Feminism is… for everyone
SUMUKHI SURESH, 29, STANDUP COMEDIAN, MUMBAI
Feminism. How we hate to use this word nowadays when it should be the most regular word with the most logical meaning. I feel sad when feminism isn’t understood for its simplicity. Even if it is misunderstood by some men and women, we should focus on its correct meaning and stick to it.
The more we digress, the more the number of people who will get confused and not want to accept being one. Once I had given an interview for a newspaper where the author had mentioned “Sumukhi is not really a feminist type”. I corrected him; I am a proud feminist and believe in equal rights for men and women. He responds “you know what I mean”. I insisted on the correction and the article then read “she believes in equal rights for men and women” rather than calling me a feminist. If a news bearer feels that “feminist” is a negative word then we are doomed because whatever movements are being mobilised towards this will be watered down because the author thinks “feminist” is a devil avatar.
Feminism should ideally be something that both men and women participate in. I have heard men saying “we don’t call ourselves mannists, do we?” As much as I appreciate condescending humour, men have to understand that this is a bigger deal for women than men because our lot has been oppressed for a long time. I may have had the advantage of not witnessing the disparity but there are women who have accepted this as a way of life. This, no man or woman can negate. So for now, let’s not think that there is no need for feminism because the people near you are doing fine. This hopefully is about the women who need it more than your near and dear ones.
Women speak about feminism with such passion but I notice that we are our own enemies. Be it our mothers who stop us from achieving things before we are married fearing societal stigma, or our aunts who badly need a hobby or a job rather than micromanaging the reputation of their nieces, or teachers who run to hide the sixth grade girl who might have had a blood stain on her skirt before the boys see it or your colleague who would question your character and pull you down if you are moving ahead at work.
If we could just swallow our instincts to sting and appreciate each other more, we will be a stronger community and the chances of us being bulldozed will reduce drastically. Let’s try to be each other’s supporters, if not friends; make sure that not only women but men are appreciated for being feminists to make feminism a regular term rather than one that causes a cringe.