TRUTH: The New Feminism

Introduction

Feminism: Belief and aim that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men. This is also a social theory or political movement which argues that legal and social restriction on women must be removed in order to bring about equality of sexes in all aspect of public and private life. (Source: Wikipedia )

Feminist: An advocate of feminism; a person who strongly believes in feminism (see definition above)

Origin of Feminism: The history of feminism is divided into First, Second and Third Wave signaling a different era in the struggle to attain equality between the sexes. This originated in the late 18th century and was primarily the emancipation of women. The term 'Feminism' never appeared until the late 1880s. Read more

It is not surprising that Feminism has remained in the spotlight and yet, even in 2018. There are basic questions about feminism that continues to confound people. Questions like:

Should we really be feminists?

Is Feminism truly focused on challenging and inspiring?...

if not, then what then does Feminism holds in stuck?

Now come to think of it; Feminism has never really been what most people (especially some of our so-called feminists) have portrayed it to be. Let's look at some impressions/definitions gotten from different people.

What People Think About Gender Roles and Feminism/Feminists

I heard someone mention that those women (Feminists) who go about encouraging Feminism are people who have failed continuously in their marriages, relationships and the likes and have therefore settled to deceiving the younger generation to follow suit in pursuit for FEMINISM... I'm sure you know what that implies.

Tiwa Savage during an interview on The Beat 99.9FM said she doesn't think men and women are equal stating that women can be strong in career but when at home have to realize that that the man is the head of the house

DJ Cuppy in the same interview, acknowledge the difficulties women in Nigeria face, saying " I had to leave Nigeria to realize my power because a lot of times as a woman, you are constricted to what you can do and achieve".

Chimamanda Adichie in her book titled 'We Should All Be Feminists' also captured this where she stated that a well-meaning man called her aside and told her  people were saying her novel 'Purple Hibiscus' was Feminist and his advice to her was that she should never portray herself as Feminist since feminists are women who are unhappy because they cannot find husbands.

In the view of Vincent Chinonso, "the average Nigerian Feminists thinks that  Feminism is a bargaining tool for subsidizing mediocrity and continuing in anti-intellectual philistinism. The thought of the Nigerian university girl comes to mind; who never sees the need to develop herself, aspire for a career or celebrate the dignity of labor ... instead, she folds her arms, lives at the mercy of male folks and expects to be accorded the same respect given to Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama".

Different individual conclusions about Feminism revolves around words like You hate men, You hate African culture, You think women should always be in charge, You don't wear make-up, You don't shave, You are always angry, You are an enemy to men. Now the question remains... what then is Feminism?.

What Feminism is NOT

Feminism is NOT a movement aimed at destroying men, NOT a belief that women should act, dress or even live like a man, Not a movement that encourages women to remain single or fight against the existence of the opposite sex.

What Feminism Really is

People often make ignorant comments about Feminism, crack jokes to belittle the movement. Most people assume that when a woman claims to be a Feminist she is heartless, a man-hating woman, bra-burning woman. The myth is that Feminists are out to degrade men and support only women. Feminists have also been depicted as women who are alone and refused marriage but rather go around insulting men.

Well, if there are Feminists who believe such; then they are MAN HATING WOMEN! NOT Feminists. In reality, Feminists are meant to be the opposite, they support a broad set of theories, social and political movements, they are about EQUALITY, they believe in empowerment.

Feminism originally is supporting and advocating women rights..... be it political, social and economic equality. Feminists need to start seeking equality to bridge the gap between man and women; not further push them apart.

My stance on the big word 'FEMINISM'

People have leveraged on the word to say and do things wrongly... ranging from the aspect of concluding that women are totally up to and can do whatever it is a man does or even take the place of a man in the society. 

I strongly believe Feminism should seek to address these problems and NOT, I repeat; NOT that we should be placed over, overrule, oppose or act and live like our male counterpart. So... if we're gonna shake this table, let's do so the right way and if you have an iota of doubt please refer back to the origin of Feminism.

Dear Feminists,

If you are gonna teach your Feminism doctrine, kindly teach it the right way. Your messages and actions have gone further to ridicule the role of a man in the society and home, thereby manipulating the aim and or origin of Feminism. You should teach equal rights and fight to pull the girl child out of the pit of limitations where the society may have placed them and not overrule the power of a man in the society.

We ain't weak but then we ain't to be placed in preference over the opposite sex. There's been a thread upon the rights, worth and strength of the girl child i.e. where they are restricted from formal education, from pursuing a rewarding career, some are even being pushed to early marriages against their wish with the shabby belief that it is what they are made for. Feminists should stand to address such cases instead. Please do go back to the origin of Feminism and do your homework rightly.

I'm just a feminine who thinks Feminism has been misinterpreted by the masses and some of the so-called Feminists who seeks to implement it.

Do bear in mind the words of a great man, I quote, "Where purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable". -Myres Munroe

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