should be protected. Again not because of the gender but because that’s what a decent human being would and should do for another human being.

I like it when a man helps his wife in household chores because there is no work label associated with the gender. We eat irrespective of the gender right? Or do you not eat because you are a man? So why not do the dishes too?

I like it when a man refrains from making cheap gender based jokes because jokes should never be at the cost of someone’s feelings. It holds the same for jokes made on guys too.

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That is feminism for you. Feminism arose because the natural equality that should be present for any human being started getting skewed. If all of us had extended that courtesy of being sensible and unbiased, there would have been no need for feminism. Society and biased people are the reasons & root causes for feminism. When you see someone and judge them based on their gender or when you try to label a person based on gender, you create the unbalance and hence the need for feminism.If you don’t like feminism and terms alike, stop being skewed and biased.

So next time before you judge a feminist, rethink what she/he stands for. He/she stands for equality not for chauvinism of any gender. A feminist stands up to maintain that balance which the others chose to ignore. A feminist thinks about the human being and not about the gender. So I will proudly say again, I am a feminist! Are you?

Until later 🙂

11 Comments

  1. Sid

    I believe I am 🙂

    • Keirthana

      Thank you so much Sid! We need more like you 🙂

  2. Shailaja

    Quite possibly, one of the better posts on the need for Feminism I have read in a while, without the need to rant or feel superior about it. Trust me, some of the ones I have read can be rather extreme 🙂

    • Keirthana

      Thank you! Yes, I have seen people go overboard with the whole thing which in turn maybe the root cause for others to raise eyebrows at the mention of Feminism. It’s a vicious cycle.

  3. Nisha

    Basically there are some dirty fish in the pond. We hear cases where women took unnecessary advantage of a situation and a decent man got into trouble. Such cases make a few men question feminism. Since we can’t go around changing everyone’s thought process, it is important for us hold on to our ground.

    By the way, I absolutely hate it when a man opens a door for a woman. There is absolutely no equality in that! As feminists, we should sort out our priorities so that we don’t send out a wrong message.

    • Keirthana

      True Nisha! Those some people spoil it for the rest too.

      And absolutely hate it too. They say it is gentlemanly to do that. I would say, “No thanks, I have my hands”. Instead I would prefer them helping an elderly/differently abled person/someone whose hands are too full.

  4. Greenboochi

    Bang on post. Cant agree with you more, Keirthana! 🙂

    • Keirthana

      Thanks for reading GB 🙂

  5. Aathira

    Yes, I’m a feminist and proud to be one! And feminism does not mean going around bashing up all men in the human race. It is believing in yourself and also speaking up about what you stand up for. It is equality. Well said, K. From one feminist to another 🙂

  6. Ranjini

    I am a feminist too. I agree with the fact that people consider it to be bad. Regarding the latest Deepika-Vogue video, I had voiced my opinion on FB and a friend was strongly against my opinion. Yday, evening when he rang me up, he started with ‘Hey! Feminist Ranjini.’
    While we disagreement was regarding Deepika’s acting abilities, I have no idea how that got linked to feminism! How can saying ‘I like so and so lady’s acting’ be feminism?

    There is another part wrong with feminism too. Some of them who are for it. I have heard people say, ‘You don’t have to hold the door open for me. I am not weak.’ when a guy does that. This kind of statement too affects feminism adversely.

    To get this straight, people must first understand what the word means. People who are feminists and who aren’t. Until then, I don’t think feminism can achieve its purpose.

    Well written post and I agree with everything here.

    • Keirthana

      Very true! See, voicing opinions cannot be termed feminism, that is a right to both men and women. Thing is media outrages about everything and brands pick up such things for their marketing campaigns rather than treating them as causes to fight for. And hence all the misconception.

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