Ravroop Kaur
Over the years since I have gained conscience about the world and my place in it as a woman,I have always stumbled upon the term feminism.Why is it so conspicuous? Why so debatable? and lastly why isn’t the term in itself complete?Why did some of my university professors say that the term has gained multiple meanings coming from the last three centuries?
In the year 1401, French women writer Christine De Pizan took part in a haughty debate establishing her self a writer beyond love ballads to one to talk about women’s position in the society.Christine wrote a response to a Fabliau by Jean de Meun called The Romance of the Rose, in which he satirized courtly love, blaming women, calling them seductresses. She took him to task for the language that he used, calling it vulgar, and claiming that no woman would ever use such language.
What amuses me is that if we google the term feminism, it is said to be coined by a man called Charles Fourier.I called a couple of my friends and asked them if they knew about the origins of the term, well they didn’t.What’s interesting is that no one talks about the 1st woman writer in history but when Charles Fourier coined the term from a French word FEMINISME in 1837 it became a movement from then till now.Why was the right to women’s empowerment given an identity after so many centuries? Being a woman I feel that am I supporting my right to feminism after the term was legalized by a man?
In school, college and university,I have had teachers teaching John Donne’s poetry, both male/female who didn’t discuss much in interm of gender roles.Why did he question women’s intellect to certain point? I agree that he is a great metaphysical poet, his metaphysical conceits are most intelligent. But, “Hope not for mind in women; at their best,
Sweetness and wit they are, but mummy, possess’d.”from Loves Alchemy.
Now why is he questioning women’s intelligence?I guess, my teachers felt it was necessary only to explain the poem not as what it spoke in such serious undertones.Women activists Simon de Bevoir reasoned the women’s concept, she argues is a male concept where man is the subject and women is the object. This perceptive outlook considered man as the “seer,” and the women as the other.So should we call ourselves feminist? Should we?Therefore, I though of an idea! I framed a set of questions and sent it to friends who have stated some views on woman’s liberty. I thought why not see how they approach this concept. The very simple questions are:
Are you a feminist?
What does it mean to you?
Why do you think you need to be called a feminist?
I have jotted down some interesting replies:
* I am a feminist. To me it means holding thoughts of women and men at the same level. Having equal rights to speak their minds freely, not just publicly but inside the house as well. I don’t think i need to be called a feminist but I just don’t want anyone telling me “you are a woman, you don’t know?”
* Yes, I am a feminist. It means I would proactively work to help fellow sisters in times of need. I need to call my self feminist to show commitment to the cause.
* Yes, I am a feminist and to me it means equal rights to men and women. Because I am a women and its my rights I am fighting.
* Yes, not a core feminist though. Feminism is fighting for equal rights as men. Here equal rights mean: rights in terms of education, job opportunity, career growth, living standards, same freedom to both sexes. Their individualism need to be respected by all men in the society: by a father, brother, husband, friends and even by strangers.I strongly believe in individualism and equal rights for all. Feminism cannot be successful if we do not educate both men and women in our society. I don’t think I am much of a feminist. I am more of an individualist.
* I believe equality between not just females and males. I support equal rights for every gender. Equality in matters of same job-same salary, same property and hereditary rights. For example: due to unequal male and female population in India, we do have reservation for women in cabins and seats in metros. But it shouldn’t mean that a lady seated in these seats should not help an elderly person standing in front of her.Feminism does not mean to give us the right to be rude or arrogant. It has become saturated more in urban areas than rural, where it is actually needed. We shouldn’t overuse it.I think I should be called a Feminist, but I do not believe in wearing the badge.
The idea and the cause for women’s right, the right to speak and express through our mind, body and our writing, our action and our choice of living based on our terms; should be equality for every single woman and person. What we say, feel or think should matter and be respected is more of an individualistic thought that every woman felt. All these women have their own different wavelengths which is influenced by their own personal experience and awareness. Since every individual has their own thought; would all of them agree with each other completely?I rather doubt it, thus each one’s reply to the others would be the statement”I agree to disagree.” Objectivism is very important factor in their answers; we will make decisions for us which will suit our credibility and our needs.
In our 21st century, I don’t see all women helping each other, there are few but, rest are busy competing in jealousies. Women judging one another without understanding the difference in their mind set, way of thinking and way of living further questions feminism.
Can’t really blame them, it is the survival of the fittest. As I have seen people fighting over IV stands in government hospitals.We shouldn’t bind ourselves to a certain feminist class in society and nor should we use it as a scapegoat. What we need is a healthy society with awareness and laws for equality for every person despite their gender. These laws should not just existfor individuals in the outside world, but in neck of our woods and our domestic ways as values to be taught.
One of the greatest writers of the 20th century, Ayn Rand does not call herself feminist. Of course she said that women can do anything and be anything. But she had her reasons based on Objectivism akin to collectivist genre in society and well she did gain a lot of knowledge from Aristotle.Both men and women need each other, it’s the law of nature which feminist can’t deny. We need men in out lives just as they need us. Whether it is for hero worship of their masculinity or for virtue which we want to see in them. Just the way our male friends would like wonder woman’s fierceness and righteousness to adore her on the silver screen.”The man or the woman in whom resides greater virtue is the higher;neither the loftiness nor the lowliness of a person lies in the body according to the sex, but in the perfection of conduct and virtues.” ‘Said Christine De Pizan.’
To know our individual self is an instinct which gives us an edge, that’s how we see shortcomings and draw our paths.In the movie Titanic, Rose would not have been able to break away from concocts of her society if it weren’t for her own mental projection of her life as she saw it, “the inertia of my life” as she said. She has three people who’s influence make her more aware of herself. Her mother certainly does not make the bar in stopping her to attempt suicide, being a feminist we should expect woman standing for each other. It wasn’t her Fiance, Cal who does seem to love her but cannot understand her or else why would he gift her such an expensive necklace. Then comes Jack in whom she sees her other half to break from her class bound upbringing.Also, Jack who’s free spirited and confident attitude gives him superiority over the rich class.
If we read French literature for women, we come across even normal to abnormal concepts particularly in accordance to how we opinionated ourselves. Many French writes have correlated the society’s treatment of women’s ability based on Freudian psychoanalysis of male superiority based on sexual archetypes.Even if there is gender inequality based on these archetypical symbols, the question is how can we surpass them just being called feminist. Or should we really try to surpass them by not accepting womanhood?
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