Be aware that a halo has to fall only a few inches to be a noose.
-Dan McKinnon
Women are stealing our clothes. Remember when women first started wearing pants? I can imagine the scene the first time it happened. If I had been around then, I would have been among the crowd vociferously encouraging her to proceed, one leg at a time, toward freedom for her kind. I believe in equality as much as the next person. As such I think it is wonderful that women are storming male bastions everywhere. Unfortunately, having entered the stronghold, a lot of feminists seem to want to expel men. While I am a strong advocate of women wearing trousers, I firmly draw the line when they start making pants that men are not allowed to wear. Today, if I see a pair of light blue jeans in my waist size (28 inches) with the nice big flares at the end and pretty embroidery along the sides, I cannot buy it. They are ladies' jeans. It is a little unfair, don't you think?
Every feminist organization speaks of fighting for equality of women. That is wonderful. I'm all for it. So why aren't men allowed to wear skirts? Shouldn't feminists, who desire equality above all, be advocating my right to wear that lovely tie-dye sarong I saw in the window of Mt. Nebo's? Why do guys always have to wear grey and black and brown and navy blue, while women escape with all the pretty colors, the pinks and greens and oranges and yellows?
It doesn't just stop with clothes either. You will not believe the kind of heat I got for crying when I watched I Am Sam. I am certain that every available synonym of the word wussie was exhausted at my expense. Having used up the available supply, fresh adjectives were created to commemorate the occasion. I fear I will live forever in history as the first man to be called mommy's widdle booshgaboosh. Right by my side, this girl was weeping like a soda fountain, but she got hugged and snuggled and cuddled and comforted. You'd think her dog had been run over or a family member was sick or her fingernail had broken or something.
That was supposed to tie in somehow as an introduction to the more serious topic of feminism. Fittingly enough, starting with the best intentions, it wound up becoming an annoying rant.
The trouble with the feminist movement is that though it started with wonderful ideals and championed a truly praiseworthy cause, it has now greatly degenerated into a man-hater's club. Before all the feminists out there start running to their computers and dashing off angry e-mails to me, let me explain.
Feminism in its true essence is really beautiful. For example, the National Organization for Women states that its goal is to bring about equality for women, to eradicate discrimination, violence, racism, sexism and homophobia and to promote equality and justice in our society. What that boils down to is that feminism is about equality and freedom for all. It is NOT about hating men or seeing some grand male scheme of domination in every little turn of phrase (when will women understand that men aren't smart enough to make grand schemes). It is more -so much more -than a fight for political correctness. It is about bringing about a change in the way people think, in bringing recognition of a woman's ability to stand for herself. It is about teaching men to love and respect women as equals; it is NOT about cowing them down and making their lives miserable.
Women are capable of achieving huge things, wonderful things. They are every bit as powerful as men, maybe more. Thus, we see women earning great success in every field. Sadly, however, a lot of women end up taking on more than any human being can possibly handle. It is one in a billion who can handle a highly demanding career, a healthy marriage, maintain a perfect figure and be a good mother, all at once. In this attempt to have it all, everyone suffers. Relationships go downhill, children feel neglected and become psychologically messed up, and the woman herself gets stressed out, loses all peace of mind and winds up being miserable.
How is such a woman better off than the women of the 1800s? Both are miserable, tortured and have lost control of their lives. People need to learn to balance their lives in such a way that they are most productive, while maintaining their poise and stability of mind. In our frantic attempts to achieve more success in more spheres of life, we lose out on happiness and peace. What do we have to show for it all? A cute pair of ladies' jeans and a bottle of anti-depressants.
-Bhaskar Raman is a graduate student in journalism who wishes people wouldn't stare at him when he walks down Court Street in his orange sweater and rainbow colored hat. Send him e-mail at bhaskar.raman.@ohiou.edu.
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