Of equal worth
It seems like every couple months a 20-something celebrity dismisses the term 'feminist' and then there's this uproar from talking heads about what it means to be a feminist and why that 20-something celebrity should definitely apologize or definitely not apologize.
On a related note, I like writing about the power of girls and this unique time in history when women are more and more able to show leadership skills and to demonstrate abilities that weren't allowed or appropriate before. Specifically, it's exciting to see so many young women taking leadership roles in the Middle East, where it is sometimes the case that both women and girls are marginalized and handicapped by forces that prevent them from even learning to read.
I like writing about these things and sometimes people ask me if that means I'm a feminist, and like a few 20-something celebrities, I am confused and disappointed in the widespread hatred of that word.
You see, some people hear feminist and associate it with anger and resentment towards men, women who think men shouldn't open doors for them or who refuse to wear makeup or dresses. I guess it makes sense that a lot of women don't want to be associated with that, but the funny thing is, the same sentiment was applied when women were trying to get the vote.
The same sort of tired jokes about how strong, opinionated women can't also be attractive were all over the suffrage movement, almost 100 years ago.
The real definition of feminism includes the word equality. And so I guess that's why it doesn't hold the negativity for me that it does for so many other women. Do I want social, economic, and political equality for women all around the world? Yes. But it is important to note that equal worth doesn't mean sameness, it doesn't meant that men aren't important to the lives of women, or that the beautiful partnership God created between men and women in marriage is somehow inherently unfair. It means I am of equal worth in the eyes of Jesus, and hopefully one day in the eyes of society. It means that I should get paid as much as anyone else doing my same job. It means my opinion and my thoughts are of equal importance of my male peers. I don't think that's controversial. And I think if we stopped arguing about semantics, most sensible people would agree with the sentiment.
I supposed this is important to me, because I want junior high and high school girls to see their equal worth. And to be able to express themselves and make mistakes and not believe the lie that to be a "good girl" is to be quiet or to be subdued. That the attention of boys doesn't determine your worth, and that it isn't okay to give them power in that way. I wish someone had told me those things. That's why I feel these discussions are important, and why I wish more 20-something celebrities, who so many young girls look up to, could express this in an empowering way. So yes, I am a feminist, and you probably are too.