True or false: A feminist is someone who burns bras, hates men and has armpit hair long enough for dreadlocks. I realize midterms may have left some brains a bit fritzed out, so I'll help you out with this one. The statement is undoubtedly false ' but the stereotype has skewed our perceptions so much that this is the image we associate with feminists. Not only this, but we assume that the opposite of this image, the girl who colors her hair and doesn't walk out the door without make-up, cannot possibly hold any thoughts of empowering women.
How could they? After all, these are the girls that will either marry rich or sleep their way to the top. If they can't do either, they will find themselves behind some desk answering phones and clicking their manicures against a keyboard for eight hours a day. At least, that's been the general idea.
Shows like Sex and the City and the newer Lipstick Jungle are all about the women who are both experts on eye shadow and are professional powerhouses. Stars like Ashley Judd wear shirts reading This is what a feminist looks like. Yet, the girl who worships no man besides Steve Madden or Michael Kors is accused of hurting the cause and taking every woman back two steps, while the girl who does everything in her power to fight the mold made for us by society is given kudos for feminism, but is instantly labeled as a lesbian. Why are there two sides to what should be the same camp? Shall we blame the man?
We'll come back to that one. Next question. Women get dressed up for class for a) that guy they just started dating or b) that girl that always shoots dirty looks. Having trouble with that one? Think about this, girls. Is your boyfriend really going to notice that one stray hair on your eyebrow? Will he ever comment that your cuticles need a good clipping? If he does, you should probably take a good look at that relationship. On the other hand, how many times have you told your best friend about your archenemy, but attacked something about her looks instead of her actions? How many times has the sentence, You wouldn't believe this girl G? ended in, Well
at least I wear clothes that actually fit me. You should've seen those jeans G?
Could we blame the man? I'm sure we could. We could talk about how oppressed we are, how we get paid less or how we're constantly being judged by our looks. Then, we could get in that girl's face for spilling a drink on us in the overcrowded bar and call her a slut for wearing that top in this weather, even though it really is a cute top and it fits her perfectly.
Are we really for the empowering of women, or just women like us? Is it fair to blame this patriarchal society for our woes? Of course it is. Problem is, we're not going to have a very good argument if we're too busy tearing each other apart. It's nice and all to get together once in a while and rally in support of our sisters everywhere, but it's like the grandparent you only visit every other holiday. Do you really care, or do you just feel obligated?Chenee Castruita is a junior journalism major. Send her an e-mail at cc282705@ohiou.edu.
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Chenee Castruita
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Chenee Castruita
