There was a time, when I was in my mid 20’s when I too
thought feminism was a dirty word. It was a Saturday night in lower Manhattan, and
I got into an argument with my friend over him buying me drinks. As we stepped
out of the bar into warmth of a New York summer night, he offered to take me
home and I politely declined making my way towards a stuffy subway.
A few other girlfriends joined me and as we were
giggling away I heard him mutter something including the word feminist. I don’t
quite remember what he said, but I remember feeling offended. How dare him call
me that! As we waited for the subway for what seemed like hours, I could not
get over the fact that I was just called a feminist.
It took nearly 10 years, but I did finally get to a point
where being called a feminist is a compliment. Makes me feel proud, and I think
I finally got something right. The thing is, because of the way feminism is
portrayed in mainstream culture, I’ve wasted a lot of my active youth years
trying to disassociate myself from this concept. And a lot of other young women
do too.
Perhaps it’s time we reinvent feminism. Or just clear its
name from all the negative connotations our patriarchal society has attached to
it. It’s also time we bring feminism home – and by home I mean making it a part
of our daily lives. Perhaps making
feminism practical can engage more young women.
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