Just because the surface
is clear doesn't mean the underlying current is. Yes it is great for
people to speak up for women’s rights and debunk the stigma surrounding the
terms feminism and feminist. But to only take part in or notice of the fight when a
celebrity has given a speech and go back to doing nothing when the hype dies
down is an affront to women everywhere.
It is insulting to act as
though women's rights only matter when endorsed by a celebrity. The fact that
some people are only willing to get behind a cause because it's attached to a
celebrity and for as long as it is prominent in the media is sad. Women's right
to equality is worth more than a celebrity endorsement; our lives are not
marketable commodities. Our rights to equality and to be taken seriously are
not on par with shampoo, cat food and coffee.
Do you have any idea how
heartbreaking it is to tell people how they are hurting you, themselves or
others and be dismissed only to see those same people take notice when someone
they don't even know personally tells them the exact same thing. How depressing
it is that your opinion is seemingly worth less to those who care about you
than that of a stranger.
If people need celebrity
endorsement to understand or share the importance of human rights then this
planet is seriously more screwed up than most realise. People should know that
equality and in this case specifically feminism are important because they are
female or know females. It should not only be important for as long as the hype
of a celebrity's speech is in the media. It should not only be important simply
because of fame period. It is more than acceptable to speak out without the
need of someone holding your hand. If you are only sharing because 'OMG it's XXX'
you are missing the point of this important issue. This is an issue that needs
to be addressed and noticed every single day because we live in the 21st
century and it's long overdue that women are treated equal to men. The general
public may not have fame but by ignoring the message because it doesn't come
from someone famous is insulting to everyone trying to make this world a better
place. Our voices are just as important. Our struggles just as significant.
This needs to be important every day because if only celebrity's comments are
treated as important than it diminishes the overall importance of the cause.
Take a stand not because a celebrity told you to but because it is the right
thing to do. Be part of the solution every day, not just when it’s made trendy
to do so.
And if you think it is
easy being a feminist out of the limelight think again. I may not have
experienced anything as serious as death or rape threats but I deal with
harassment and rudeness on a regular basis for voicing my beliefs and standing up for my rights.
· I have been accused of soap boxing
· I have been told I take things too seriously and
read too much into everything
· I have been told I'm a man hater
· It's been assumed I must be gay
· I have been told too many times: ‘that’s just how it
is’, ‘it was just a joke’, ‘you’re only one person’, ‘why don’t you just stop’
Human rights are
something I have been passionate about since I was three. Respect, equality
& self-worth are infinitely important to me. And yet people still attack me
over my beliefs and praise celebrities for saying the exact same thing. How
does that even make sense! To mock, hate or ignore feminism is to perpetuate
the problem. The fact that equality and feminism still offends people or is
something to be complacent about is an insult to females everywhere.
Quit being a sheep, open
your eyes, dig deeper, see beyond the surface and fight for equality because it
is the humane thing to do. Take equality seriously, it's not a fad or something
to forget about when the media buzz wears off. Women you are worth it. Men you
have women in your lives. Stand up for them, stand with them and speak
out!
