feminism
At its core, feminism is the simple conviction that women are equal to men in every regard, and should be treated as such.
How to Be a Lazy Feminist
I would like to start this off by saying that I use the words feminine, female, and woman as ways to express these abstract life areas that are more nurturing and “earthy” by nature, and in no way do I intend to place people in boxes or claim to have any kind of superior knowledge of anyone else’s process of what or who they identify with. I use these terms not to be gender specific or to classify people—instead I use them because, at this point in time, I have no other way to explain the concepts I am about to talk about without turning this into a thousand page essay. I am open to ideas and suggestions on how to approach these subjects in a more enlightened way if anyone has anything they would like to contribute. I am aware of the unfairness that is associated with society putting labels on people and making them choose a specific identity. I am also aware this is shifting and I am on the path of learning more—please help me learn!
Morgan Leigh CallisonPublished 6 years ago in VivaWhat Does it Mean, to Me, to Be a Feminist?
What does it mean, to me, to be a feminist? I brought my cat to the vet this week because she’s taken to peeing in the house. Worse than that, it was clear that there was blood in her urine. She wasn’t just peeing in the house to be a little snit. She was telling me that she wasn’t well and she was asking for help the only way she knew how.
Katey MyersPublished 6 years ago in VivaMy Empowerment Kick
Something has been on my mind for a few days now. I don’t know how to articulate it, but this is me attempting to. I have been single for some time now, and while I consider myself to be a “relationship person,” I think I am finally starting to get a full grasp on myself and what I believe.
Quinn ChapmanPublished 6 years ago in Viva#MeToo Is About You, Too
There were times in the past that I was sympathetic to the cries of “Not All Men,” but after a while I’d seen and heard enough to feel like it actually was All Men. It wasn’t in overt harassment, or openly sexist comments, but the accumulation of so many little things, the “microaggressions.” But after a while of putting up with the stereotypes, assumptions, and being treated as “less than,” they started to feel a lot like the regular old macroaggressions. It was everywhere. And worse, when confronted with information that suggested they—gasp!—might be in the wrong, the Not All Men were deeply offended and incredulous that we could possibly have interpreted their innocent behaviour as sexism. Just like the person who thinks it’s worse to be accused of racism that it is to actually be racist, we end up in a never-ending cycle of complaining and then having to deal with the tantrums and denial caused by the complaint. Well #MeToo has given us the opportunity to say “No More.”
Katy PreenPublished 6 years ago in VivaWhy Being a Man Is Not an Excuse Anymore
I recently read Andrew Sullivan’s article for NY Mag entitled, “#MeToo and the Taboo Topic of Nature” and I have to say, I’m more than a little pissed. I found this article after reading an incredible piece by Lili Loofbourow reacting to this inane “men will be men because it’s in their nature to be aggressive” column coming from Sullivan.
Lizzie KreitmanPublished 6 years ago in VivaDr. Frances-White: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Feminists
The final removal of the gold painted veneer from the rusted, pervert behemoth of Hollywood is a good thing for everyone. However, the path forward is not all crystal-clear waters and plain sailing.
Matt RichardsPublished 6 years ago in VivaWhy You Should Agree With People Who Think That the Lack of Female Bands at Festivals, Etc. Isn't a Bad Thing
If you are an avid Twitter user and follow a lot of people with interests in music like me, your timeline is probably currently flooded with tweets about the lack of female bands and artists as acts, especially headline acts, playing at music festivals. One of the major British Festivals that happens every summer is the Reading and Leeds Festival. The two twin festivals have a joint capacity of over 160 thousand muddy gig-goers every year—so pretty damn big! Last year, the headline acts consisted of Kasabian, Eminem, Muse, Major Lazer, Bastille, and Liam Gallagher. Out of the 27 acts that played on the main stage at both festivals, only six acts had at least one woman as part of the act. The 2016 Reading and Leeds headline acts consisted of Foals, Disclosure, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chvrches, Imagine Dragons, Biffy Clyro, Fall Out Boy, and The Vaccines. One of those acts had women present on stage.
