PROJECT FEMINISM

I’ve seen way too many people lately claiming that while feminism was important in past decades or in “other parts of the world,” we’re really in a place now where it’s unnecessary. So I thought I’d put together a list of reasons for why feminism is still DEFINITELY FOR SURE UNEQUIVOCALLY NECESSARY:

Because people still say there shouldn’t be a female president (or other important leadership roles) because her menstrual cycle will make her irrational.

Because cat calling still happens to every woman, on a regular basis.

Because people actually emphasize with men who MURDER women, just because she turned him down for a date/sex/prom.

Because people still not only expect, but demand that women will constantly keep their legs and armpits perfectly shaved. Because women who don’t are called gross, disgusting, unclean, by men who have the exact same body parts unshaved.

Because outspoken feminists are regularly threatened with rape and murder.

Because watching a tv show more often than not requires sitting through a stream of countless sexist jokes

Because women are taught from a young age to carry keys in their hands when they walk alone, to cross the street if they see someone walking toward them, to go out in groups, to watch their drink. Because women live in a world where they are constantly a possible target of rape.

Because 1 in 5 women actually are raped.

Because women who assert their opinion are seen as bitchy, while men who assert their opinion are seen as leaders.

Because there are still men who consider “get back to the kitchen” to be a funny or appropriate response.

Because “throw/fight/act like a girl” is an insult.

Because dressing like a woman is degrading for men.

Because despite equal pay legislation, women are still paid less than men for doing the same jobs.

Because cooking and cleaning are still considered by many people to be the woman’s job.

Because rape victims are blamed for being raped, while the men who raped them often go unpunished.

Because women who have sex frequently are still called sluts.

Because girls are socialized from childhood to believe that their appearance is the most valuable thing about them.

Because people view a conversation where women speak 1/3 of the time as being dominated by women. People don’t perceive it as being equal until only 17% of the conversation is women speaking.

Because gender roles are harmful to everyone, regardless of their gender.

Because there are still men who think it’s their wife or girlfriend’s duty to have sex with him whenever he wants.

Because 1/3 of 10-year-old girls’ biggest worry is their body.

Because queer women, differently-abled women, trans women, and women of colour face even higher rates of discrimination and violence.

Because many people believe that the goal of sex is the male orgasm.

Because single mothers are shamed and looked down on, while single fathers are applauded.

Because rape jokes are still commonly accepted.

Because JK Rowling was told that Harry Potter wouldn’t sell if it was by “Joanne Rowling.”

Because 6% of university-aged men will admit to having raped someone if the word rape isn’t used.

Because 58% of university-age men will say that they would “force a woman to have sex” if they could get away with it.

Because solving most of the issues that are generally considered “men’s rights issues” (men being raped, women getting custody of their children, men being abused in relationships) are PART OF FEMINISM. Because feminism benefits everyone.

Because the first time an adult man whistled at me on the street, I was 12 years old and on my way home from my piano lesson.

Because women in high-power positions are regularly criticized for their appearance.

Because it has been shown in repeated studies that when a man goes on a blind date, his biggest worry is that the woman will be fat. A woman’s biggest worry is that the man will kill her.

Can we just repeat that a few more times, 

“The comments on any article about feminism justify feminism.”