Rights. Suffrage. Equality. These are the core tenets of an important movement in today’s time – Feminism. A long-standing movement that has uplifted women throughout the ages, from the Women’s Suffrage Movement to the Equal Pay Act of 1963, womankind has been able to achieve great feats that have opened new doors for today’s generation. 

Yet, as the torch gets passed on to the 21st century, it seems as though it has not completely been used for the better. It begs the question, what is feminism today? Is it putting on your Instagram bio, “#feminist”? is it buying t-shirts that say “girl power!”? is it proudly saying “men are trash” at every opportunity possible? 

Shouldn’t it be bearing fruit to so much more? 

The Modern-Day Cracks 

One of the biggest barriers facing modern feminism today is the raging ideology that it’s all about female superiority. It’s the notion that all men are inherently evil and sinister. It is the proclamation that, to redeem the stolen dignity of womankind, one must disparage men at every opportunity possible. Since the world has been suffering under a patriarchal system, it is now womankind’s turn to be the “top dog.” 

Yet, this “redemption arc” of sorts violates the basic tenets of feminism, and quite frankly, human decency. Nobody has the right, under any circumstances, to unleash a rampage of hate and malice on anyone else. It is, or rather should be, common knowledge that silencing others doesn’t help amplify one’s voice any more.  Hate is unarguably unproductive and deceiving, especially when it is misconstrued as a source of empowerment. 

Feminism, at its core, has always been about equality. Historically speaking, it has mostly advocated for the rights of women – and rightfully so. However, that does not mean only women could join in the fight. Adding to that, it does not mean that only women should be fought for. Yet, how can one encourage everyone to join in this mission of equality if the reigning status quo is to disparage the opposite sex immediately?

Forcing this narrative blatantly ignores the fact that the patriarchy is an age-old social ideology mankind created, to which case everyone was forced to conform to. Over the years, humankind has been conditioned and stratified into these gender stereotypes and roles, as it was passed on from generation to generation.  From labels such as  “women have to stay in the kitchen” and “men can’t be vulnerable,” it is key that one realizes that gender inequality is a systemic issue that does not have one sole perpetrator. It would be one-sided and counterintuitive to believe so. Let’s not let all the resentment and hate blind us from seeing the very core of gender inequality, as it is only this essential truth, above anything else, that can bring the holistic solution everyone yearns for.

In the words of Laura Bates, the author of the book, Everyday Sexism, “this is not a men vs. women issue. It’s about people vs prejudice.” 

This, by no means, is here to dismiss nor justify all the horrors the patriarchy has committed and continues to commit toward women. For centuries, women have always been seen as the inferior gender – simply there to hide in the shadows of men. This gross display of superiority has branched out to the likes of age-old oppression, discrimination, misogyny, and violence that still permeate our day-to-day realities. When it comes to that behavior, there is no excuse nor a bright side to it. These injustices deserve all the call-outs and accountancy possible.

On that note, this “men are trash” mentality is not unfounded. If anything, it is a reflection of the accumulated anger and divides burning within the hearts of women after all these long years.  However, for there to be any progress, one must criticize the system, not just its cogs. Society has to move past a notion that only scratches the surface of what gender inequality is about if it wishes to finally mitigate it.  

Re-emphasizing feminism’s purpose 

Instead of trying to point fingers here and there, modern feminism must realign its priorities and see the bigger picture.  There is a myriad of prevailing injustices that silence not just  women, but even members of the LGBTQIA+ community. From their constant social ostracization to the violation of their basic rights, there are more than enough reasons as to why society must transcend these shallow notions. This anti-men narrative is a distraction, a ruse, that gives one a false sense of fulfillment that change has been made. Yet in reality, the real problem is just right in front of us.

Feminism in itself was never perfect. Yes, it was a valiant pursuit of women’s rights. However,  it is worth noting that the fruits of the movement were once exclusive to white women, until the third wave, at least. Above everything else, it goes to show that dialogue is key.  Limiting the bounds of feminism and those that can partake in it would simply be limiting its potential. Aside from that, it would be driving the world even farther from the common goal of equality. 

Let us not corrupt feminism any further by misconstruing its very spirit. Feminism was never about stroking one’s ego, nor was it about revenge. It was meant to be an ever-growing movement built on the values of equality, justice, and peace – nothing less.