Guest post – What does feminism mean to me?

Hi everyone! 

I’m Lizzie from Lizzie’s Language and I’m really pleased to be writing a guest post on Elm’s blog, as she is such a talent writer. She is also writing a post on mine! I’m going to talk about feminism and what it means to me. 

I am constantly told that I’m over sensitive because I call people out over their racist jokes. Or I’m told that women have enough rights all ready so I should just shut up and go back to the kitchen. When I am alone on the streets or in a shop, even if there are a million people around, I am terrified when a man comes too close. Or rolled eyes are given when I try to explain why our bathrooms should be transgender friendly and that gay is not an insult.  

That is why I need feminism. 

I am constantly asked what feminism means to me and I would say that it means a voice. It gives me a voice to speak out to the world. My feminism however is not just for white women, it’s for everybody, no matter what race, sexuality or gender. The other day a boy asked me why I was defending trans right when I was a feminist and I told him that my feminism cares for everybody. And he said, ‘But feminists are only fighting for women’s rights’ and I think people confuse what feminism is because of its name.

All the time my friends tell me that they would be more on board with feminism if it was called something else. I’m sorry but isn’t the whole of the history of human beings called ‘ManKind’. And it’s called feminism not equalism because it focusing on raising females up to the same place as men and not tearing the men down to a lower level. Plus, who cares if it’s called feminism because it all started to try and give better opportunities to women and then it has evolved to help everyone.

Feminism also means so much to me because I would say that it is the thing that I’m most passionate about and how much passion I put into it never fades. I love dance and trialthons but sometimes I’m really passionate about it and then a month later I still love it but it doesn’t quite mean the same thing to me. Whereas feminism is something that I always have fire for and I’m always ready to fight for. The problem that I see now is that it is everywhere. Racist, homophobic, sexist comments and even subconscious acts don’t go unnoticed to me. Sometimes I call people out but I seem to notice it all the time and I just store my anger away. Recently I’ve watched my old favourite tv shows, like ‘How I met you mother’ and realise while I watch it that there are just so many comments that make me wince. 

Feminism is something that makes me who I am. People think of me and probably think of the feminist who writes slam poetry and is educated on most topics. I hope that the people reading this are either call themselves feminists or support the movement because we need all the help that we can get. 

I’d also like to say a massive thank you to Elm for giving me this amazing opportunity to write on her blog! 

Much love, 

Lizzie xxx