The Women Against Feminism Movement Poses Confusion with Definition of Term. Must Be Time to Reference Oxford Dictionary. Oh they did? Still Misguided. A Deeper Analysis of Why.

Women Against Feminism is social media movement where women have been expressing why they do not need Feminism via a selfie and written statement.  In exploring the movement's Tumblr pages I could not help but feel disappointed and upset.  Many of the statements speak of not wanting to feel like a victim, wanting to reach equality, that women need and or need men.  What was difficult is reading these statements and trying to understand what experience had lead these women to believe such radical ideas about Feminism. 

What these statements confirm is that the idea that Feminism is this radical, militant, in your face, hating men and demands supremacy of women.  What is difficult, is I understand where those ideas can come from.  

Journalist, Cathy Young has been following the movement.  Recently Young visits the topic again for the Boston Globe she asks "DO AMERICAN women still need feminism?" 

Young writes, "some commentators suggest that pro-equality women who reject feminism are misguided. After all, the dictionary defines feminism as belief in the social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. But these women usually know that (and often sarcastically stress that they do). They simply think that real-life feminism has come to mean something else: vilification of men, support for female privilege, and a demeaning view of women as victims rather than free agents."

The term equal rights is used heavily.  But I think there is confusion as to what that means.  I wish these women making these statements would elaborate.  I think that yes, women have far greater opportunities then our predecessors. Whether I can say men and women are equal, what I can say confidently is that I am treated differently because of my sex and gender which directly affects whether I am welcomed.

The boasting of self awareness, instead I reads as naiveness.  I can understand that admitting inequality, discrimination, bias, is admitting that there is a winner and a loser.  What this movement really feels more like is a dissatisfaction against the language.  

Western perspective has approached ideas in dichotomist way.  We are apart of society that is "or" not "and."  For the sake of Feminism, and I have fought this before is a shift in language.  The way in which we talk about these topics.  Because at the moment these polarizing ideas are the ends of the bell curve, and the bulk of us lay in the middle.    

Another thing that this movement brings up is the immense fragmentation FEMINISM has undergone.  These women qualify the term Feminism:
 - Modern Feminism
 - Modern Day Feminists
 - Contemporary Feminism 

It is interesting how some of these women refer to Feminism in this manner.  To encapsulate it in a period of history where it was relevant, but denouncing its importance now.  

Also, this bring up the fragmentation of Feminism in sub categories such as radical, cupcake, Jesus etc.  Fragmentation in this case is only detrimental to the movement.  The sub categories that have been created I believe are only making it  difficult to remember the over arching theme of equality. 

Another step further back, overall detrimental to the progression of Feminism is the back and forth between the "Feminist" and "Anti- Feminist."  

Attacking each other does not make it better for any of us.  
That is another direction I wish Feminism overall would turn.  
This girl for girl sake.  
The girl for girl power. 
Girl for Girl!

I guess what is difficult about this is I am a Feminist.

Unapologetically Feminist in fact. 

I do not believe that women are treated equally.  
Whether worst in some cases or better in others, I feel that being a woman I can see and feel difference between my interactions versus that of my male counter parts.  
I believe we can work towards equality and that it does to have to come in the expense of the opposite sex.

I don't believe that women are automatically Feminist.  
Although, I feel they should.   
I love men and believe men can and should be Feminist. 
There is no need to ostracize men because their support is needed in the fight to end discrimination. 

I love the color pink.
I love skirts and dresses.
I love Vanity Fair and Vogue.
I am a blonde Asian. 
I am an immigrant.
I am Catholic.

I love feeling sexy for myself and my partner.
I have a sense of humor.  
Being a feminist does not make me the sexist police, demanding redemption of your Feminist card.

I love being a woman, obstacles and all. 

But I am a realist. Choosing to ignore the uphill battle for women, well ignorance is bliss.