THE F WORD
Once at an academic seminar, as a part of the closing speech, the girls were advised not to gather too many certificates and degrees, because we were going to get married. I waited to hear a similar admonition to the boys. I am still waiting.
Yesterday was International Women’s Day, a day that usually has me excited because… women! There was also a lot more feminism in the air, which as expected made a number of people uncomfortable.
It is my utmost desire that you were not that person asking shameful questions like ‘What about International Men’s day?’ or ‘How many Women’s Day are there sef‘? These are very low-yield, 2/10 questions and I do not recommend.
Then there were those asking, ‘What exactly does feminism mean?’, as if they had just been awoken from a century-old sleep.
I will not be explaining what feminism is, because if you don’t know by now, it’s just plain mental laziness and the world needs you to do better.
Instead, I will address some frequently asked questions about this word a number of people definitely do not enjoy hearing. Someone once sat me down to tell me he sensed I was a feminist, and that if I was, then I wasn’t a real born-again Christian.
Why are feminists so angry?
Anger is only a legitimate response to the oppression we’ve been subjected to for millennia.
1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. In India, a women is raped every 20 minutes. There are places in the world where women are not allowed to go to school, not allowed to drive: because they are female.
So you see dear, that women have every reason to be angry. I think the real question is why aren’t you?
One day at the market, some random guy catcalled me from his stall, ‘Lepa! Slim shady!’. As I passed, he tried to pull me to himself, and as I hastily walked past he shouted ‘See this one. Ashewo!’. I once shared this story with my male friends and the look of disbelief on their faces simply assured me that they were not paying attention.
So until I can walk the streets safely, without the fear of being groped or slut-shamed for no reason, I will continue to wear that anger on my head like a crown.
My own problem is with the word. Why can’t they be called ‘equalists’?
It would be denying the specific and particular problem. Feminism advocates the emancipation of a gender that has been repeatedly oppressed and denied of rights. It would be dismissing that it women who have for centuries been excluded.
We all need a word to rally around, and the dictionary meaning of feminism covers it.
There are too many types and they all say different things.
There are over 20,000 Christian denominations, some with very funny practices and beliefs, yet I identify as one. Why? Because my faith matters to me more than the noise of a thousand factions, I choose my own definition and choose to own it.
Same goes for feminism.
Feminists seem like extremists who just like to make noise on Twitter jare.
Calling all feminists’ extremists would be dishonest and it would be discrediting the work of feminists who worked hard for what we have today. Women couldn’t vote until 1920. Until 1960, men and women were given unequal pay for equal work. Feminists fought to make all that happen.
I can assure you that Susan B. Anthony was not on Twitter. The Aba Women’s Riot did not take place there either. You should close that app and use a search engine.
Why do feminists hate men?
They do not. Man-hating is a myth that has been used to discredit the movement, making it seem like they’re a group of irrational angry spinsters who are shouting slogans that women are superior to men. What they hate is systems of injustice that allow for prejudice against women and girls.
On a final note, I’d say that that feminism is not a perfect movement, but it has come a long way in fighting for the rights of women to speak, to vote, to have an education, and to be; and that’s good enough for me.
I hope it is for you too.
18 Comments
Olanrewaju
Great piece. I had a conversation yesterday with a male friend. I asked what he thought his life would be if he was a woman and his response was: “guys would be running after me because of my dimples and complexion”. I replied and went: “and touching you inappropriately too because they feel they have the right to grab a beautiful woman”. And he went : ” I think not”. It occurred then to me that many men have refused to be observant and accept the truth.
accordingtodupe
Thank you Lanre!
They definitely need to pay more attention.
Olayiwola
Excellent and impassioned piece Modupe. You know my own views about feminism anyways. Kudos to the brave women that fought for the rights women now enjoy especially in the west. The people who now hold the baton of leadership in the feminist space however need to do better. Women in the middle and far east need people to speak up for them. The fight must be won there too. Much more can be done if they stopped chasing shadows. Let’s enthrone logic and make anger take a back seat. Let’s truly advocate for equal opportunities.
accordingtodupe
Thank you Layi!
Ernesto
Thoughtful article
accordingtodupe
Thank you Ernesto!
Charles
Nice article. Explaining things as they should be. Great work, Dupe
accordingtodupe
Thank you Charles!
Abidakun Dolapo
We keep fighting for this .
Till we all see it as it ought to be.
Keep it up sis.
accordingtodupe
Yes dear
Thank you??
fifunmiisproud
I loved this piece! It really justifies the thought that nothing comes free… Its paid for or fought for as the case may be. We all have to see it as our fight Male or Female.
Thanks Modupe.
accordingtodupe
Thank you Fifunmi!
DaaZ
The limitations are so knitted to societal beliefs that they appear as “normal life” to most people. Met some females who actually believe they shouldn’t attain too great heights, because it’d intimidate their partners…
So many still misunderstand this movement. So making an article that explains it like this, is really thoughtful.
Great work, Dupe!
More ink to your pen.
accordingtodupe
Thank you Daaz!??
Ifeoluwa
This article definitely shed more light on what feminism is and I was challenged to do my research too. Thank you Dupe.
accordingtodupe
I’m glad! Thanks Ife??
Sisi
Hmmm. The problem with feminism as with any other bloc is members who lose focus of the original vision. The problem of women who parade as feminists just because they want an excuse to attack the menfolk. The champions of the cause must therefore ensure that disciples are well-schooled and terms properly defined just as you have done, Dupe! Well done.
accordingtodupe
Thank you Sisi!