A common refrain heard among young women and men goes a little something like this: "I believe in equal rights for men and women, but ... "
I bet you can finish that sentence. They wouldn't call themselves feminists, per se. The word feminist brings about archaic images of bra-burning, man-hating and all-around unappealing women. It has become denigrated, deemed too exclusive and trampled on by people who don't want to see it thrive.
Today, women seem to be making leaps and bounds everywhere, so what's the big deal? They represent about 57 percent of students at college and one-third of Supreme Court justices. An article from a major magazine this past summer even told us that it was "The End of Men," as more than half of the work force is composed of women.
It's inarguable that we really have come a long way. On that track, some say that feminists are feeling victimized for no reason (i.e. Sarah Palin, you might have heard of her). It's socially and politically incorrect to not be a proponent of women's rights, so it's largely ceased to be a part of our daily dialogue.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sexism still comes in many guises. The 76 cents that women make to men still doesn't add up to a dollar, and we all know that any magazine you open will show unhealthy and unrealistic images of women. Even on progressive college campuses like UF, women's rights are often equated with the punchline of a joke. And did you know only 17 out of 100 senators are women?
We still have a ways to go, and I have a lot to write about.
So, now you're likely thinking of me as a man-hating, scary feminazi. But let me clear up some misconceptions. Wanting women to be equal doesn't mean stealing away men's power. Wanting women to be respected and not cat-called, even if they're wearing a mini-skirt, doesn't make me overly sensitive.
I'm Annie Boggs, and I'm a feminist. In this blog, I will raise the consciousness of these issues and more in a clear and hopefully witty way. Welcome to The F Word.
