Why Feminism is Never Out of Date

I’m a white male, age 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me, no matter how dumb my suggestions are – Homer Simpson

 

Personally, I could not be more privileged. I am a straight white male. If you want to discriminate against me, you’re gonna have to start calling me specky. I am in a good position when it comes to physical traits that cannot be changed. This doesn’t mean that I, or anyone else in my position, or anyone who is in the exact opposite of my position, cannot identify as a feminist. Sure, women have the vote. Yeah, they are allowed to show their ankles now without being labelled too much of a harlot. I can’t, however, think of a year that has passed where feminism has not been necessary; where some sort of activism has not been needed  to show that women are still treated poorly, or that women are dictated to about their issues by men, or that they are somehow blamed for things that happen to them.

Issue 95

All stats on page 9 from the Refugee Welcome Trust.

Cia Jackson on Feminism, Call of Duty and Hotpants

I discovered a dirty word over summer. A word that’s seemingly so offensive that it’s thus far gotten me into more trouble than the time when I asked, “Mummy, what’s a cu-“ at the age of 8. The word in question? Feminist.

I’ll be honest. I’d been a closet feminist for some time before eventually joining writer Caitlin Moran’s army of strident feminists. I enjoy having the vote and “control over my vagina”. But I also know that there are other issues that need discussing: equal pay, abortion, the way society treats lesbians, how we react towards rape victims – hell, the way my fellow feminists are portrayed. We can’t leave it to Lady GaGa and her questionable sexuality to promote our views.