Feminism and Equality

(Day one - Kyteman Orchestra)

In response to the HeForShe IMPACT 10x10x10 Initiative, I decided to write a piece about feminism, or more precisely, gender equality. And some of you might think I am not considered to be the right person to do that. That is because some people consider that I use women. But keep in mind that such consideration stems from an ideal of what people 'should' be like. And it is exactly that thought that keeps us from equality in the first place. Hence I will write a piece about equality and feminism, and hope it sparks some inspirations.

Personally I am a believer of actions. I do not really care what you meant to say, nor do I really care what your intentions were. All I will do is take you for who you are, by what you do. I will judge you for the actions that you do, and yes speech is an action. And it is from this approach that I will share equality. In short, yes having laws that render us equal rights are good, and gravelly important. But the question is, why doesn't it work? The answer is simple; we do not act equal.

And that is a precarious issue, as if you live like the ideals that I personally value greatly, you will live and act like you want to act. And the great thing is, that if you do so, then you will also lose gender inequality. Or at least, the parts of inequality we do not want to be ourselves. So my advice is simple; Respect everyone, and don't do things because you think you are supposed do them.

I will give an example; people say 'chivalry is dead' but it is not. I like chivalry, I hold doors open for others, help other people cross streets, give them a ride, and help people into their coats. And the most wonderful thing happened quite recently, a woman was chivalrous to me. She got up, and helped me into my coat. Chivalry isn't meant to be by men for women. Chivalry is meant to be from people to people. Hence don't do, or refrain from doing things because you think that you are not supposed to do them. Do them because you want to do them.

At worst, we will end up with an honest happy people who are what they want, and I'll tell you, people will still want to work, as they also want to eat. But people will not curb their ambitions because 'they are not supposed to', and people will not do things because that is what expected from them. And maybe, just maybe one day the woman that I love, and loves me in return will get on her knee and ask me to marry her. And all I can do, is go on my knee too and say yes. And then I will very manly raise her in the air.
Because let's face it, I am 40 kg heavier then her and obviously overjoyed.

Good luck, and good luck #HeForShe