The Problem of the ‘Feminazis’
The Problem of the ‘Feminazis’
Feminism and feminists- two words that would offset some of us when we hear them. Some of us may plunge into thinking something on the likes of: “ Those ‘feminazis’ aren’t reacting to any real-world problems of women; they just want a lot of privileges”. Maybe in an attempt to remain safer and saner, many a times you may be able to notice a kind of disregard for the topic in discussion altogether. Whatever be the opinions of people, I am keen on looking into whether there is any reason to give credit to Feminism, while trying to analyze its importance in our societies.
Many questions arise. Questions ranging from, ‘What do women lack’, and ‘Aren’t they already a lot independent, educated, and privileged?’. Also speculations — Today, they can raise their voice and they even seem to be more powerful than men are. Are they demanding that men become their subordinates? As in, wash for them, cook for them and take care of the children?! The selfsame things women have been doing subserviently for men for decades. Or more?
The truth is women aren’t liberated even in liberation. While some pseudo- feminists make matters worse for the ideal feminists who are a part of this movement, the real struggles like a protest against patriarchy and the greater evils of the society takes a lot more courage for both men and women to address. And therefore, takes more courage for them to continue as feminists. There is enough name calling and abuse going on against feminism, that some women just want out from this cause. They don’t wanna be termed as a ‘feminazi’. So they conveniently get cut some slack if they just stay silent, or support the other side. Like women always have been, they are ready to ‘adjust’. They don’t dream big, they don’t want to be equal to men, they themselves believe that they are just unequal and undeserving of anything better than that.
Paradoxically, we know that there are men who lets us know that “not all men are dogs”, are taking a stand against feminism. I sure don’t think that that’s because they are not feminists, but because their ideas are clouded by the false image that feminism has. They perceive feminism to be man-hate and greed. But, these same men will support women’s education, career and societal elevation. They will stand against any injustice that women may face. Yet, they don’t realize that this is, in fact feminism. Indirectly, they are promoting subjugation of women. Subjugation in any form like having to pay dowry, getting dissed at work by a boss or coworker for being a woman, not being able to wear what she likes, to pursuing the non-girly hobby she has, not getting beaten by men at home, not getting labeled… In short, doing anything that is considered normal for men to do but it is not when women do it.
When movie tropes portray crazy and insensible women as the feminist, and the gentle, voiceless girl as the ideal woman, these ideas get reinforced. We forget that misandry and feminism are not the same thing. The other day, my male colleague states that women generally prefers the social life than men. Yet, he says he loves meeting up with his friends often than being inside the house. Instead of categorizing people as more extroverted or introverted, he decides to jump in and make generalizations.
What society needs is a realization of the real underlying issues behind general subversion of the truth, and more focus on the creating an atmosphere to address these issues. The aim of this short post is to only point out the defects in today’s image of feminism. Feminism is not hatred towards men, not is it asking for privileges. Anyone who says otherwise, needs a coaching. Feminism is simply a fight for equal rights, no matter how hard it is to wrap your head around it.
