Changing course
I used to be the feminist in high school. I read Egalia’s Daughters, watched Itty Bitty Titty Comittee and listened to Le Tigre. I organized workshops for girls to teach them about self esteem and sexual liberation. I had the arguments of the social debate clear in my head, ready to defend the weaker sex at any time.
Reluctantly at first, I’ve started to agree with the new direction of the movement. I understand the arguments of the Gucci-feminists. We no longer have to be as angry as our mothers. Being born with a vagina is no longer a disadvantage if you want to pursue an education and have a successful career.
I start to think that it is dangerous to cling on to the old feminist-paroles. It is dangerous to organize too many workshops for girls and pretend boys have no self esteem problems. To end discrimination because of gender, we have to eradicate the stereotypes and widen the gender roles to fit everyone. The closer we get to this goal, the less discrimination there will be against both women and men, because of their gender.
As much as I like the word feminism as for me it represents everything women have won so far, I think it is about time to change the course, start using a gender neutral expression and let both men and women have the right to complain.
