Tuesday 6 September 2016

Judging feminist choices.

A friend of mine wears her hair short, long in the front and short at the back. It would look pretty and feminine if she let it stay like that, but she keeps brushing the long strands behind her ears, and it looks like she cropped it short like a soldier. She wears checked shirts and pants and sports shoes, no earrings, bracelets, necklaces, skirts, no plunging necklines. She's often asked if she dresses like a guy on purpose. She's often called a tomboy. She vehemently denies it; hates even the suggestion. She thinks of herself as a complete woman. Wholely feminine.
And I've got to agree. It's her choice what to wear, what not to wear, even what to think, what not to think. It's her interpretation of femininity that counts. For me femininity is caring and sweet and kind and gentle. For her it may be strong and rooted, helpful and transient. It really does not matter.
Feminism is about doing what you want, when you want, however you want, irrespective of your gender. (Ageism is about doing it irrespective of your age. Similarly, you've got religion, race, creed, social position, financial position, jeez.)
We need to seriously get over ourselves.