Feminism

An underlying theme in the problems revolving around feminism is the concept that women are believed to suffer much more in her social environment in comparison to men. The founding principle of feminism was gender equality, yet it seems to be movement whose morals have become diluted and taken over entirely by radical, anti-misogynist, misandric extremists. Feminism in itself seems to have become sexist.

Lately, I have noticed a great influx of "feminist" spirit in people. Perhaps this is only my area and the people I associate with. Male privilege this, male privilege that. I thought the main purpose of feminism was to establish gender equality. Wouldn't this be a direct show of absolute hypocrisy that undermines male issues and forces them into a marginal position?

Bearing this in mind, I believe people tend to forget that there are FEMALE privileges as well. For one, females have the power to openly discuss how men have little to no issues without being labeled sexist. Another one is having people concerned about you walking alone, while a male is expected to "toughen up" and be a man when face-to-face with those dark streets. The list is endless and subjective.

All in all, women do have privileges, as do men. Being aware of these privileges do not negate the suffering of that gender itself. When one social group has an advantage, the other typically has a disadvantage.

Other problems that I have noticed in regards to how feminism is carried out is its expectations and the impossibility of it.

One of the reoccurring arguments of feminism that I have noticed is that people should ALWAYS respect others for their sexuality. On a social network, a lesbian peer of mine claimed that she was rejected from a job opportunity in Idaho simply on the basis of her sexuality and claimed it was a feminist issue, yet I saw her a moment later "liking" a page that bashes on women, or as they were referred to on the page... sluts. Personally, I found it incredibly ironic for someone to feel disrespected because of her sexuality and condone this type of condescending attitude when it came to other female's sexual behavior...

Dressing in a promiscuous manner can be seen as a characteristic, as in that person does not respect his or herself. Firstly, people are entitled to pass judgement on others. Moreover, if a man or woman does not respect him or herself, it is absurd for him or her to demand or expect respect from all persons. However, a controversial topic such as this will undoubtedly cross into another sensitive subject: rape. While I believe that no individual automatically deserves respect, a person's way of dress is no invitation for sexual harassment or exploitation.

Like any other movement, feminism carries its far share of holes in its arguments. If I would have to base social problems on immutable physical aspects, I find ethnicity and identity to be much more applicable, as well as broad.

Although racism is not as prevalent as before, it is subtle and its vestiges are still found pervading the confines of the United States. With the Anglo-Saxon race as the majority, minorities often feel obligated to assimilate. Having had a white majority, they are held to a higher esteem and non-whites’ must endure unequal treatment, along with alienation and condemnation for their differences. For example, studies have shown that an equal distribution of people among races commit crimes, yet people of color are more likely to be charged for their heinous crimes.

Cross-group interactions between dissimilar races can reduce tension and increase more empathy among the majority toward minorities. In spite of that, that is only possible if the minority conforms, making the acculturation process unequal. They must deteriorate their cultural foundation and submit to the culture of the majority. As a result, they develop a condition of hybrid identity, an aftermath of racial prejudice.

However, minority problems are not a mere problems that involve race. Women with executive positions in the professional world can also constitute as a minority. Three white men in group full of Chinese females would also be a minority. Although one social group may be afflicted to tremendous distress, it does not trivialize or exempt the other group from having problems. It may not be distressful to the same extent or matter, but problems remain as problems; it is a matter of whether or not YOU will acknowledge them.

The framework or argument for majority-minority issues carry the same basic principles: a formula of subjugation of a smaller social group who must then acculturate to a larger group. (When ethnological identification becomes a factor, it becomes post-colonialism.) It is assumed that minorities, being smaller in number as well as power, are thrown into a world of despotic rule in which the majority is the authority. Typically, those of Caucasian descent have an social advantage, in the form of what is known as "white privilege." The minority, having become spiteful, identifies deeply with issues founded completely on race or socioeconomic differences, resulting in a sense of racism. By categorizing problems by these defining (physical) qualities, bias comes into play and for lack of better words, they fail to recognize their inadequacies AND see the "big picture."

These issues are not a gender based dilemma, nor is it a matter of ethnicity. PEOPLE that cannot fit within the parameters of social normality are thrust into a world full of maltreatment. Cut the identification with these physical aspects. Be courteous because that person is HUMAN. Remove your narrow-minded expectations and put little emphasis on petty physical attributes. People are entitled to the same human rights; it does not recognize a boundary between gender, race, or religion beliefs, nor does it hold any group of people with more regard than the other. Doing so would be an act of marginalization and devaluation through favoritism and selection. In conclusion, dissimilarities are irreconcilable, but they should be embraced with utmost respect instead of bigotry and criticism.