Izzy GallowayPublished 6 years ago in VivaHas Feminism Gone Mad?
This is something that has been plaguing me recently. As a young feminist in this infinitely connected world, I am constantly seeing both parts of the argument (no matter how stupid or logical; it seems both receive the same amount of airtime).
Courtney J WilkiePublished 6 years ago in VivaI, Human
It is almost three years since I have been attacked one early October morning as I was jogging around my neighborhood. Fortunately I was able to escape and the cops were able to catch him, but he was never prosecuted for it. Just once someone called about the incident a month later, but nothing after that. My trust with the police was already rocky to begin with, and this incident proved my belief even more. And even though I was not harmed, the incident left me paranoid around men and scared to the point I had to quit my job because the majority of my coworkers were guys. I just couldn't be there.
Selena VillegasPublished 6 years ago in VivaFeminism
Wow, it's been 100 years since the suffragette movement began in 1918. As a proud feminist, its a year to celebrate all that we have achieved over the past 100 years to get closer to our goal of equality. Although we're not there yet, even in first world countries, we have made huge progress, from women gaining the vote in 1920 to women being allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia in 2017. But what does feminism really mean?
The Red Dress Among the Sea of Black at the Golden Globes
In case you've been hiding under a stone at the bottom of a volcano this past week, you are probably aware that the #timesup movement happened at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards early this January. Attendees wore black in support against the growing sexual harassment stories that have surfaced in light of the #metoo campaign that swept the world like a broom to dust. Actresses from Oprah Winfrey to Kristen Bell, Gal Gadot and Amy Poehler all wore black in commemoration of the two epic-sized movements, but one beautiful red dress stood out from the wave of darkness.
Delilah JaydePublished 6 years ago in VivaWhat It Means to Be a Women
I just wanted to talk about some things that us as women do (not all but some). My name is Essence and I was scrolling through my social media when I saw a question that popped out to me. What it means to be a women? For some women it means you need to keep yourself a certain way for men. Or staying home with the kids and making sure the house is in order. Now not all women are alike, some do it for themselves and they don’t care what anyone say. Let’s be honest though, as women we talk a lot of crap about each other instead of building each other up (some, not all). To me I don't think that there is one perfect women, but there are great women. I don't think wives have to stay home cleaning and taking care of the kids. It's give and take and men should do just as much as women. I feel like women don't have to cook for men. We do all this stuff just because. I feel like if I cook today then you can cook tomorrow, if I do laundry today then you can do it tomorrow, and if I picked to kids up from school today then you can do it tomorrow. There's so much that we put up for to please men. But I'm only 22 years old, so in my generation we are expected to do the most. The men of my generation (some, not all) think women with huge breasts, big butts, long hair, nails done, and light skin are perfect. But they also want us to be freaky but if we show our freaky side, then we a hoe. When men cheat it's okay but when girls do we are sluts and other things. If we are single and doing us, then we are thots. Men want us look and act a certain way for them instead of being ourselves. Again, I only mean some men, not all. If we don't have our nails done then we nasty because we don't keep ourselves up. Some of us have style and some of us just can't afford to have a style but it's like if we don't have to new Jordan's or some kind of Gucci, then we broke. Well I'm sorry but I ain't paying that just to look good. I think it's stupid all the things we have to do just for some men to accept us. If we don't have long hair then we bald, do we wear wigs, weave, braids, and ponytails. Now a lot of us actually like the extra things: makeup, piercing, lashes, etc. But when we do all those things and we finally get a man, they cheat on us and lie to us anyways; we're supposed to be queens but get treated like peasant. To me, being a women means being yourself. If you don't want to do the extra just to look good for men then don't. Some of us like it but if you don't then stop spending extra money stressing yourself out. Shoot, don't shave if you don't want to. Be free to be who you want to be. Do what makes you happy. But make sure you always handling your responsibilities. That's what being a women means to me. Not giving a damn and doing you no matter what. I want women to start building each other up and for men for one moment. I want women to accomplish all their dreams and do what makes them happy no matter what anyone say. That’s what being a women means.
Essence LeePublished 6 years ago in Viva