Feminists are angry, but for good reason

By: Nila Hall

Posted: 3/19/07

Angry man-hater? Or a lesbian?

I'm certain these are the questions people want to ask when they learn someone is a feminist.

The question is, is this view valid?

I'll be the first to say, it is not.

In parts of the world women, in some cases men, are being murdered in the name of "honor," due to supposed offences of sexual activity, refusing to go through with an arranged marriage, and being a victim of sexual assault.

When this happens, the woman is assumed to have brought "dishonor" to the family.

Very rarely are the perpetrators ever punished.

In India, there have been a number of incidents in which brides have been burned alive because they could not provide a large enough dowry to the families they are marrying into.

Young girls are undergoing "female circumcision" because there is a belief that mutilating girls will keep them "chaste."

Not to mention the sexual assault crimes taking place in our society.

Isn't this good reason for a feminist to be angry?

Or am I blowing things out of proportion?

Another reason why the stereotypical view of feminists is wrong is because feminism comes in many different forms: womanism/black feminism, ecofeminism, lesbian/separatist feminism, Marxist feminism, there's even Islamic feminism.

And there are more.

My point is that feminism isn't about hating men or about women wanting to become men.

The general ideology of feminism is about creating equality between men and women.

Are some feminists lesbians?

Yes, there are lesbian feminists, but not all feminists are lesbians.

I've also came to the realization that many people view feminism in the Western perspective and many have the belief that women have equal rights and there's nothing left for us to be angry about.

I would like to point out that many feminist activists are not speaking out only against the injustices occurring in the Western world, but those abroad as well.

One example is the Feminist Majority Foundation, which is involved in many campaigns that range from contraception promotion to helping women and girls in Afghanistan.

Another good organization is the Global Fund for Women. This is an international network of women and men who are pursuing the goal of creating equality and social justice.

I just don't believe that feminists and feminism deserve to have a bad reputation.

I can understand where many people would get their misconceptions about feminists.

We're not portrayed in a positive light. We are seen as being irrational, angry - and I mean angry all the time - unattractive, and just unpleasant to be around.

Well, I'm here to say, yes feminists are angry, but only because there are far too many injustices happening toward women.

nhall@unews.com