Sometimes I just don't understand people. In particular girls who don't identify as feminists. And while my friends may roll their eyes at me or give me the "I'm not a feminist but I believe in equal rights" spiel...I will never understand it.
Because no, feminism is NOT outdated. Maybe when rape statistics are eliminated. Or when there is complete equal pay in the work force. Or when double standards cease to exist. Or when women can identify as lesbians without harassment or jokes. But clearly, that is SO not the case.
Girls, imagine what your life would be like if the feminist movement had never happened. Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richard's essay "A Day Without Feminism" does a fantastic job in summing this up entirely.
I came across a passage in Women's Voices, Feminist Visions (by Susan Shaw and Janet Lee) that seconds this notion:
If you are a woman, you would not be in college. You would not be able to vote. You could not play sports. Contraception is illegal. So is abortion. You're expected to marry and raise a family. Your husband can force you to have sex, and, if you were sexually abused as a child, most likely no one will believe you if you tell. If you are sexually attracted to women, you are considered mentally ill and may be subjected to an array of treatments for your illness (page 12).
Need I say more?
Take this opportunity and go thank a feminist. Do it!
thank you, i will!
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