Dear Modern Feminists: So This Is What You’re Saying?
A lot of proud liberal parents are wondering why their liberal daughters (like me) have turned on their ideals in one specific area of the liberal agenda: feminism. Let me explain. You see, we were brought up to value equality, and the modern feminist movement sounds nothing like it. Further, modern feminism is vastly unfair to men, while also denigrating the accomplishments of independent, free-thinking women. While I agree that women have yet to reach their full potential in many areas, and while I don’t object to reasonable protection, legislation, and support, the demands I hear modern feminists making are neither reasonable nor rational. In fact, the entire movement seems focused on perpetuating the illusion of great disadvantage so as to profit those women who have poured their life’s efforts into an ideology that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. In sum, these are the arguments I hear modern feminists making, and as a human being who strives to live by the light of reason, I cannot possibly accept them:
1. We are just as strong as men, yet we need men to escort us or avoid us when we’re alone because all men are potential rapists.
2. We are just as smart as men, yet we need affirmative action programs in order to show it.
3. We are just as capable as men, yet we need feminist men to defend us and speak on our behalves.
4. We stand in solidarity with all women, yet we’re willing to defame and destroy those women who are successful without us or who dare to disagree with us. (In fact, when possible, we prefer getting the feminist men to do it. )
5. We have the same interests as men, so when we don’t seem interested in typically male pastimes, it’s the men’s fault for being such misogynists.
6. We are just as powerful as men, yet we are perpetual victims. If a woman is not aware of her perpetual victimhood, we will shame her into admitting it, since ours is the only way to think.
7. We decry sexism, but value paternalism.
8. We advocate for equality and social justice, as long as everyone realizes that we are more important than anyone else.
9. We are fully-actualized, independent human beings who do not ever need to take responsibility for our own actions.
10. We are creatures of reason, yet we find disagreement too “triggering” to deal with.
And yes, I know that I just don’t “get it,” but I don’t.