POETRY

Feminism

Image credit: Guido Baron via Pixabay

As an artist, I feel that one of my missions is to broach touchy topics.

Like any other woman in the world, I have had to deal with nasty comments, inappropriate gestures and insults. I have also experienced discrimination and harassment in the workplace. I could go on and on, but it is not the point of my post.

While there have been many improvements in the way women are seen in society, especially in Europe and Canada, the road to equality is still paved with pitfalls. And it is not just some men’s fault. Women are also responsible for the status quo.

Feminism is a vital movement. Without it, I would not be able to blog or post my photography anywhere. I would have no voice in society. And my life would have been limited to getting married, having children, and doing household chores all day.

I am grateful for all the women (and men) who have worked so hard to allow me to lead my life the way I want.

Unfortunately, every movement has its extremists. Feminism is no exception.

There are women who see the world in black and white — “me” vs. “them”. Women for whom verbal fights are the only solutions to achieve equality. They cannot accept disagreements and will take attempts at opening their minds as personal attacks. In a nutshell, it is just “my way or the highway” with them.

The problem with that attitude, is that it destroys all the work previous generations have done. It alienates allies and makes it harder for true feminists to be taken seriously.

The poem below is a jab at extremist feminism.

FEMINISM

They say that your pronoun defines your strength,
That a “she” cannot equate a “he”.
I’m sorry but I beg to differ.
An extra letter has a lot to offer.

They say that equality is a fight,
That prejudice deserves bigotry.
I’m sorry but I beg to differ.
There is more to life than hatred for the sinner.

They say that man is the enemy,
That his fear curbs social progress.
I’m sorry but I beg to differ.
Ignorance is not the prerogative of one gender.

The problem these days
Is simple and yet so real.
Our anger has blinded us.
Our teenage angst has deafened us.
We…