So to all you guys and girls out there who consider FEMINISTS to be a bunch of man hating, bra burning lesbians who are just angry about everything and all those other stupid stereotypes: THIS RANT IS FOR YOU!
First off, the bra burning thing is JUST A LEGEND..... It is true, at a demonstration, bras, girdles and other women's clothing items were thrown in a garbage can, but there is no documented evidence of burning. For proof, check it out:
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/burnbra.asp
Anyway. Look, here's the thing. We are not just a bunch of stereotypes. Some of us love wearing make up, some of us won't even consider shaving. We are as varied as normal people, and plenty of us are not even lesbians, some feminists have kids, some husbands...
I am a feminist. I believe in gender equality and that no one should be judged for their sex or gender. I believe that no one should be told to get a certain job and to avoid other workplaces simply because of their sex, and I believe that laws should respect everyone, that there shouldn't be discrimination against one sex. Now, a lot has improved since the feminist movement began, and I am grateful for that. But I am not going to say that feminism is useless now, because it is still very important. Women are still being paid less in the workplace, and still have troubles in certain male dominated workplaces, and still are portrayed in a lot of ridiculous and unfair ways by the media, and this sickens me.
I AM A FEMINIST:
This does not mean I hate men or am a lesbian. In fact, I date guys. I might tell them I want to pay for myself sometimes, but I still date them. I don't get angry with them and want to punch them for opening the door for me, either. I want them to respect me for who I am if I date them, but is that really much to ask for? I don't consider someone worth dating if they try to make me change things about me that make me me, not because I hate men, but because this guy doesn't respect me. If a guy gives me grief about being a feminist, well, they're missing out.
This does not mean I don't shave. In fact, I'm practically an obsessive compulsive shaver. I can't handle being too hairy. I just can't. It's a mental thing, probably a result of some other thing, but still. I'm not hairy.
This does not mean that I burn/hate bras. In fact, I love bras. Bouncing around is no fun. It's uncomfortable, and bras keep the bouncing under control. Not to mention, some of them are so cute looking! XD (sorry if that note was TMI)
This does not mean that I don't wear make up or like fashion. In fact, I love looking for cool skirts and cute tops, and I have a blast messing around with eyeliner and mascara to emphasize my eyes.
This does not mean I am always angry or bitter because I "can't get a man." That's just bullshit. I'm actually a very happy person, most of the time.
This does not mean that I think it's a disgrace for a woman to be a wife, stay at home mom, mother in general, etc. etc. I think that that is for the woman to decide on her own. If being a housewife suits her, and makes her happy, that's what she should be. If she'd rather be, say an engineer or have some other career, that's what she should be. What Feminism means to me about careers or lack thereof is that women should be able to be whatever they want without suffering pressure or mistreatment by society.
This does mean I hate sexism and gender inequality. I do not think I should be judged by the fact that I have boobs and, um... You know. I hate that I am judged by how feminine or not I am, and I hate that these things can affect whether I will get a job or be paid as much as a man.
This does mean I hate the way women are exploited by the media. Can I PLEASE see some men in the cleaning commercials who are COMPETENT in the housekeeping world? Can I PLEASE stop seeing women as sex objects and either housewives or whores?
This does mean that on some level or another, I believe a woman's body is her own and that she has the right to decide if she wants to have children. Now, in my personal life, I am pro life based on my religious upbringing, but I know that not everyone has the same beliefs as me, and that I should not tell someone they cannot have an abortion simply because MY God tells me I shouldn't.
This does mean I hate rape, abuse, and other forms of violence against women. I believe that it is WRONG to mistreat someone in any way, and that we should fight domestic violence, mental, physical and sexual abuse, and rape and help train others in how to prevent it and what to do if it happens.
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