I AM a Feminist … Aren’t You?

August is officially Women’s Month in South Africa, commemorating the 1956 Women’s March to Pretoria where thousands of women of all races marched to register their protest against the apartheid system. It is therefore a month that many women in the country look forward to, a time where women look forward to being acknowledged, honoured and appreciated. Unfortunately it is also a month where many find an opportunity to denounce feminism. And sadly it is not rare to hear some women emphasising how they are NOT feminists.

So I want to start this article by stating upfront that I AM a Feminist.

Feminism is defined as ‘the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social and economic equality to men’. Feminism is concerned about the state of women in society, how they are treated by those who hold any form of power. It is an undeniable fact that in most races and cultures power predominantly resides in the hands of men. A feminist is therefore any human being who is concerned that this power is being used to oppress women. A feminist is a humanitarian who believes in the equality of all of God’s created human beings. Anyone who cares about the dignity of others, who knows that their own dignity cannot obtained be at the expense of others … is a feminist. If you believe that differences in roles does not translate to a difference in status but merely defines relationship and responsibilities … then you, my friend, are a feminist. Anyone who has a mother, a sister, a grandmother, a wife or a daughter should be a feminist. Anyone who knows that true peace will only exists when ALL experience it, who respects the Creator who created ALL human life … should be a feminist.

Christians should make the best feminists. Black men, who have experienced the worst kind of structural and systemic oppression, should be the lead feminists. I believe Jesus was and still is the ultimate feminist.

Feminists know that a woman’s place is side by side, as an equal, to any human being around her, including men. Sadly many women, because of centuries of oppression and the need to survive, have bought into the idea that they are somehow less than men. It becomes the feminists’ role to then help educate and create awareness about this equality. Feminists know that women are fully fledged human beings who bleed when you strike them and blossom when you cherish them. Feminists also know that when a woman feels that she or her loved ones are in danger, she will become dangerous … hence the saying ‘wathint’abafazi wathint’imbokodo’ (you strike a woman you strike a rock).

Feminists don’t want to control men, they just don’t want to be controlled by men either. They want to control themselves, they want to own themselves mind, body and soul. Better yet, if they have to be controlled let it only be by God.

Do not buy into the propaganda … feminists are not men-hating, bra-burning, ugly androgynous lesbians, (that is just as narrow as thinking that political activists are terrorists). Yes, just like in the days of apartheid some of the oppressed were used as spies and infiltrators on behalf of the oppressors, there are some who call themselves feminists but are acting on behalf of the enemy to undermine efforts made and progress achieved.

Feminists are flesh and blood human beings who come in all shapes and sizes. They are beautiful, proud, dignified, strong, intelligent, progressive, loving, humble, respectful etc.

When I say I’m a feminist I am not hating on men … I am loving on women.

The enemy of feminism is not men. The enemy is those (yes, mainly men) who devalue women. It is those who at their core hate women and resent their progress. They resent the attention that women are now getting and also resent their own undeniable need for women. Haters of feminism are cowards who hide behind structures like culture and religion to perpetuate their evil. Only cowards will use their power to oppress those they know hold less power than them. Only cowards will deny another’s power just to boost their own. Only cowards will be threatened by the power that others inherently have.

Haters of feminism hate peace and they hate unity … they are the true terrorists.

Yes, I AM a Feminist … aren’t YOU?