Do you even know what feminism means?

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

I got quite upset, when I had a conversation the other day with a woman. The conversation was about how she preferred female doctors, dentists, etc. An then into the mix she threw in the phrase:
"But I am not a feminist."

I then asked her what she means by that. She said that she meant that she doesn't hate men. I then had to educate her that feminism is not man-hating. It is simply about women seeking equal rights to men.

Here is the definition: Feminism (Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 2011: 522): "The advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of sexual equality".
Usually, when people say they are feminists, it gets linked to man-hating. But quite frankly, I like men a lot. A LOT! If this doesn't make sense, here is a picture:

This is what feminists are fighting for

I am a feminist, because:

• I believe I should earn the same money as a man doing the same work as me.

NOT THIS!

THIS!

• I believe that children can be raised to be literally ANYTHING they want to be, even if my son wants to be a ballerina. 
• I believe there are no gender roles, for example, women belong in the kitchen. (BULL!)
• I can do anything a man can.
• I believe it is fine if a boy wants to cry and it is fine if he is in touch with emotions.
• I believe a girl can play with cars and become a mechanic if she wants to.
• I believe in gender equality, in each and every aspect. 

I only recently discovered that there is a word for how I felt, when ladies complained that men don't open doors for them, but they won't do it for the men. It infuriated me. If you are not willing to open doors for men, why should they open it for you? I even open doors for girls, it's called common decency. 

It infuriates me when women, who are promiscuous are seen as sluts, whores, or whatever other names there are, but men are seen as legends.

But it it doesn't help talking about it and not doing anything about it. We should be the change we want to see. We should be the difference. We should raise our kids to be blind to race, so racism will be a thing of the past. We should raise them to become anything, because we never laughed at their ideas if they wanted to become something that is not according to their gender. WE should let them wear anything and play with anything they choose. We should let boys cry and girls be able to be strong or any way they choose to be! This is how we will reach gender equality. Women and men can be feminists, if you believe in gender equality. Please watch this video of Emma Watson launching the He For She campaign.

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”
― Maya Angelou

“We've begun to raise daughters more like sons... but few have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters.”
― Gloria Steinem

Romance was murdered

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

News just in: Romance was murdered this morning when he was getting off the high-way. One-night-stand, laziness and Alcohol shot him through the window. He was trying to make his way to Effort and Time (his family). The people responsible have not been caught yet. It is a sad time for all the single people out there. His funeral will take place on the 14th of February.

Or could the loss of Romance be blamed on Cupid, because he is always drunk? And forgot all about his duties? Like protecting Romance, Time and Effort? He will be taken in for questioning for failing to do his duties and also for FUI (Flying Under the Influence).

Romance was totally murdered. Maybe, it's the era that we're living in or maybe it's the phase of our lives, which we're in? I have no idea, but where are the flowers, the going on dates, the getting to know one another, the excitement when the person messages you, the late-night phone calls?
Because I have not experienced it! Maybe it is an ideal that is painted by movies, but I don't want to believe it.

The other night when I was out with friends, a guy came up to me and asked for a dance. During this dance, I accidentally stepped his toe. He then demanded that I give him my number, to make up for his sore toe...

No, sonny boy! If you made the effort to talk to me, then maybe you would've gotten my number. I tried to make conversation, but all I got was shrugs... Maybe if you took the time to even ask my name, I would've wanted to talk to you. I should've stepped on your other toe, as well. Too bad I didn't.

I am not saying that guys alone should do all the effort, girls should also take time and put effort into relationships. I truly believe in equality. Guys and girls should pay for dates. Guys and girls should really put effort into relationships. But where has that effort gone??? Maybe murdered along with romance. Or maybe Cupid tripped and fell on effort and he is suffering from brain damage and Cupid refuses to do anything about it...

Whatever it may be: I will find someone who will try to bring back the romance, effort and time to get to know me. Maybe this person will put Cupid in rehab and get him sobered up, so he can continue to do his duties.

I am a Feminist.

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Feminism (Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 2011: 522): "The advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of sexual equality".
Usually, when people say they are feminists, it gets linked to man-hating. But quite frankly, I like men a lot.

I am a feminist, because:

• I believe I should earn the same money as a man doing the same work as me
• I believe that children can be raised to be literally ANYTHING they want to be, even if my son wants to be a ballerina. 
• I believe there are no gender roles, for example, women belong in the kitchen. (BULL!)
• I can do anything a man can.
• I believe it is fine if a boy wants to cry and it is fine if he is in touch with emotions.
• I believe a girl can play with cars and become a mechanic if she wants to.
• I believe in gender equality, in each and every aspect. 

I only recently discovered that there is a word for how I felt, when ladies complained that men don't open doors for them, but they won't do it for the men. It infuriated me. If you are not willing to open doors for men, why should they open it for you? I even open doors for girls, it's called common decency. 

It infuriates me when women, who are promiscuous are seen as sluts, whores, or whatever other names there are, but men are seen as legends.

But it it doesn't help talking about it and not doing anything about it. We should be the change we want to see. We should be the difference. We should raise our kids to be blind to race, so racism will be a thing of the past. We should raise them to become anything, because we never laughed at their ideas if they wanted to become something that is not according to their gender. WE should let them wear anything and play with anything they choose. We should let boys cry and girls be able to be strong or any way they choose to be! This is how we will reach gender equality. Women and men can be feminists, if you believe in gender equality. Please watch this video of Emma Watson launching the He For She campaign. 

If you cannot see the video please click here. 

She is one amazing woman, and I hope she accomplishes everything that she wants. I believe she will make a big difference. 

Are you a feminist? If not, why? I would love to hear your thoughts about this.