I’m currently at school, fresh out of Women in U.S. History class, and I have a general bone to pick with the world (as per usual).
Things I learned today:
A) In the 14 and 15th centuries (and perhaps later, actually), if a woman seemed particularly off the wall, it was common for them to be forced to undergo a hysterectomy, as a means for “curing” her “hysteria.” Hence, the beginning syntax ‘hyst.’
B) A woman in class mentioned that she took the Women’s Psychology class, here at Columbia, and said she learned that of the entire English language, there are only two female-oriented words that are not derivatives of the male term of a word (actor —> actress, etc.). They are:
1) Bride [male derivative— “Bridegroom”]
2) Witch [male derivative— “Warlock”]
It’s all quite funny, in a melancholy sort of way. The latter kind of gives you the idea of how woman’s inequality has survived and thrived for so long. As far as radicalism and stereotyping goes, women are either A) meek housewives or B) hairy arm-pitted, butch creatures that believe women are far superior to men. We are either pretty brides in white, or nasty witches in green.
I will come to this topic again and again, because I am a proud feminist. One that shaves her under arms (a truly personal preference for myself), one that wears makeup, one that does not desire to raise a family, one that doesn’t believe in the legally binding institution of marriage, and one that wears dresses—lots of them. Being a feminist, by correct definition, also means believing in the absolute equality of both sexes. Being a modern feminist also means being an individualist, and as individuals we cannot be easily thrust into one category or another. We are a hodge podge of different beliefs. But the fundamental, underlying, ultimate agreement for being a feminist is that both sexes are equal and should be treated equally. That’s it. Period. End of discussion.
