Rebirth of Feminism

We often tumble across this question, “Are you a feminist?” and I feel proud in saying that Yes I am. I believe in equality among men and women. God made men and women different which should be respected and appreciated but not to be marked as weakness of any one of both the sexes. People generally are very skeptical in getting related to this word and opt not to express on this subject yet it remains an important part of our daily lives. Lets brisk ourselves with the real Feminism and let’s not be afraid of this.

Many of you might not be aware that the word “Feminism” was born on the lands of France and achieved worldwide magnitude around 1900s. Around then, women were casted as a weak race meant for child birth and household chores. This theory brought a radical change in the thought process of both men and women, raising their voices on the forever on-going inequality on women and thus the revolution caught up speed. This was the first wave of this ocean that hit us all and I feel this was the best thing that humans witnessed. However the revolution brought with it another set of group with agenda “We hate Men”, with female members who were badly oppressed voicing out their hatred against men. An epic event in New York took the world with a shock when a small group of women bought tickets to a pageant show with banners reading “WOMEN’S LIBERATION,” and shouting “Freedom for Women” and “No More Miss America,” hereby exposing the public to an early second-wave feminist agenda.

The best take out from the second wave of Feminism was that this era focused on the notion and interests of all the oppressed groups: women, blacks and homosexuals yet hatred for men grew along. Well to be true I am not a fan of this radical movement as I strongly believe it is based on irrational vitriol on all men. By basic definition, Feminism means political, economic and social quality of the sexes and not one sex even if the same sex has been oppressed for ages known to mankind. It just does not make any sense how you can be unequal when equality is the actual agenda on hand. I feel this was the era when Feminism lost its essence.

In an interview, Sharon Stone was quoted: “The more famous and powerful I get the more power I have to hurt men.” Another quotation from famous author Marilyn French “All men are rapists, and that’s all they are.”

Is this what Feminism mean? Per me these sad presentations from such pivotal women portrays disturbing sentiments. I guess the real problem with the theory is it exploits the legitimate claims of equality as a blanket for neurotic interests. We have a right to anger if we are oppressed but we cannot turn anger into rage because that is meaningless. I would never ever think of a life without my loving husband, my darling father and my loved brother rather I would teach my kids about equality of all irrespective of sex, color and religion. We are just as strong as men yet we need them to escort us when we are alone as men are potential rapist. Blaming does not help solve the concern. The best medication is imparting right education to our kids so that no female has to go through a rapist.

I have experienced inequality during my childhood at the hands of my grandparents, when my brother was allowed to play cricket and I was asked not to because it’s a boy game. However small this act was but it builds in when added with many more examples. I feel I was blessed to have parents who stood up for me and allowed me to go out and explore life. Having so many friends who had a list of do’s and don’ts from their parents, my life turned out a blessing. I wonder how come people have become so comfortable living in this menace and choosing not to talk. I feel talking generates change and it should be a healthy part family conversations.

Today we have entered the era of modern Feminism and I am a firm believer and a supporter of this. This the age where both men and women flaunt their femininity to seek global perspectives. I feel proud in creating alliances with blacks, lesbian, gay, bi and importantly all religions. We have amazing women leaders like Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate who does not blink without quoting “Extremists have shown what frightens them most: A girl with a book”.

Very rightly said by this young revolutionary, education grows you as a person. For me, Feminism means being human to one and all. An amazing movement launched by British actress and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson to give a new face to equality called HeForShe. This project brings forward a new concept where men need to take up the mantle of speaking against inequality. Her speech gave me a sense of pride that if this 24 year old can arouse new meaning of Feminism in modern age then what is hampering us in walking away from this peril. 

Feminism is beyond the borders of race and color. Appreciating it not as a threat and as an opportunity only can take us forward in creating a safe and comfortable home for all.

For all those interested, here is the link of Emma Watson’s speech on HeForShe campaign. It is worth watch and definitely to be absorbed in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-iFl4qhBsE

Is Art racist?

"The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend." - Henri Bergson, French Philosopher and Educator

So true!! You can only grasp what your mind is prepared to. So does this mean that artistic creations will suffer as they do not compliment ideologies of certain sect of people. What conspired in the murder of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical weekly magazine, can be perceived as either “end of democracy” or “a start of an era of revolutionary art”. It all depends upon the pre-conceived notions of people who read this.

This French magazine’s new cover of Prophet Mohammed has drawn mixed reactions worldwide. To avoid racial criticism the magazine explained what the drawing is portraying however you cannot change the pre set perspectives of people. Hence many Muslims worldwide are feeling insulted. So who decides the division line in art? Does the religion give their dos and don’ts? So in a particular religion who will get this powerful role? Should government be given the power to censor art? Is that democracy?

The world of art is not new to criticism hence addressing racism both real and perceived is a sticky task. Historically artists, writers, painters and film makers worldwide were killed, slaughtered, disappeared and even send to exile because their art was considered racial. Recent image circulation of Russian socialite and Garage editor-in-chief Dasha Zhukova sitting on a bondage chair held up by a mannequin in the likeness of a black woman published on Dr. Martin Luther King Day drew attention worldwide. The message understood from this art was white dominance and black women as objects. However the real message portrayed by the artist was symbolizing chair as bondage and women their prey. This art was to bring out the message that even today women are being suffered in various aspects of society. One of the main roles of art is to talk about disturbing things and make people confront them in themselves. And both the artist and Russian socialite had to come out with apology.

I am not advocating acceptance of art as it is but where do we draw the line. How do we fence the creativity that is required to come up with art. Freedom of speech and expression is a right for all and protests should be expressed if artworks are deemed offensive. With intellectual understanding of a certain subject, real implications need be drawn of a certain art and artist.

I believe in meaningful art and society. Revolutionary art is what our world need today badly.