“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”– Gloria Steinem
‘Feminist’ has almost become a cuss word these days. People are scared to be called a feminist. Whereas, we belong to the generation where we used to look up to Feminist writers like Simone de Beauvoir, Alice Walker, Germaine Greer, Nawal El Sadawi, Ismat Chugtai, and Urvashi Butalia to name a few. I did my M.Phil in Women’s Studies and was fortunate to have a few famous feminists like Jasodhara Bagchi, Malini Bhattacharya, Shibaji Bandopadhyay, Nabaneeta Dev Sen and Marie Roy (mother of Arundhati Roy)as my teachers. I have always felt proud of my feminist orientation.
However, these days, I am often ridiculed by many for my feminist thoughts. I have been trolled for writing feminist posts in this blog. There was a time when I used to write posts under the category Feminist Monday in this blog, but lately, I stopped. The worst experience happened recently. I met a ‘top’ blogger, who said that she is upset with a particular women’s magazine because she finds their content too feminist. I wanted to clarify and asked if she meant the content was too misandrous. She said that according to her misandry and feminism are the same.
She then went on to say that how much she loves her husband and family and clearly said that feminist women are those who do not love their husbands and are too career-minded and often neglect their kids and family. It goes without saying that I blocked her the moment I came back home.
I often feel like screaming at the top of my voice that please stop confusing misandry with feminism. The Oxford definition of misandry is “dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men (i.e. the male sex)” While the Oxford definition of misogyny is “dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women“. Therefore you can see that the definition is exactly the same. Whereas, if you look at the Oxford definition for feminism you will read “The advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.”
Therefore, to all the morons out there please stop shaming the Feminists for their values, instead brush up your knowledge and stop confusing misandry with feminism. While misandry is more of blind male-bashing feminism is more about equality. We should be grateful to all the feminists for whom today we have the right to vote, right to earn, right to abortion, right to remarry and not get burnt alive as a sati, right to education and even the right to travel alone. Instead of ridiculing them be grateful. And before I sign off let me utter the universal truth once again ” a man can be a feminist and a woman can be a misogynist.”
Happy Women’s Day..and read my earlier post to know why Women’s day is celebrated.
‘I’m Writing Bravely for the Write Tribe Festival of Words – March 2019’
Prompt: “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.” – Gloria Steinem
Trina Looks Back 
A truly apt and timely post about perspectives, Balaka. I totally agree with you.
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Haha.. The morons out there :D. True, I also see women who say they are feminists fighting for equal rights for themselves but yet questioning the need to spend money on educating a girl in engineering. Somehow, that really got me.
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I just hope that this article is read by everybody. I hate this new found philosphy of Feminism
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I loved your post, so true feminism vs misandry
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Absolutely, Tina. I agree with you—Feminism has come to mean a dirty word today and many misconstrue feminists for male bashers, as you rightly say. The question of gender equality was a contentious issue back in the days when feminism first appeared and in spite of all the debates and discussions after all these years, we are still fighting the system, still fighting for equal rights, still trying to smash the glass ceiling and still trying to make our voices heard amid the din of the dissenters! That last line of your post is also spot on!
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Nice post. Agreed
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I wish you had not stopped writing the Feminist Monday, Balaka. At least it would have made “morons” hide their face in shame.
Feminism is not a colorful candy that one can lick sitting on a cushioned sofa. Its an attitude germinating from the gains of gender equality. One need not be highly educated to understand the concept. All one needs is cultured mind and be respectful towards all human beings, irrespective of gender.
Before I leave, here is wishing you a very happy Women’s day, Balaka. Power to your thoughts and to your pen!
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Clap,clap , clap , clap! This is a post that screams to be shared!
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Agree with you.
There’s confusion about these terms. Nice that you have shared the meaning of feminism too and that a man can be a feminist too.
Happy Women’s Day.
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I agree. We live in the times of misogyny and intolerance where many will not accept others’ views. High time for all of us to recognize the ills doled out to women by an ego ridden patriarchal society.
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I totally agree with you.
I also think that a major problem we real feminists are facing is that some women who I would like to refer to the as extremists have decided to cross the line by seeking for superiority over the male sex.
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