Make A Change

It's 2016 and we are still no where close to reaching equality.
Women today still have to prove themselves. Prove that they're just as strong as men. Prove that they too can be independent.
And just as we start voicing our opinions and stand up for what we believe in, people are quick to make the statement, "You're such a feminist." Unfortunately, in the past 5 years, the word "feminist" has to grown to adopt a negative connotation as though it is something to be ashamed of.
However, those who do misinterpret the meaning of the word, have a flawed definition of feminism to begin with:

 Feminism- "the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men"

Yeah, did you read that? Equality meaning the goal of feminism is to make women equal to men. Not above or below. Just equal. This is extremely important to understand as more that half of the anti-feminists think feminism means putting women above men, which is not even close to being accurate. Therefore, when people deem me as feminist, it is in no way an insult but in fact a compliment because any educated individual (who has taken the time to understand what feminism means), will proudly call himself/herself a feminist. 

To continue, women continue to have the bear the weight of the social stigma and stereotypes placed on them. A plethora of women around the world are still taught that "a woman's place is in the home" (Hooks 97).  Females are expected to get married early so they can have kids and take care of the household.

I was born in India, but I came here when I was 3 months old and have lived here ever since. I've grown up with American values and culture, but a big part of my life is still rooted with Indian culture and that's something I would never want to give up. However, their is a stark difference between the way women are treated there versus here. For example, I have twin cousins, one guy and one girl, yet this past year my grandparents have been trying to get her married just because in Indian culture the girls usually get married very early to guys older than them, and well it seems like my cousin had become of age. What shocked me the most was that though they were trying to find a match for my female cousin, but they did not even bring up my male cousin getting married even though they're the same age. 

Also, just this past week I came to find out that one of my distinct female relative is filing for divorce. I was devastated to hear this since when I visited her last I remembered seeing her small happy family with her beautiful daughter. When my mom finally told me the reason for the divorce, I was appalled. Apparently, her educated, lawyer husband had been mercilessly taunting her and her father-in-law occasionally even beating her just because she had not been able to conceive a son for the family yet. Just for that one small reason. I was almost in tears after hearing this. I had known how important sons were in the Indian culture as they were the heir to the family, yet it had never crossed my mind that I would get to witness something like this in a day and age like today. 

I would like to clarify though that it no way am I demeaning Indian culture, and I myself am very proud to call myself an Indian. These problems I just mentioned are just part of culture and society and have been repeated for so many years that people can't seem to see beyond it. 

Lastly, I know I can't change the world and that everyone won't agree with my viewpoint. But I just ask for one thing: if you ever see a man or woman getting oppressed or not receiving his/her rights, please speak up and help someone in need. We can make a change together :)