Feminism has been portrayed as such an ugly word.
Most men keep babbling on how feminism is so wrong and how it is not needed, especially in developed countries.
Quite interesting how so many men feel offended and threatened when women fight for equal rights to actually start taking place, for women to finally be treated as equals, as having the same rights as men.
But, after all, it is standard procedure. When oppressed people try to fight for their rights, the oppressor usually feels threatened.
And, thus, we have the #notallmen's, we have the "you're a feminazi, ugly lesbian, men hater...yadda yadda yadda...shut your face or I'll make you", and so many fucktards insulting, harassing, and intimidating any woman that dares to defend the preposterous idea that women should have the same liberties and rights as men, as is legislated.
Recently, in Portugal, a law was changed so as to defend people (adults, adolescents, children) from sexual harassment (verbal and otherwise) in the street.
However, as it can be applied to cat calling, you can imagine the <insert loads of sarcasm> wonderful, loving and caring words </sarcasm> that so many men have been posting.
From "if any of you file a report to the authorities, I will rape you" and "these whores are stripping us from our rights as men" to "women will only get AIDS, if they try to fight us when we rape them".
I've read them all.
I recently became a more active member of women's rights, I am a feminist (as are so many women and men throughout the world), and it is scary how many psychopathic creeps you find everywhere, both online and offline.
I get approached on social networks on public posts on through my inbox by men I don't know from Adam with the purpose of harassing me.
For the past few days, a man was insulting, harassing and intimidating women on a post (on a feminist page; he didn't dare to address other men there).
I commented how that kind of behaviour was pathetic. The guy simply reported me.
Interesting, as he was the one insulting, harassing and intimidating people there.
I guess my calling him out on his improper behaviour hurt his fragile sexist, misogynistic ego.
Please, understand that feminism is not the exact opposite to machismo. Feminists don't hate men. Feminists defend the rights of those oppressed by the patriarchy.
Lets face it: men are also victims. When you are told that men don't cry... That is abuse!
You are human! You have feelings and emotions! You are a person and you should feel free to express yourself as you see fit, and that includes crying.
And I can think of so many other examples!
The patriarchal society is negative for both men and women.
Feminists fight for women's rights, yes. But also for black people's rights, for men's rights, for the rights of the LGBTQIA community, and for anything that is not working for one or all of us.
We know not all men are bad, we know that men are also raped and attacked within relationships.
We are aware of it.
We fight for your right to stand up and fight for not being victims as well.
We are not minimizing your experiences, we are not denying them.
We are not saying all men do this.
We are saying this has to stop, for men and for women.
We are saying one gender is not better than nor above the other, that one sexual orientation is not better than nor above the other.
We, feminists, are saying that women ought to feel safe to go out, wearing whatever clothes they want, whatever the time or place, whatever their job, whatever they drink, without wondering if they'll be harassed, raped and killed.
We are saying to stop blaming the victims, and start addressing the real guilty ones: the rapists. Rape is about anger, about hate, about control.
When society blames the victims, they are placing the responsibility of preventing rapes solely on women. Which means, society does not trust men, hormone ridden fellows, not to rape women because, apparently, you lack any sense of self-control.
You can understand how bad it is?!?
And then there's the notion of being self-entitled. People!, women don't owe you sex. Not even if you observe standard civilized behaviour.
You don't expect other men to fuck you because you are polite, correct?
You only have sex with women (using women because this pertains to women being killed by men they reject) when you are attracted to those women, right? You fall in love and date women that appeal to you, right? And, even then, only if they correspond to your ideal women, correct?
Well, with women the same principles apply. If we're not attracted to you, we won't be inclined to date you.
Most men won't take no for an answer, even if told, straightforwardly, that we're not interested.
Most women will be afraid and feel uncomfortable and will start avoiding these men.
Please, move on. There will be someone interested in you, no matter your opinion of yourself. You will find this person.
Don't make yourself a nuisance, don't be a stalker. Leave the women alone. Move on.
You can also tell other men to cut it out, when you see them being disrespectful in regards to women, banalising rape through "dark humour jokes", harassing or intimidating women.
You won't be less of a man if you do it.
On the contrary, you will be more respected.
