♂ = ♀

For the past few days a bunch of people have been coming to me to ask if I'm a 'hardcore feminist' or making jokes about how women belong in the kitchen.
I find this quite infuriating and I hope this blog entry clarifies some things about feminism.
Yes, I am a feminist and I am proud to be one.
But I really don't think people understand what feminism is.
Although it has the femi- at the beginning of the word, feminism is not believing women are superior to men. That's called sexism. Men can be sexist. Women can be sexist too.
Feminism is believing both genders are equal. Feminism is against sexism. 

Once, I was told that there is no need for feminism anymore. By a male.
Here are a few reasons I need feminism: (these do not apply to everything do not take them personally...unless they apply to you)

• Men are passing laws about abortion. I'm sorry but unless they have a womb and can carry a baby in themselves for 9 months I don't think they're ones to make choices about this. 
• When a man is involved with many women he is looked up to, but when a women is involved with many men she is considered promiscuous and not in a good way. 
• Rape. Women are blamed for getting raped. We are expected to not wear revealing clothing but the rapist is not expected to have self control. 
• The female body is overly sexualised.
• Most women are expected to cook, know how to clean a house and do chores, be sweet and polite, and to look good.
• I'm not allowed to wear shorts in school because it's deemed inappropriate, by, guess who, men. 
• I have to watch what I wear or the way I sit because of social standards. 
• I am also expected to take very good care of my hygiene but it's okay for a guy to stink of sweat all year and wear the same clothes every day. 
• Women are considered weak for showing emotions. 
• Women who do not want to do what a male wants are considered crazy, rude, or arrogant.
• Men are insulted when they are called 'girls' or swear words which have female meanings. 
• Most leaders of countries are male. Most politicians are male. 
• The song 'Blurred Lines'. Do not watch the video. 

And the list goes on. 

I understand if people are joking to me about male superiority. I sometimes make sexist jokes myself. But that's all they are. Jokes. Sexism is a sick joke. But not everybody realizes it's there. 

I hope this is at least slightly helpful in understanding why I'm a feminist and why it's nothing to be made fun of. 

Cheerio.