***Feminist***"Well behaved women seldom make history."
~~ Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
~~ Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Why is it, I wonder today, does this one word make so many people have so many different feelings? Some people feel anger, some pride, some nervousness. Some feel paranoia while others feel skeptical. Why do some people feel brave to call themselves a feminist, while others feel ashamed?
I love knowing I have the right to vote for whomever I choose, and that vote is not dictated to me by anybody -- man or woman.
I love knowing that a woman can hold a position of authority, same as anybody, and although that does not make her any better or worse than anyone else, it does give her an equal opportunity to lead.
I love knowing that I will earn equal pay for equal work. However, this right should be earned by equal efforts in studying and an equal playing field when applying for positions. There should not be special considerations given -- man or woman.
I love being a woman and knowing that I can carry a child. This is the most divine role given to me as woman and should be a celebrated aspect of feminism. It should never be used as a political tool or leverage on Capitol Hill, and it is neither a right nor a choice. It is a gift to be cherished. Being a mother is the very key to being a woman -- whether it is a mother by giving birth, or a mother by virtue of nurturing others -- motherhood by nature is feminism at its center.
I am a feminist.
I love knowing I have the right to vote for whomever I choose, and that vote is not dictated to me by anybody -- man or woman.
I love knowing that a woman can hold a position of authority, same as anybody, and although that does not make her any better or worse than anyone else, it does give her an equal opportunity to lead.
I love knowing that I will earn equal pay for equal work. However, this right should be earned by equal efforts in studying and an equal playing field when applying for positions. There should not be special considerations given -- man or woman.
I love being a woman and knowing that I can carry a child. This is the most divine role given to me as woman and should be a celebrated aspect of feminism. It should never be used as a political tool or leverage on Capitol Hill, and it is neither a right nor a choice. It is a gift to be cherished. Being a mother is the very key to being a woman -- whether it is a mother by giving birth, or a mother by virtue of nurturing others -- motherhood by nature is feminism at its center.
I love knowing that my son can rely on me to provide for him if it is ever necessary. He knows I am independent. He has come with me to vote, has watched me buy tires for the car, and knows I can do "man" stuff. At the same time, he has also seen me ask for help when I need it.
Being a feminist is not about the refusal to acknowledge a man's role, and only praising the woman's. No, not at all. Being a feminist, to me, means celebrating and understanding that there can be equality in spite of our differences. There is no such thing as an adult version of the elementary "we're better than you" game. After all, life isn't a game. And as adults, who raise our children, it is time to realize that we're only better together if given equal chances after giving equal effort.
Being a feminist is not about the refusal to acknowledge a man's role, and only praising the woman's. No, not at all. Being a feminist, to me, means celebrating and understanding that there can be equality in spite of our differences. There is no such thing as an adult version of the elementary "we're better than you" game. After all, life isn't a game. And as adults, who raise our children, it is time to realize that we're only better together if given equal chances after giving equal effort.
I am a feminist.
And I am not ashamed of it.
And I am not ashamed of it.
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