Feminism and Other Words:

I read an article recently that a friend shared by Lauren Suchenski titled:

Why Isn’t It called ‘Equalism’ instead of ‘Feminism’ if It’s About Equality? Men Need Help, Too.

It got me thinking....why are people so afraid of the word Feminism ? Let's take the Black Lives Matter campaign for example, there were some that were quick to leap on to it and protest that All Lives Matter...like some sort of equality warriors defending the land of all*. What they failed to see was by doing that, their response is also part of the problem. Of course we know that all lives matter, that goes without saying but lets look at the formula;  X is the issue, and in order to solve X we need to accept it and address it with everyone on board.

Feminism doesn't mean excluding male problems, it is intersectional and if its not then it really isn't Feminism; it acknowledges that the need for equality is for the benefit of all genders. Changing Feminism to Equalism or any other word will not help this because we have to recognise that women have been and still are less privileged than men by default

 BUT 

that doesn't mean that all genders haven't been affected by the patriarchal system we live in. For example, Trans suicide rates are so high and intersex people being, I quote "fixed" from birth goes to show how much the binary is so rooted into this divisive system. 

I recognise that the gender binary divides can also be a barrier for those existing outside of it and without exploration of that, many may struggle to identify with Feminism as a result of the lack of visibility for their issues. It is clear Feminism is still inaccessible, in particular for some of the male identifying who feel that Feminism equates anti-patriarchy with anti-male.  Maybe it is why some from all gender identities feel they better relate to the term Equalism to encompass all of that for them.

The association between the male identifying and patriarchy is complex because on the one hand by default of being male, it is a system that is built to automatically benefit that (a privilege). On the other hand it also harms all males regardless of gender conforming or non conforming as generalisations, particularly binary ones without individual considerations feed that divisive system (a disadvantage).

There is no reason that different words and their meanings can't co-exist, Feminism and Equalism can co-exist, they are two sides of the same coin after all; by that I mean you can not claim to be an Equalist without claiming to be a Feminist, however I do feel it is NOT vice versa.  Claiming Equalism on it's own, and Feminism secondary or non existent is concerning as we are nowhere near being an equal society and thus the term becomes a post-feminist one for implying there is equality existing to be built upon. We are no where near a post-feminist society where everyone is fully equal and we must not replace Feminism, for that will replace it's meaning. This is where Feminism needs to step up and do more to be more visibly inclusive so that all identities feel able to identify with and be represented by Feminism.  

If you are just not comfortable with the word Feminism, one of the most common reasons being that FEM is at the forefront of that word; then you need to learn to sit in that discomfort because changing the word will only be further evidence of why we still need it*.  We need to address the requisite that some have to seek comfort in relatable terminology, listen to those who feel unable to relate to Feminism and try to understand why that is and what can be done to change that through examining our own privileges. 

 I am proud to be a Feminist and I am also proud to recognise that a part of why I am is because of my father. My Dad is the biggest champion of women that I know. He made sure that my sisters and I, even my mother received the best education (a privilege that I am fully aware and grateful of). His only wish he once told me, was that we would all be independent women who followed their own dreams. My Dad continues to self examine and I like that we can difficult conversations because he continues to make an effort to understand different point of views. He is fully aware of his privileges and always puts others before himself, women in particular. I think it is awe-inspiring that he, a white English man fell in love with then married a black Ethiopian woman during the 1960's and made a home with her in a small Suffolk town for a few years before settling back together in Ethiopia; I mean that was really pushing against the tides back then ! 

I consider the political and social climate we are living through at the moment, and YES look how far we have come ! but there is still so much work to do. for while we have moved forwards in some ways, there are still those wanting to drag us backwards and progress is slow in many areas. Globally women are still paid less than men, there are women living in violence, women's reproductive and body choices are not their own, there are women not allowed to be educated and much more besides. I look forward to the day we don't need Feminism because that would be the day full equality for all was reached through the empowerment of women/female indentifying, that would be Equalism....until then, boy do we need it ! 

Hx

*an emotive statement that is not separate from it's intellect and for that I am unapologetic.