Caution: You Might Be a Feminazi
Most everyone has seen a rise in the number of teenage self-proclaimed feminists (hereafter TSPF) on the Internet. I can’t deny that I, too, identify as a TSPF. However, the fact that I feel almost ashamed to admit this about myself indicates that there lies a fault in this movement. It makes me very happy to see a rise in people who support feminism, but sometimes their beliefs are misguided. Because of some of these TSPFs, we are swept into a generalization as impulsive, uneducated, bigoted, radical feminists. So I’ve typed up some things every feminist needs to consider:
1. Be respectful.
If someone does not share your opinion, they do not become Public Enemy #1. It is to everyone’s benefit if you gently persuade them rather than attack them. People’s opinions change. They’re more likely to change if you try to understand from where they are coming and then respectfully explain your thoughts in a cogent manner. Getting angry will only help perpetuate the feminazi stereotype. Think before you make generalizations about groups of people. You might redirect this question back at me and say, “Isn’t that what people are doing to feminists?” We don’t appreciate being labelled with a one-dimensional stereotype, which is exactly why we shouldn’t mirror their mistakes.
2. Be vigilant.
Understand for what you are arguing and retweeting. Every story has two sides. We cannot be biased towards females. That is not the point of feminism. Our goal is to make both genders equal, and that cannot be if we are partial. As such, it is important that we educate ourselves before jumping to a conclusion, or we risk the narrow-mindedness and hypocrisy against which we are fighting. Take, for example, the mattress protest of Emma Sulkowicz of Columbia University. Thousands of social media users shared her rape story. I love that the power of social media gives everyone the equal opportunity of a voice, but I do not love that people abuse this power. Based on the Facebook conversations between Emma and her rapist, as well as the inconsistencies in her statements, I don’t feel that she was particularly truthful. Western society has started to make a habit of always siding with the supposed victim.
3. Be reflective.
When someone is arguing with you against feminism, keep in mind that you will not always be correct. Keep an open mind. If they bring up a good point, don’t get riled up because you want to oppress them and win. Reflect on what they have said. Like all things human, feminism is a flawed movement, and there is no shame in admitting that. In fact, reflecting on the flaws in your own arguments will only make you a more thoughtful feminist and gain you the respect of the community.
4. “Check your privilege.”
I’m chucking this one in as loving satire. We throw the same phrases around all the time that they become almost meaningless. Yet, this particular phrase does sound true. It is important that we be considerate of situations in developing countries when fighting for gender equality in the Western world. Sometimes we become far too absorbed in our own fickle problems that we ignore far more pressing matters elsewhere.
I suppose I’ll have to throw in an obligatory disclaimer that, as a TSPF, I still have a lot more reading to do on feminist history and ideas. Ergo, I’m not an ideal feminist. Nobody is. And that is absolutely fine. What’s important is that we constantly strive for the improvement of ourselves and education of others. Our priority should be efficiency. Let’s try to convince our enemies to become our allies, as opposed to plowing all of them down.
