Why I Am A Feminist

Growing up, I was this typical tom-boy, not by physical appearance, but traits. Again, not exactly at school, but most certainly in college. I was closer to boys and lurked around the all-boys department - mechanical engineering. I'd tease girls with boys and had also participated in mild, harmless ragging with them. I felt it was quite cool to be that guys' girl. 

I found women 'dramatic', unreliable and quite sensitive without really understanding I was all that too. I tried to suppress my feelings because you know, I don't want to be a mood killer. I wasn't really a pick-me girl, not a people-pleaser, but I found dissing women, and talking and behaving like boys quite cool. Any girl who spoke about feminism was 'overreacting' 'pseudo-feminists'.

I don't know when all that changed for me. I don't really have had a life altering experience from men to change my perspective to be honest, but I think internet and reading helped. Eventhough not voluntarily, I started reading stories of women, the unfair treatment in the society and the sufferings - not really books, but mostly anecdotes on social media platforms. Befriending a few strong, no-nonsense women also helped in understanding the other side of female friendships. 

Eventually, things changed. The male-female ratio of friends in my life altered without me knowing. I found it more peaceful to confide in women - they won't put you down or pass a sarcastic comment while you share your trauma, for instance. I started understanding the power of sisterhood and what it can do to you and the society in general. My perspectives totally changed. It pricked and pained when I read a #MeToo story each time they appeared on my screen. Some were devastating. 

I started relating myself to women more. Once, I was a staunch supporter of Deepika Bharadwaj. Today, I find her the most vile woman - someone who is trying to shame entire womanhood by placing stories of certain men. Ofcourse, their problems also matter, and feminism ideally is about equality afterall, but if you look at the ratio of sufferings of women since time immemorial - well, that's a discussion for another day. 

Anyway, now I can also relate to all those "pseudo feminists" I hated once. When a woman and a man tells me the same story, I tend to believe the woman first. I have also started appearing to be 'irrational' to certain people. That's when I realised, I have totally become a feminist!

Today, I know the real meaning of feminism, the cause and everything related to it. I proudly call myself a feminist and can only be friends with people who atleast try to understand what it is. 

I am a proud feminist, and I will always be.