Why I Became a Feminist, Pt. 9

by Guest Blogger

Why Am I A Feminist?

I live in America. America is based around capitalism. Capitalism is all about money. Women, men, children, all trying to look their “best,” buying anything and everything for the sake of being in fashion, or “fitting in.” But what are we “fitting in” to?

As humans we are bound to name everything, every shape, every color, texture, smell, right down to the smallest electron. From the moment we are born we’re classified; Male/Female, Green/Brown/White/Yellow, Atheist/Follower, Blind/Handicapped. Everything about you is judged. Nothing gets left behind, not even the thoughts in your head can be exposed without someone criticizing you. We are put into boxes, little boxes and discriminated against our whole life, based upon an idea that is associated with us. But not only are we judged by others, we judge ourselves. Constantly.

We try and fit ourselves into these standards of beauty that have been with us for so long, people don’t even question them anymore. When asked in my Sociology class what the “Ideal Woman” was, my fellow students came up with, “Sensitive, caring, quiet, passive, innocent yet experienced, and last but not least, 36-24-36.”Um, yeah, I’m pretty sure Barbie isn’t even that great. But as ridiculous as this may seem, this is everywhere. These picture perfect women and men are being mimicked by society and are the basis of our culture. We need standards, without them, our economy would come to a halt, which may or may not be a great thing…

I am so sick of our society and how everybody has self conscious ideas about themselves, and there is always a chance of being tormented, or discriminated against, and not being granted the chance to speak their mind freely. Humans just need to realize that we are all the same, genetically that is, and all anybody really wants to do is live peacefully, and if that, that simple idea gets through everybody’s little head, than maybe, just maybe, can we talk about ideas that are really important. Like how to live peacefully with nature, or converse through the language of math.

Ergo, I am a feminist.

I’m twenty, I don’t wear makeup, I hate shaving, high heels can kiss my ass, my hair is shorter than my brother’s and is always dirty/messy, I am beautiful, I am strong, I am a Mathematician, Vegetarian/Vegan, Humanist, Philosopher, and a Woman.

That is all.

Peace and Love,
Alix

—-

The “Why I Became a Feminist” series is open to anyone who identifies as feminist and wants to share their story. Please email me at rottenlittlegirls @ gmail.com and I will consider publishing your piece in this series. I’d love to have a broad range of voices and experiences.

Check out the rest of the series!