I might understand equality and feminism but -
What
does it mean when the best of friends talk about how someone is really lucky if
they "get" you?
About how some imaginary guy is really lucky because you're a virgin?
How do I tell them that a woman is equal to a man - and that his sexual history is as equally relevant or irrelevant as hers?
How do I tell them that a woman isn't a fucking trophy for you?
How do I tell them that her selectivity or lack thereof does not impact her humanity or even her character?
About how some imaginary guy is really lucky because you're a virgin?
How do I tell them that a woman is equal to a man - and that his sexual history is as equally relevant or irrelevant as hers?
How do I tell them that a woman isn't a fucking trophy for you?
How do I tell them that her selectivity or lack thereof does not impact her humanity or even her character?
What
does it mean when your childhood friends talk about how you're a spring chicken
or a lemon in the market?
Something that needs to be sold before it's too late,
It's all with good intent, or so they say.
Something that needs to be sold before it's too late,
It's all with good intent, or so they say.
How
do I tell them that a woman's youth or beauty isn't what makes her valuable?
Just like how a man's strength or wealth isn't what he should be evaluated on?
How do I tell them that a "marriage" isn't "everything"?
Just like how a man's strength or wealth isn't what he should be evaluated on?
How do I tell them that a "marriage" isn't "everything"?
What
do you tell them when they shame another woman for being a gold digger with no
brains,
They also disparagingly question why I am attracted to men based on something that is "external" to them, like their "intelligence",
I ask them, "When will you stop shaming women for their choices?
She did what she thought was best for her - because that's how society has taught her.
I will desire what is best for me - because that's what feminism taught me,
When you're shaming both of us - clearly, no woman will ever win in your eyes."
They also disparagingly question why I am attracted to men based on something that is "external" to them, like their "intelligence",
I ask them, "When will you stop shaming women for their choices?
She did what she thought was best for her - because that's how society has taught her.
I will desire what is best for me - because that's what feminism taught me,
When you're shaming both of us - clearly, no woman will ever win in your eyes."
What
do you say when someone you've grown up with reacts negatively towards women
based on their sexual orientation or sexual history?
How do I tell her that none of it matters?
How do I tell her that the only thing that matters is if people stand by you when you need them most?
Especially your sisters because they've suffered the most?
How do I tell her that none of it matters?
How do I tell her that the only thing that matters is if people stand by you when you need them most?
Especially your sisters because they've suffered the most?
What
do you tell someone you've grown up with - when she fears seeking permission
from her husband's family to step out to have fun?
How do I tell them that a woman's liberty isn't something that should ever be traded to get anything?
How do I tell them that society makes women accept such social control and makes them think that it's the best way to sustain a family?
She traded her freedom for love, that's what she did.
I'm helpless in anger because she does not want to be helped.
How do I tell them that a woman's liberty isn't something that should ever be traded to get anything?
How do I tell them that society makes women accept such social control and makes them think that it's the best way to sustain a family?
She traded her freedom for love, that's what she did.
I'm helpless in anger because she does not want to be helped.
What
do you tell your wonderful, intelligent colleagues when they come up with a
workplace play that misrepresents feminism in many ways?
In a poem about feminism, lines like: "From the dusky looks to the golden smile - crazy, sexy!"
Like as if we haven't been sexualised and objectified enough,
"Mothers, sisters, daughters, women...."
Like as if the corporate system doesn't already look at us as liabilities because we are mothers and wives,
Like as if we're free from expectations like "even if you're a career woman, you're also a daughter, wife and mother".
In a poem about feminism, lines like: "From the dusky looks to the golden smile - crazy, sexy!"
Like as if we haven't been sexualised and objectified enough,
"Mothers, sisters, daughters, women...."
Like as if the corporate system doesn't already look at us as liabilities because we are mothers and wives,
Like as if we're free from expectations like "even if you're a career woman, you're also a daughter, wife and mother".
What
do you do when these are the people you loved, cherished and adored?
What do you do when you suddenly feel like you're an outsider because of all
this?
Because nobody understands you at all and your lone voice is going to be disregarded as a frivolous fascination for the unfamiliar,
Or something I call as feminism.
Because nobody understands you at all and your lone voice is going to be disregarded as a frivolous fascination for the unfamiliar,
Or something I call as feminism.
A
feminism 101 lecture is the last thing they want to hear.
They've all grown tired of the lecture,
When, in fact, they've fallen asleep mid-way,
They've all grown tired of the story.
When they haven't even heard it fully,
Their patience is wearing thin,
But wait, it didn't exist when I started speaking,
They've all grown tired of the lecture,
When, in fact, they've fallen asleep mid-way,
They've all grown tired of the story.
When they haven't even heard it fully,
Their patience is wearing thin,
But wait, it didn't exist when I started speaking,
Because
somebody told them that feminism was a monster,
They all made up their minds based on media campaigns,
Considering how they hadn't even actually met a real one,
Makes this an arduous, uphill task even for the Fem101 champions.
They all made up their minds based on media campaigns,
Considering how they hadn't even actually met a real one,
Makes this an arduous, uphill task even for the Fem101 champions.
I'm
tired of being described as: "cynical", "harsh" or
"not fun anymore" for the things I say,
I really don't have the time or patience to explain all of it away,
Because, honestly, there's too many of you,
I really don't think it's my job to be fun for you,
Friendship isn't always about levity,
I hope you'd realise that you're going wrong somewhere,
I really don't have the time or patience to explain all of it away,
Because, honestly, there's too many of you,
I really don't think it's my job to be fun for you,
Friendship isn't always about levity,
I hope you'd realise that you're going wrong somewhere,
Especially, if you genuinely believe in equality.
I
hope you'd do what is right and change what is in your hands,
If you really feel strongly about making ours a better place,
You'd stop talking, read and at least try to acknowledge my stand.
If you really feel strongly about making ours a better place,
You'd stop talking, read and at least try to acknowledge my stand.
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