This is what a pseudo feminist looks like

Are you sure you are not a pseudo feminist yourself?

Dipannita Saha Dipannita Saha
जुलाई 07, 2017
It's okay if you don't know what feminism actually is. But, you need to get your facts right. Photo: Shutterstock/IndiaPictures

 

Feminism. This word not only scares most people away, but also confuses them. Well, we really don't blame them. After all, the word has been misused so much, that it has attached a different meanings to itself. So let's decode what feminism really means--once and for all. You see, it's about standing up for equal rights, regardless of the gender. It's about thinking that men and women are equal--no matter what.

However, it isn't that simple. Yes ladies, there is indeed a catch here. Allow us to explain. You see, sometimes, when you are trying to be a feminist and advocating for equal rights, you often forget that it doesn't work as per your convenience. There cannot be terms and conditions applied, just because it suits you.

Do you know what it makes you when you use feminism just for yourself? A pseudo feminist. Nope, we aren't talking about the word "feminazi" here because that's not even a word. To make things clearer, here's what makes a pseudo feminist:

A Pseudo Feminist Doesn't Do Any Feminist Deeds
Yes, you may have walked in every protest held in your city, you may also have raised slogans or held clever placards for that matter. But does that make you a feminist? Nope, not really.

When you do not fight for your rights and use the word feminist for yourself on Tinder to sound cool in front of your friends, you automatically turn into a pseudo feminist. You want equal rights? How about you actually fight for it then. You see, just saying that you are fighting the good fight doesn't count as real work.

You got to get in the mud and clean it up. The mud being your immediate environment. Which brings us to...

Being Blind To Inherent Sexism Around You
If you choose to ignore sexism in your family or even in you, sorry to say but you are a pseudo feminist. But, first what you need to do is recognize what sexism actually is.

When your friends or your boyfriend tell you that you shouldn't be driving because "girls can't drive", do you protest? Or do you just laugh it off and agree meekly with them? Do you see the problem here? Yes, we understand that it might be a joke that's supposed to be taken as a joke, but let us tell you that sexism isn't funny.

When you laugh at such things, you just contribute to the problem that our society is plagued with. Whether it's your parents, your siblings, friends, or even yourself--sexism is sexism.  Remember the time when Ivanka Trump championed her father, Donald Trump, as a pro-women person? Remember how angry it made you? That's exactly what we are talking about. Don't be an Ivanka.

 

However, You Should Never Pinpoint Things Just for The Sake Of Feminism
Let's suppose your girl gang dissed you for wearing something that is unflattering. It's completely fine. That's not sexist at all. But, if you pointed that out and said "but dude, that's not feminism," you just made a boo-boo.

 

You see that was just a fashion advice. It may have been harsh, but it definitely wasn't meant to bring you down.

Let us give you another example. Have you ever bashed someone for objectifying women, but gone ahead to objectify a shirtless man? Yeah, that behaviour has pseudo feminist written all over it. If you think sexualizing a woman's body is wrong, then remember--the same applies to a man's body too. Interesting, right?

If You Have A Problem With A Woman Choosing Something That's Not Your Choice
Ladies, we understand the importance of being a strong independent woman, who earns her own bread and is proud of it. However, if a woman chooses to be a homemaker, that doesn't make her less of a woman. The problem arises when you start judging a woman for making choices. It's her choice is she wants to be a working women or a homemaker.You can't dis her for choosing the latter.

Just because her choice doesn't match with yours, doesn't mean that she's wrong. You see not everyone gets an education to have a career. Some people can study as much as they want and not want to get a job. That's her choice. If someone makes her quit her job, that's problematic of course. But apart from that everything is just fine.


Refusing To Acknowledge Male Rape Or Pressure Of Toxic Masculinity
Yes, no matter what society thinks, male rape is a real thing. Maybe not according to the law, but for the survivors, it is. A man can get raped, just like a woman can. You know why? Because sexual crimes are not defined by gender.

 

Similarly, if a man cries or shows emotions, he is definitely not a "sissy". You see, our society has always pressurized men to act a certain way, just like it has pressurized women. So if a man isn't muscular or is emotional, that doesn't mean that he's any less. He's a human being and like every human being, he has the right to be whoever he wants to be.

So, there you go. Don't be an a**hole in the garb of feminism. Understand the word, read about it a little, and most importantly--don't use it as a tool.

 

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