During the month of March, we asked the women on our platform to write and submit articles that can help enlighten us about issues particular to women. An Nina is the only one who showed up. We did not publish her article at the time for reasons which should not be discussed today.
On the occasion of her birthday, we are sharing her article with you.
Before you continue reading, comment with "Happy Birthday Nina"
Date: 4 March 2019 Hour: 4.30PM
[ feminism /ˈfem.ɪ.nɪ.z ə m/ noun [ U ]
The belief that women should be allowed the same rights and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way, or the set of activities intended to achieve this state. ] - Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 3rd Edition
#TaxiGist Boy: …that’s why I’ve always said that all these frustrated women who call themselves feminists should just submit so that they can be considered by boys like us. You di vex with man pikin talk say you want ya rights dem den for back-back you di want secretly rush better man pikin dem; no be frustration dat?
Girl: Aswear ya. Na why dat weh a di ever tell da ma friend dem weh dem di claim Feminism say make dem fes go giv girl belleh before dem want talk da ting for ma front. If wuna dong tayah man pikin dem, wuna lef dem for we abeg. Baluck say Feminism.
(Laughter in the cab)
Driver: Asseh, na who be talk say ei di drop for UB junction here?
Me: Na me oh! Sorry! Drop me. THE END?
Let me be clear: if you seek some ‘jihad’ or ‘fatwa’ against Feminism, take several seats, unlearn what you know …and learn. Feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.
Some of its synonyms include: the women’s movement, the feminist movement, women’s liberation, female emancipation, women’s rights… Logical deduction therefore makes a supporter of feminism, a (pro-)feminist. Prominent (pro-) feminists include: the Suffragettes, Coretta Scott King, Maya Angelou, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Malala Yousafzai, (some brothers out there), Barack Obama, Will Smith…
With such a definition, coupled to the fact that the equality of the sexes (better known these days as Gender Equality) is an SDG, it is hard to believe that women are shamed for being feminists. Indeed, Feminism Shaming is so rife on our Social Media platforms that there is a tendency of girls disavowing Feminism, shaming fellow ladies who are feminists, seeking men’s approval, dwelling in the safety of neutrality. It’s a shame because “We Should All Be Feminists”.
Nowhere was it mentioned that being a feminist meant giving up our female status. We are XX. Under different clouds, this fact we can’t change nor have control over (from conception and birth), condemns us, limits us, stereotypes us! Nowhere was it mentioned that feminists are bitter women, frustrated women, lazy women, nagging, reckless, entitled … Feminists are advocates. It was Feminism that gave women the right:
* to vote, not because it was a petty whim, but because women should have the right to choose their leaders too;
* to wear trousers, not because of some fashion caprice, but because we tried them and saw the comfort they could offer in those times we wanted to make long strides or other limb gymnastics that would otherwise be impossible with skirts;
* to travel in aircrafts without the express written authorisations of our fathers and husbands, as if we were toddlers who didn’t know better;
* to occupy high-rank jobs (not just the usual secretary, waitress, seamstress, cook…) and to be paid the same salaries as our male counterparts because we too have the required intellectual faculties.
It took years of blood, sweat and words to get some of us here. Wherefrom, therefore did Feminism equate to empty noise-making, male diminishing, feminine discarding and attention seeking? Instead of shaming, why don’t you relearn and educate, now that you know what Feminism really stands for? Instead of condemning and shamming Feminism, why don’t you become an ambassador of a movement that benefits women …and men?
If you choose to stick with the wrong (and ill-intended) definition of Feminism, congratulations, you are the problem; don’t go around wishing the ladies “Happy Women’s Day” because you don’t get it. Stop tainting us (feminists); stop trying to fix us, we’re not broken.
In Drake’s lyrics I’ll borrow:
We’re the big homies, y’all still tryina lil girl us Like we should fall in line, like we should ask y’all When we’re about to drop something amazing And not say we’re the awesome legacy of the first generation of feminists Like we should be dressing different Like we should be less aggressive and pessimistic Like we should be way more nervous and less dismissive Like we should be on our best behaviour and not talk our shit And do it major like the sisters who paved the way for us Like we didn't study the game to the letter And understand that we’re not doin' it the same Yo, we’re doing it better Like we didn't make that clearer before Like we should feel, I don't know, guilty for saying that… Unapologetically here to stay for a long time; take our hand and let’s do this.
(Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2 – Drake feat. Jay-Z)
- An Nina