Are you a Fake Feminist? Here’s How You Might Inadvertently Be Enabling Misogynistic Behavior Around You
Ever found yourself furiously typing away a reply at an internet troll’s sexist joke? Have you taken a moment to reflect on how you might have reacted if it was the same ill-intended joke made by a close friend of yours? Most people choose not to retaliate, and therein lies the problem. Let’s take a thoughtful deep dive into this topic. Read on!
Silence in the Face of Daily Misogyny
We often tend to engage our time and effort into larger, global issues.
While this isn’t incorrect, it must also be noted that often, the misogynistic situations we deal with don’t necessarily have to be restricted to global politics or movements, and can begin by simply retaliating at a family dinner when someone makes a frustrating remark like, “She should stop working, she’s married now!”
This is especially important when the comments are made by people you would hesitate to confront, like friends and partners. Correcting problematic behaviors and directing positive conversation are a crucial part of the feminist movement.
Ignoring Misogynistic Undertones
What might seem like a harmless phrase or piece of media might have dangerous undertones of sexism.
Have you ever thought about what role women primarily play in Indian movies? Often, it is restricted to being the “love-interest” of the main male character, devoid of personality and contribution to the plot. This might falsely influence impressionable people to overlook the importance of women in daily life and their personal journeys.
So, what do we do? We must critically analyze the content we come across. The Bechdel test is a good measure of the representation of women in visual media. The test asks whether a work features at least two female characters who have a conversation about something other than a man. While some view this as problematic, it is by far a widely used test to measure the feminist quality of a movie or show.
Phrases rooted in sexism are also a common part of several languages (here’s a good read!). Working to eliminate such vocabulary being used in a derogatory way is essential to respect women.
There is also a powerful component in reclaiming such words; when suppressed minorities use such terminologies, they are in control of the narrative. Read about how this feisty word has been reclaimed in the modern times!
Dismissing Intersectionality
Feminism, in reality, is about everyone. It fundamentally aims to fight the patriarchal nature of society, and in dismissing this truth, we fail to see the whole picture.
By ignoring queer folks, ethnic minorities, religious groups, distant nationalities, and different economic classes, we dismiss a large part of the world that needs to be heard. It is essential that we respond with the same enthusiasm and dedication to voices that are not just from the community that we belong to. This attitude enables the possibility of genuine change.
We can do this by educating ourselves and being aware about current affairs. Take a look at our comprehensive Sex Ed Library for starters!
Further Reading
While labeling oneself as a “feminist” is undoubtedly something to be proud of, we should aim to update our knowledge and be aware of our duties and responsibilities of bearing this label. Ultimately, it is essential to be knowledgeable and educate our friends and family.
Here is a list of some thought provoking write-ups!
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1 thought on “Are you a Fake Feminist? Here’s how to tell”
This is one of my favourite piece on PS blog. Made me think! And, I do agree, despite wanting/knowing myself to be a feminist, I lack a lot 😂