Feminism Movement- Blog Post #1

Marissa Jackson

Comm-250

Blog Post #1

Feminist Movement

Feminism isn't just about women suffrage or reproductive rights. It's about equality for both men and women. Feminist movement also tries to reform issues like the Mestic violence you go pay sexual-harassment and sexual violence this movement doesn't just focus on problems in America. If other countries that suffer from female genital formulation. As well as the so-called glass ceiling in America and other countries. These are examples on how the feminist movement isn't have to be just for women. It doesn't happen so often but men can and do experience sexual harassment, sexual violence and domestic violence. In a poll by the Washington Post approximately 23% of men consider themselves to be feminists or is 43% of women consider themselves to be feminists. Feminism isn't and shouldn't just be seen as a women's only issue.

The exigence with feminism is that it is usually seen as being beneficial for women and cruelty towards men. Feminists are also seen as being bruit lesbians that hate men in general. When in reality a feminist can be anyone- man or woman- gay or straight. A rhetoric audience could also be anyone- anyone that’s willing to listen to those like Emma Watson, Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Beyonce, Madonna, and so many others. All of these women spread the Feminist word through song and influential speeches. Even famous men like Tom Hiddleston, Ryan Gosling, Mark Ruffalo believe in Feminism and working in the film industry, these men have witnessed what some of their female co-stars go through in order to (possibly) receive equal pay for their roles in movies and tv shows. Sometimes women in the movie industry have to do more nude or partially nude scenes three times more than their male co-stars.

One example of a constraint against Feminism is that growing up you never heard someone say, “Oh, girls will be girls.” Instead you heard, “ That’s not very lady-like” or “ young ladies don’t do that.” However, you always heard, “ Oh, boys will be boys,” or “ you throw like a girl.” Gender stereotypes help fuel the fire that is Feminism, because girls, boys, men, and women can throw a ball just as far as the other. Nowadays, middle school and high school girls are being blamed for being distractions for boys- by wearing what “used to” be considered casualwear. Whereas now, girls can’t wear leggings or yoga pants because boys can’t keep their hands to themselves, and the school system doesn’t want to educate them on sex and how no means no.

Speaking of no means no, the Women’s March on Washington wasn’t just a message for Donald Trump to go grab himself. It was a sign of unity for women and men all over the world. While doing this blog post, I visited the Women’s March website and their mission statement read:

“The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us - immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault - and our communities are hurting and scared. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear” (2017).

I thought this was truly ironic since I’m writing this blog post for a rhetoric based class and I’m a feminist- obviously. Doing the Women’s March in different cities and countries was an inventive way to show the unity and friendship among men and women from around the world. The arrangement of the Women’s March wasn’t like any march I’ve ever seen or heard of, the connection among feminists to march was made over social media and the word spread to walk the walk to Washington. The style of the Women’s March was pure, unadulterated strength. Having women like America Ferrera, Angela Davis, Ashley Judd, and Gloria Steinem speak at an event like this was truly memorable. I’ve seen Ashley Judd’s speech multiple times just because it spoke to the feministic fire within me. Feministic men like George Gresham, Michael Moore, Van Jones also appeared at the Women’s March on Washington to support those marching to the White House. The delivery of this message of unity and strength was performed downright historically as women years before them marched for women’s suffrage rights led by  Susan B. Anthony.

Logically, equal rights for men and women should’ve been established a long time ago instead of us still fighting for equal pay, reproductive rights, and sexual offenses like sexual harassment and sexual violence. Ethically, raping a man or woman shouldn’t even be thought of, but some people don’t know when no means no and when a line has been crossed. Unfortunately, these are still issues especially in today’s society, when some men or college boys don’t take responsibility for having a party with substances that could cause regret and mistakes. Some just blame the women or girls for not saying no while they’re unconscious or unable to talk while a hand is being held over their mouths and same goes for men who don’t have the strength to speak out. We are all human beings who deserve to be treated equally and respectfully and that’s why I’m a Feminist. I believe in the equal rights for men and women. When it comes to Feminism and equal rights for every gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and race will someday be fulfilled and an everyday part of life.