Some of you may have read the recent I Am A Female And I Am So Over Feminists that’s circling around social media. I caved and read it. And, while there are a million-and-a-half responses I want to say—like Feminism fucking gave you the freedom to post your own article and not need to use a male pseudonym—I will refrain.
Instead, I give you direct quotes with my direct thoughts:
“I believe that I am a strong woman, but I also believe in a strong man.”
Good. I’m glad you understand the most basic principle of Feminism—we are not anti-man; we are pro gender equality.
“First of all this is the 21st century. Women have never been more respected.”
You got that right! Plot twist: That doesn’t mean we’re respected equally. Just because we have more respect than we did a century ago doesn’t mean it’s equal or, dare I say, enough respect.
Like—I have more shoes in my closet than I did a year ago, but do I really have enough?
“Feminists claim that this is a sign of disrespect, yet when a man offers to pick up the check or help fix a flat tire (aka being a gentleman), they become offended. It seems like a bit of a double standard to me. There is a distinct divide between both the mental and physical makeup of a male and female body.”
Throwing this in here for shits and giggles because I can’t help but critique the non sequitur “logic” of this argument.
On a more serious note, you’re hanging out with the wrong Feminists. I have never met anyone offended by offering to cover the check. I’ve had men AND women offer to (and indeed did) cover the check. Why? Because I’m not a jerk and some people’s love language is giving.
“If we think about it, women branching out into the workforce is still relatively new in terms of history.”
Well, that’s just the way things are is not an acceptable reason for progress to take longer, for inequality to be overlooked. Fuck that. I will accept lower earnings than my male (or female) counterpart if I have a decade less experience.
But…because my great-grandmothers didn’t work or wears trousers, I deserve less money? Because you have to wrap your mind around the fact that there are vaginas walking around your office now? Is that what they call trickle-down economics?
“But that doesn’t mean that I feel the need to put down the opposite gender for every problem I endure.”
That. Is. Not. Feminism.
To recap—because I’m terribly sorry this is longer than one hundred-ish words:
Feminism isn’t anti-man.
It isn’t jealousy.
It isn’t I-want-what-man-has-because-man-has-it.
It is not a rule for who can pay for fucking dinner.
It is not what this article says it is.
Feminism is the belief that all people deserve the same legal, professional, and political treatment, regardless of their gender.
Mary's One Hundred 