Feminism vs Femininity

Today I’ve been thinking of Feminism vs femininity. Everyone seems to have their own idea of what feminism means now days but for me it has always meant women respecting each other, helping each other grow stronger, grow more confident, women celebrating each others strength. All this while celebrating our femininity, our amazing ability to build and maintain relationships and find beauty in everything around us.

Unfortunately some women really get the wrong end of the stick on this. In the media world I’m sometimes surrounded by women who act as if they are ashamed of being women. They don’t realize being equal does not mean being a man, It means being a woman and celebrating what makes us unique and equally as powerful as men. These women put all their focus on being the best Journalists they can be which is great, but in their tiny world that means only thinking and talking about politics and God forbid one has any other interest because then you are labelled as an air head or less intellectual.

Let me give you an example, I have an amazing friend, amazing in so many ways. She is so gorgeous like taken out of an Audrey Hepburn movie. She is unbelievably talented and has achieved so much for her young age (mid 20′s). She is a published writer, be it poetry to features to more serious journalistic pieces. She is political yet loves fashion. She dreams of being a war reporter (a dream she no doubt will achieve) but still enjoys writing about love. When she gets dressed in the morning she is expressing herself, her mood, her hopes and dreams. To me she is a true inspiration, a young woman who is powerful yet gentle. She gets labelled by certain women in our circle, the exact same ones that consider themselves feminists. They say she dresses to draw attention to herself, they label her young and naive, even immature. All this without really knowing her. Surely this is the opposite of feminism? Shouldn’t we be celebrating woman such as her? Why do we women have to be our own worst enemies? Why must so many of us let jealousy get in the way of our growth, why must we try to throw stones in each others paths hoping the other one stumbles and breaks a leg or two.

I surround myself with real feminists. My friends are proud women, women who are motivated and driven, women who respect other women and value themselves, women who don’t judge or criticise others but keep an open mind. I truly pity those who can’t think outside the box, to be free to be who they want to be, who feel forced to shut the world out and try to live up to an image they are prisoners to. I really feel for women who are so intimidated by other women that they can’t help but to try to harm them. Most of all I pity those who can’t handle other people’s success and happiness.

Monday 21st May 2012 | Category: General | Tags: femininity, feminism, Journalists, women