Are you a feminist? Let these two comic creators help you find the answer

Feminism is quite a misunderstood concept. From man-hating to bra-burning--there are many shades of feminism in popular culture. Sadly, none of them are the real hues of this concept which basically means bringing women at par with men.

Also read: What really, truly makes a feminist? Hint: Man-hating is not a criteria

In the sea of (mis)information out there, two brave women are trying to set the record straight. The creators of Custom Cuts, a popular Tumblr comic mini series, are two such feminists.

Meet Pia Alize Hazarika, a 29-year-old Delhi-based illustrator, and Malathi Jogi, a 24-year-old Mumbai-based writer--the kickass women behind the equally-kickass comic who in an exclusive conversation with OddNaari reveal all about Custom Cuts.

Who's a Bad Feminist?
Well according to a few people, it was Pia. And that's what started it all.

"I started this as a response to a very drunken accusation of being a bad feminist. It was sitting with me for a while, and rather than rage about it online, I thought it would be more productive to channel it into something that would show where I stand and what my beliefs are," the illustrator says.

"I wanted it to serve as a tool to show people (sure and unsure of their feminism) that there's a spectrum under which they can fall, as well as remind them that not everything is black and white--that it's OK to be firmly planted in the grey area." she explained.|

Once the seed sprouted in her mind, Pia chose to rope in her friend Malathi to write the comics with her. "I knew she'd bring in a well-rounded, non-biased  point of view that works well with that I was trying to do--educate without alienating or intimidating anyone. We like to nerd out over the research section together," she says.

Even though the duo lives in different cities, the distance hasn't stopped them from collaborating on the series. They work online by sending each other voice notes and articles to edit the copies together.

Destination Feminism
Comics are all fun and fine, but how can a few illustrations change the world perceives the big F word? Well, Pia and Malahti believe that with every stereotype they break, they're one step closer to sweet success.

"Every page we create is built to challenge boxes that people like to put feminism (and feminists) in. We try hard to showcase the evolution of feminism, where the movement stands today, the grey areas, and how it can mean different things to different people. I think our purpose is to reclaim feminism from the clutches of ignorant, faux-progressive discourse. We'll take it as a bonus if we're able to simplify academic concepts for everyone in the process," says Malathi.

Reclaiming Feminists, One Strip At a Time
The meaning of the word feminism has been misunderstood to such an extent that people have now started to disassociate themselves from it. Be it celebrities or a laywomen--no one wants to be labelled a feminist anymore. But the Custom Cuts duo are having none of that!

"Some dissociate from feminism because of the hate and aggression the label attracts. For some, it might just not be possible to be safe and proclaim that they are a feminist. Some dissociate from it because historically, feminism has been exclusionary of their identities, while some do that because they can't see their brand of feminism reflected in the movement any longer. All we hope to do is to reclaim feminism to be effective, deliberate, and inclusive."

Pia and Malathi have covered integral aspects of feminism and hope to continue to gently educate people. They plan to showcase different feminisms and explore where feminism can, and will take people.

So, for those who are still living under the rock and don't understand what being a feminist actually means, Custom Cuts is a play-by-play guide. Think of it as a dummies guide to feminism--and we're hoping the dummies are reading it.