Perception is that feminism is an ideology to counter unfair male superiority to promote gender equality. I have developed a contrasting view on our thoughts and actions out of above stated perception.
My friend and I were walking out of a restaurant and a lady who was about to enter snapped at us saying – After you ladies. Courtesy should be by intent and is meaningless if it is by habit and expectation. All the “After you madam” acts are out of unconscious belief that women are weaker (or) a mundane habit, just like brushing in the morning. How is it empowering to demand courtesy as if it is a right?
Harsha Bhogle a very skillful orator, cricket commentator and a compassionate human being tweeted – “Follow women’s cricket, let’s create stars out of them as well”. Stars create themselves, based on relative success, entertainment, market and cultural quotients which prevail at that point of time, not the other way around. Harsha tried to promote women`s game out of honest intent, but it is as naïve as expecting Mr.Universe Contest to be as popular Miss Universe Contest.
Sadhguru, whose thoughts I find very refreshing said – “True independence for women can be attained only when we stop seeing them as objects of beauty”. Firstly, that is improbable as it is against human instinct and why do we even want take away that wonderful distinct asset from them. It is no different from the high, we experience during Olympics 100 metres men`s dash, which is a sheer exhibition of raw human capability.Now, it is immaterial if women out skill men in various other walks of life, as it is relative to individual’s ability and not gender specific.
We tend to stereotype feminism with thoughts/sensibilities that we associate with women. I could never understand this as – apart for difference in body anatomy and associated natural inclinations, could relate myself to my mother in every other aspect. True essence of feminism is to take gender out of it and that to me is true and honest respect for women.