Feminist Feature

BASIC MAGAZINE

it’s hard out here for a bitch Feminism is a taboo that everyone is confused about but don’t fear my ladies. We present to you our simple guide to being a sassy feminist when times get tough. So click your fingers in a z-formation. words By shannon cowley

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December 2014/January 2015

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omen have come a long way since the days of the Suffragettes movement where protesters were throwing themselves under horses to fight for gender equality. A success? Well, in Western society women (almost) have equal pay, education and of course, they did eventually win the right to vote. But, just what do these ladies need to do before the rest of the population can accept the fact that females are equal human beings. Is it really that hard? However much men swan around acting as if God put them here as a gift, it’s just not happening guys.

Surprisingly there is no superior gender. Fascinating, I know. Feminism is a scary topic there is no doubt about that. Everybody has conflicting arguments and their own idea of what it’s all about and people naturally become intimidated. It seems people are confusing the fight for gender equality with a group of man-haters trying to destroy the male population but it’s just not the case.

You are a woman and you believe that you should have the right to your own body, your own choices and freedom. So tell the world and be a sassy bitch.

Getting hit on in a club: Shoo them away like you’re beyonce No matter how much men like to think their attention is important enough to make women dress for their desire- it just isn’t. You metaphorically cover yourself in glitter and slip into your best dress to showcase your hard (or not) work at the gym. Heading out with your divas it becomes apparent that a little leg is magically an invitation for men to heckle you. Maybe you like the attention, but maybe you don’t. Yes girls, you do have to right to decide. Men touching you without your consent is not ok and don’t be scared to say, “honey, please don’t touch this work of art.”

Surely being left alone to dance with your ladies isn’t too much to ask, is it? No girls, it really isn’t. Nobody has the right to give attention where it isn’t wanted. Guys, this is 2014, women have rights you know.

The sassiest way to do this is to shoo them away with a hand gesture. Although, phrases such as ‘please don’t fucking touch me’ should always do the trick. If this doesn’t work don’t be afraid to get passive aggressive.

You don’t owe an explanation to anybody as to why you don’t want their hands all over your new gown. You’re a queen; get back on that dance floor.

Slut shaming: Who here has ever been called a slut?

Somewhere along the line everyone has been taught that a woman who is sexually promiscuous is automatically classed as a slut or a whore and told to get some ‘self-respect’. But of course, if a man does the same thing they’re praised and congratulated by the entire world on his victory of getting laid. Where did this double standard even come from? And why are women using it on each other?

No person has the right to tell you that your sexual activity defines you as a person. This demoralising word is preached to everybody as way to shame freedom of choice. Girls (and boys) never forget that your body is just that, yours.

If a man slut-shames you, don’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction and laugh at his childish beliefs. If a fellow lady slut-shames you, please feel bad for their

unfortunate views on the world. “You all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores, it just makes it ok for guys to call you sluts and whores.” – Miss Norbury, Mean Girls. Amen to that sister.

Body shaming: go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that Hi Megan Trainer and thanks so much for the catchy pop song that teaches everybody to shame one body type in order to praise another, great job. Why are we stuck in in the mind set that ‘real women are curvy’ and ‘only a dog likes a bone’? In terror over the size-zero model on the catwalk, we seem to think that the only body type being oppressed is the ‘curvy’ kind. Fearful of the anorexia epidemic we have shouted out ‘big is beautiful’- but what about tall and skinny?

It seems we can’t understand that body shaming is actually using the body as a tool of victimisation. We need to teach everyone that all shapes are beautiful, as cliché as that sounds. So next time you go to say ‘eat something’ or ‘get some meat on them bones’ just remember it’s the same as telling somebody to ‘go on a diet’ or ‘you’ve put on a few pounds’. Being body confident is about being happy in your own skin and having a positive mind.

So why are we basing our self-worth on pleasing dudes? Women are constantly using men as a weapon against other women and it really needs to stop because by doing this it makes them powerful. Who cares whether men prefer curves? That doesn’t make petite body-types less womanly as much being curvy doesn’t make you more feminine. I think we’re forgetting that there are a lot of people in the world who all like different things. The first step into accepting your body is to stop body-shaming others. A positive mind makes positive energy and just makes the world a better place.

What feminism is about: Gender equality for men and women removing stereotypes of what ‘real’ men and women should be having control of your own mind, body and choices equal opportunities showing your nipples without complaint what feminism is not about: Hating men growing your armpit hair being a stuck-up bitch wanting women to be more important than men

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