This Is What A Feminist Looks Like

Feminism: the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.

The arrival of the ‘Oompa Loompa’-looking loon we all refer to as Trump has really made me think – is this world really an equal place? After decades of fighting over women’s rights, black rights and gay rights, I’ve realised that this world is still full of sexist, racist and homophobic people. Everyone looks at Trump as if he is the only bad guy in this world, but the truth is, he’s the only bad guy that’s getting publicity. I feel as if every past march, protest and riot has gone to waste due to the fact that these things are still happening today.

The recent women’s march was a worldwide phenomenon, not just in Trumpland. Raging yet determined women have gathered to protest for their equal rights and freedom. I remember meeting somebody once who claimed that she was the biggest feminist that I would ever meet, but one thing she felt very strongly about was the fact that she didn’t believe that men could be feminists too. I understand and accept that everyone is entitled to their own voice and opinion, but hearing this made me question whether she was going against her own word and what a true feminist means – equality of the sexes. Not only did thousands of women march for their rights, but men also came out in support. Fathers, brothers, husbands, partners, sons, friends – these men want to see women keep the hard-won freedom that they deserve. The days of women being seen as the “weaker” sex have long since passed.

Trump’s comments on women’s appearance make me feel physically sick, and I cannot begin to explain to you how irritated he makes me feel. Everyone, men and women, come in all different shapes and sizes. Models aren’t examples of what every woman should look like, but according to him, “You know, it really doesn’t matter what the media write as long as you’ve got a young, and beautiful, piece of a**”. Can you believe that the President of the US says such things? Women have brains – get over it. We have boobs – get over it. We have curves – get over it. We have female genitalia – GET OVER IT! I don’t know why he thinks that he has the power to manipulate and change the ways of the world. He is the elected head of a republican state for god’s sake! No wonder people are comparing him to Hitler.

Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Barrack Obama, Mahatma Ghandi, Emily Davison – these legends fought for what we are still fighting for today. It’s incredible that people just cannot accept others for who they are. The world is full of opinionated people – nothing necessarily wrong with that but many of them don’t know when they’ve crossed the line between opinion and prejudice. Social media has a lot to answer for in this regard – people think they can say whatever they like, without fear of retribution.

I believe that this world will eventually be free of all antagonism and conflict. I cannot wait for that day to arrive but until then – Trump, understand and accept that THIS is what a feminist looks like!

“Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.”