Feminism

Rant. This'll get hate, I guarantee it.

He tells us he hates feminism-

Then asks us if we're feminists.

We glance at one another, swallowing.

He is a friend. So, we go, following

along with everyone else, and say

"Of course not," because, what else

would we say 

to people we respect?

At home I sit, and wonder what it means

To be a feminist, to agree with such things.

My father asks me if I'm 'triggered', day after day,

After making a sexist remark, aimed my way.

Feminist this, feminist that-

Men and women are alike, all that.

There are crazies everywhere,

feminist or not-

really, I just want a shot. 

To be heard, without being mocked or criticized-

stop laughing at me, Dad, look at me in the eyes

I can't understand how you don't get it

I'm a female and told not to be proud of it

What is feminism? No, really.

I can't understand how the term got so dirty,

turning from something good into a mental illness,

ruining it for everyone,

guess that's business 

I can't say I'm a feminist without people rolling their eyes,

I can't say I love women without people glaring by my side,

They ask why I hate men, I respond that I don't-

but women deserve more than just the right to vote.

At school, I stay silent, while they mock the girls,

We all look at one another, feeling sick- we curl our toes-

knowing that some people take it too far,

on either side

but we're letting it slide,

letting them speak as we step to the side-

I can't say I'm a feminist without feeling divided,

I think men are great, in all shapes and sizes-

I think that we all deserve a shot, no matter what

I think that women are great, and have gone through a lot-

I don't think that men or women are better-

I don't think that that's the point, though, is it?

If a woman says that girls are great,

there will always be some males, saying

women should appreciate 

the men more, show them all some more respect-

tell them that boys are good, as well, not just the other sex.

If a man says that boys are great,

there will always be some females, saying

men should appreciate

the women more, show them all some more respect-

tell them that girls are good, as well, not just the other sex.

We are running in circles, my friends and enemies.

We'll never get anywhere this way, tell me, please:

Can I be a feminist without being triggered or angry?

I'm not being sexist, I just want some equality-

I want to stand up for my own gender,

but it's getting pretty hard with all the weight I'm under-

Don't do things in the name of feminism that aren't equality-

Don't hate on men because they're men,

Don't hate on feminists because they're feminists,

Stop hating on people,

start looking for the good-

Feminism is supposed to be about equality-

not women being the greater good.

Author's Note

Please, do not criticize this because you're anti-feminism or whatnot. This is a personal opinion. There are many 'feminists' who hate men (which I think is wrong) but also many feminists who think men are great and just want to stand up for other girls.

Don't judge someone based on if they say they are a feminist or not, judge them based on how they treat you- kindly or not. That's what matters.

Reviews

[Jules_is_book_obsessed_..]

I totally agree! Intersectional and inclusive feminism is the way to go!! Wonderful piece :)

[Madame Murrell]

This was a great poem with so much truth to it. Whenever I admit to others that I embrace feminism many give me awful stares as if I just admitted to being a serial killer. If you believe women should have equal respect and opportunities as men then that would make you a feminist. People put so much anger into a label which I find ridiculous. It's just a label

[Decidious wind]

This is so true and relatable. In my country whenever i tell people that im feminist i find them suddenly offended.