feminism
At its core, feminism is the simple conviction that women are equal to men in every regard, and should be treated as such.
What We’ve Learned
Don't do this and don't do that. That's all we ever hear growing up. You can't go here and you can't go there. It's too late for that and it's just too dangerous for you. Why? We ask. Because you're a girl we're told. But since when is being a girl a bad thing? As soon as we're able to understand what's being said, we're told to be careful around certain family members. The question is, why let those family members near us if that was the case? Ever since we were old enough to attend school we were told that if a boy was mean to us, he secretly liked us. So then everyone wonders why we get into abusive relationships. We're just accepting the love that we were taught at a young age to accept. Ever since kindergarten we were told we couldn't wear certain clothes because it's too distracting to the boys' learning environment and even to male teachers. Why should the boys' education be valued over ours? Why have those types of male teachers? Ever since we were old enough to go places on our own we were told to never go anywhere by ourselves, in fear of something bad happening to us. Why should that be such a common fear? For as long as I can remember, I've always been told to watch my back when I go somewhere, watch what I wear, don't do this and don't do that because it isn't ladylike, males' education and lives are valued over my own. While one in sixteen men are raped or sexually assaulted, one in five women is raped every single day. Sixty-three percent of rape is never reported because who would believe us in this society? Rape culture "doesn't exist" but yet the victims are always the ones blamed for the crime. "Your dress was too short." "Your shirt was too low." "You shouldn't have worn those heels." "You were drunk." "I wasn't sure if you meant it or not when you said no." "You didn't stop me." All of these things are said to victims of sexual assault so why would we come out and say anything? Women have been oppressed since the beginning of time and it isn't getting any better. Hell, our right to vote isn't even 100 years old yet. We're still treated like objects to provide pleasure for men's sexual fantasies. We're treated like garbage and abused every day of our lives. We're told we aren't good enough but yet they question why we stress over not being perfect. Society puts so much pressure on not being over a certain weight, boobs being a certain size, and hair being a certain length. If your makeup doesn't look like this, you're ugly. If you don't look like you just had plastic surgery, you're ugly. No matter what you do, if you don't look like this model in a magazine that we photoshopped, you're nowhere near perfect. If you tell a man no, he doesn't understand. Either he doesn't understand or he doesn't care about what you say. It's sad that we live in a world where we have to say "I have a boyfriend" instead because men respect other men instead of you and what you say. Women are scared to tell men no because if we do, we're either beat to death or shot up. Women have to fight for their basic rights as a fucking human being and that shit isn't cool. Men always say that if it weren't for men, women wouldn't be here, when, in fact, women are the reason men are here. Little boys grow up not being taught how to respect women and grow into wife beaters. They grow into players who hurt a good girl just to get a laugh. It’s time to put an end to this.
By Callie McKinney8 years ago in Viva
The Degradation of the Feminist Movement
The feminist movement used to be a force for good. It was a way for women to fight oppression and have their voice heard. Recently, within the past decade or two, the movement has changed into something unrecognizable. Why the change? What happened?
By Caroline Brown8 years ago in Viva
Worldwide Outrage Over Neomasculine Misogynist Anti-Feminist Blogs and Articles
An online men’s rights activist group has caused a worldwide uproar due to a quote regarding their stance on rape: "I propose that we make the violent taking of a woman not punishable by law when done off public grounds”
By Valerie Holt8 years ago in Viva
Is New Wave Feminism Really Feminism?
To begin, feminism is commonly interpreted as women being considered equal to men in the eyes of society. The question I am asking is isn't it more important for women to be equal amongst each other first? What I mean by that is women are constantly bringing each other down, judging, and being concerned with ego. For example, a woman posts a picture of herself in a swimsuit and she has stretch marks, for she is the mother of three beautiful children. This women then proceeds to receive hate comments, for in the 21st century it is apparently abnormal to have stretch marks, even after having children (unless you're Kylie Jenner). Does anybody acknowledge the fact that she is a mother and proud? Absolutely not. What matters today isn't what kind of person you are, your likes are based on how you look and even to some extent, your social standing based on the materialistic items one has.
By Mama Gillman8 years ago in Viva
Walmart Succumbs to Pressure from Conservative Lobbyists Who Twisted Meaning Behind #Metoo Movement in an Attempt to Justify Removing Cosmopolitan from Checkout Stands
"Walmart removes Cosmopolitan from checkouts as conservative lobbyists celebrate" Walmart removed Cosmopolitan form checkout stands, following pressure from The National Centre on Sexual Exploitation.
By ovaryacting8 years ago in Viva
Empowering Strong Women
I'm 30 years old. I know exactly who I am. I am proud of all my accomplishments at my age. I have a beautiful house, car, daughter, and I'm retired. No one can ever tell me that I depend on a man. I have built my empire from the bottom upwards. I can say at the end of the day, I did all this on my own. No man should ever say shit, especially if they don't have their ducks in a row. Men have a hard time accepting a powerful and successful woman. I feel so fed up right now. I feel like at a point in life either you're going to add to my life or get the fuck out of my life. I will not settle for less than my happiness anymore.
By Natasha Doster8 years ago in Viva
And Valerie, So Over It
People around the world are struggling to come to terms with what appears to be a giant pratfall for mankind. After years of progressive politics, the bugle klaxon to stop and march backwards seems to have been sounded. A new US Presidency looms large over North America, and with it a sense of foreboding is creeping up on us. Questions of individual rights are again central, and we all know that women's rights will be among the first subjects queued up.
By H. Robert Mac8 years ago in Viva
She Said, "Me Too."
Part of me had no desire to destroy his reputation. Except maybe that's not possible if I tell my side of the story. It shocked me the number of women who decided to defend his point of views. Actually, it doesn't shock me one bit, because that proves his manipulation has worked it's way to his friends as well.
By Amy Johnson8 years ago in Viva
Inspiring Feminist Quotes
Inspiring feminist quotes are a big part of my life. Sometimes I use them without even realizing it because what it means to be a woman is to confront a society rigged against you. That's especially the case if you're not a cisgendered, heterosexual, able-bodied, affluent, white woman. But females are strong as hell! We make history happen and we wear bloody shoes. Get to steppin'!
By Chica Reyass8 years ago in Viva
