I am aware that my story may appear to be cliché, or even a little bit morally outdated to some. But it is because of my story that I am who I am. This is exactly the point that I want to make. We have each been shaped and molded by those around us; it is the way of the world.
My life and my character have been shaped by the guidance of the women in my life. I developed surrounded by women of strong moral competence. In my upbringing, I was constantly cared for and counseled by women who, through lives full of hardship, strength and independence have become women of boundless character.
We each know these women. They do not choose to become subject to their difficulties and circumstances, but rather are made strong in spite of them. These women are up for any challenge, because they know their strength and their worth.
They know that they are equal to any task, and because of that, they willingly rise to meet every challenge that comes their way. These women have influenced all of us, and an absence of that influence would not go unnoticed.
Because of these women, I reclaim feminism.
My life and my character have been shaped by the guidance of the women in my life. I developed surrounded by women of strong moral competence. In my upbringing, I was constantly cared for and counseled by women who, through lives full of hardship, strength and independence have become women of boundless character.
We each know these women. They do not choose to become subject to their difficulties and circumstances, but rather are made strong in spite of them. These women are up for any challenge, because they know their strength and their worth.
They know that they are equal to any task, and because of that, they willingly rise to meet every challenge that comes their way. These women have influenced all of us, and an absence of that influence would not go unnoticed.
Because of these women, I reclaim feminism.
Isn’t this all starting to sound a bit radical?
I definitely think so! We live in a society that tells us that admiring a woman for being incredible at something that comes naturally to her as a woman, is intolerant or narrow-minded. A society that tells us that in order to value women, we must undervalue men. One recognized feminist author has written that:
"To secure a world of female values and female freedom…the ratio of men to women must be radically reduced so that men approximate only ten percent of the total population.”
In great contrast, I stand by the feminist definition that states that:
“…[W]e should acknowledge and celebrate the differences between men and women in order to bring equality to those feminine traits that are at present undervalued.”
"To secure a world of female values and female freedom…the ratio of men to women must be radically reduced so that men approximate only ten percent of the total population.”
In great contrast, I stand by the feminist definition that states that:
“…[W]e should acknowledge and celebrate the differences between men and women in order to bring equality to those feminine traits that are at present undervalued.”
Equality
This is the type of equality that I fight for. Equality that states that the distinct attributes and characteristics of women should be as highly valued as those of men. This is the feminism that I am reclaiming. Because sameness, standardization and uniformity do not characterize beauty.
I am reclaiming feminism because to be different is to be beautiful. Variety is the spice of life.
I am reclaiming feminism because glorifying and empowering women does not include anything about becoming like a man.
I am reclaiming feminism because I value the differences in the people around me. I don’t want anyone to be identical to me, and I don’t want to be identical to anyone else.
I am reclaiming feminism because I possess a sense of authority in my unique abilities as a woman.
I am reclaiming feminism because I will not allow society to tell me that in order to be valued, enabled and impactful, that I must imitate something or someone else entirely different from who I am.
I am reclaiming feminism because rather than redefining me, I am redefining society, by demanding that it values me for who I am, not who it thinks I should be.
Equal, by definition, does not mean same in assets or in nature, but in capability and value, rank or quality.
There absolutely should be equality among the sexes, equality in value and importance. That means that I am as equally valued for doing what a woman does, as a man is for doing what a man does - and all that each of those roles independently includes.
This type of equality will not result from a factory-line type production of humans designed to be identical, but rather from giving power and significance to the differences among us.
There is beauty in diversity, my friends.
I am reclaiming feminism because to be different is to be beautiful. Variety is the spice of life.
I am reclaiming feminism because glorifying and empowering women does not include anything about becoming like a man.
I am reclaiming feminism because I value the differences in the people around me. I don’t want anyone to be identical to me, and I don’t want to be identical to anyone else.
I am reclaiming feminism because I possess a sense of authority in my unique abilities as a woman.
I am reclaiming feminism because I will not allow society to tell me that in order to be valued, enabled and impactful, that I must imitate something or someone else entirely different from who I am.
I am reclaiming feminism because rather than redefining me, I am redefining society, by demanding that it values me for who I am, not who it thinks I should be.
Equal, by definition, does not mean same in assets or in nature, but in capability and value, rank or quality.
There absolutely should be equality among the sexes, equality in value and importance. That means that I am as equally valued for doing what a woman does, as a man is for doing what a man does - and all that each of those roles independently includes.
This type of equality will not result from a factory-line type production of humans designed to be identical, but rather from giving power and significance to the differences among us.
There is beauty in diversity, my friends.
Domino
Each of us has the power to influence what society values. I’m going to say that again, let it sink in… each of us has the power to influence what society values. You can start a domino effect. You can change the norm. This is our responsibility.
We must have courage in order to reclaim feminism, because it is not a popular opinion to see men and woman as being different but equal. Don’t just speak up about the equality of women, but men, children and families too. Each of these elements of society is necessary – playing their own different, but vital roles.
We must have courage in order to reclaim feminism, because it is not a popular opinion to see men and woman as being different but equal. Don’t just speak up about the equality of women, but men, children and families too. Each of these elements of society is necessary – playing their own different, but vital roles.
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