Feminism: What is it, really?

Hello and welcome to another thought of mine. Today we will be discussing a topic that has grown quite popular since 2015. The whole world is now adamently speaking its mind about Feminism. But since the topic has been brought up, a lot of conflict and arguments have been aroused with it. I'm here, typing for you, what I think about this whole thing. Arguments and conflict included.

Now first off, you see the picture up top? That's the defnition of Feminism. I honestly don't see what isn't so clear about this. I get that equality isn't always justice. But we should advocate for equality as well as justice. Look at it this way. It is not Feminism that will allow a woman to be spared for a crime under the legal mandate while that same mandate will convict a man for that same crime. That's not Feminism. That is injustice. But sometimes the legal mandate doesn't work that well when it comes to the issues women face against the society we live in.

For example, many women don't feel safe to walk in the streets because they fear that, not only will they be harassed or maybe an attempted assault on them, but they also fear that should that happen, authorities will not help them or put very little effort into bringing justice for them. This happens a little too often. Not just authorities, but many members of society will find very pathetic excuses for these violent actions against women. Excuses that most often shame women.

Now what I think about this, is that yes, maybe some women should learn to dress more decently in public, but that doesn't justify any harassment or assault. Men should learn to be respectful of boundaries. It is not too late to raise the next generation of men to not stare at a woman inappropriately and to learn what it means to be an actual gentleman. But in order for this to work, the social mindset we have on feminism needs to change. That goes for every one, man and woman.

Another issue with the word "Feminist" is how people perceive it. Men usually perceive it as being more feminine and acting like a woman. Thus they dismiss the idea of being a feminist because they fear it will lead to the diminishing of their masculinity. That in fact is not the case. If a man is a feminist, that means he accepts a woman as his equal. So a husband who is a feminist believe that his wife doesn't belong in the kitchen and her only jobs are to raise his children, keep the house in check, and pleasing him. Allbeit they are important, but he also believes his wife has the right to have a career while doing these jobs. That she can establish herself in society however she chooses even if that could mean her being more successful than he is. A feminist man believes that a woman can do anything and be anything she wants to.

Women on the other hand perceive being a feminist incorrectly too. Some women think it is Feminism to advocate for the right to exposing her body and people should be okay with that. Ladies, you do not have to strip down to be sexy. Kim Kardashian doesn't understand that. When she posted that explicit selfie she returned the criticism towards it with "I have the right to be sexy." Yes, Kim. You do. And that goes for every woman. But being naked for the world to see is not sexy. Being confident in your own skin doesn't mean that you need to show everyone all of your skin. Being confident in your own skin doesn't always have to do with having a great figure. If you understand feminism, you would know that being sexy is not skin deep. It is what you have to offer to the world through your intelligence, your heart, and your guts. Being a feminist means that you can be sexy in that way, just as men can.

(Note: I'm not bashing Kim Kardashian in any way or anyone who believes that they have the right to do as they please with their bodies. You all have every right. My point is that getting naked is not the way to shed light on this situation.)

Issues in the workplace when it comes to feminism are also inherently present. Too often women don't get promoted to certain positions because they are viewed as a "man's job." Moreover, women, who work just as hard as their male coworkers in the same position as them, are being underpaid. Finally, women are almost always under constant scrutiny in their jobs and being judged on their work based on their gender. Feminism calls for women to be judged equal to men in the workplace. Women want to rise in their career because of their hard work and not because of their gender or because of anything superficial such as their looks. Women want to be capable of providing for their families, especially if they are single mothers; or even just to provide for themselves because they have the right to be financially secure and they want that finance to be given to them for the right reasons. So employers must judge their employees equally and for their productivity, efficiency, and honesty in the workplace.

So to sum it all up, here's what you should have grasped out of this:

1. Ladies, don't blame a couple of stares completely on men. If your chest is almost bare, it is almost instictual for them to stare. But, men, that is not an invitation. There is no right for any man to impede on a woman's boundaries because of what she is wearing.

2. Men, you being a feminist doesn't decrease you manhood, if not increases it. The women in your lives can do anything and be anything, so encourage them to go after their dreams and aspirations.

3. Ladies, being a feminist means embracing your sexiness yes, but through what really lasts and counts. Your brain, your heart, and your guts. That goes for men too, by the way.

4. Women can work just as hard as men and should be paid for their work quality and quantity and on the same terms as their male coworkers.

So people, this is a message to you, man and woman. You can do anything and be anything as long as your heart is in the right place and you are honest and hard-working. Most importantly, raise your children on this mindset. We need more people to think fairly rather than being sexist, so your children should be taught to be fair towards men and women alike.

Well, that's it for me on this topic. But if you have any questions for me please leave them on my social media links as (for some odd reason) my comments section on the website is no longer functional, but I am looking into that. Comments, questions, criticism and praise (hopefully) is all welcome with an open mind.

Thank you so much for reading and I will see you in the next topic! Hue Mann, over and out!! ;)

#AskHueMann