Consolation of Feminism

I wrote a letter to feminism. It went something like this:

Dear Feminism,
I know you’re under a lot of scrutiny right now. I also know you’re one of the most controversial topics in the world today. I just have a few questions for you…
I don’t mean to sound rude, but what exactly are you, Feminism? Everyone seems to have their own interpretation, but I would like to know from you what you are.
Again, I don’t want to sound rude or too direct but this situation calls for bluntness. Do you hate men?
Who is your biggest enemy? I know what some people’s obvious answer would be, but I want to know what you think.
If you could answer these questions, I would be much obliged.
Your truth-seeking friend,
Catherine Allbritton

I put my letter in an envelope, addressed it to the proper address, and sent the letter on its way. I didn’t expect the reply I received.

I was sitting in my room, scrolling through social media on my iPad. Articles written by women who did or did not support the new President and the various reasons for their standpoints kept popping up. There were also videos about gender and racial stereotypes. News articles about a march on Washington flooded my newsfeed. Everywhere I looked I kept seeing messages of negativity and division.

I felt like someone was watching me, so I looked up and saw a striking character. She had robes that cascaded to the floor, a spiked crown, in one hand she carried a tablet, and in the other a burning torch. Everything was a light green color. She stood straight and tall at the foot of my bed. I could only sit with my mouth gaping open.

“Well,” she said in a clear voice, “do you know who I am?”

I swallowed hard and said the first thing that came to my mind: “Are you Lady Liberty?”

The figure smiled knowingly and shook her head. “We often get confused because we are so alike,” she said. “However, I am not Lady Liberty. I am Feminism, and I came to you to answer your questions.”

I was speechless. Feminism had received my letter and was answering it. I decided to ask my first question. “Feminism,” I asked politely, “what are you? I know everyone has their own definition of you, but which one do you feel best explains you?”

She answered almost immediately, “I am equality between men and women regardless of race or ethnicity. I desire for people to be rewarded or punished based on their actions, not on their gender. I am freedom from stereotypes.”

Her answer immediately prompted another question from me. I hesitated however, because I wasn’t sure if I wanted the answer. She noticed my hesitation though and motioned for me to ask the question on my lips.

“Feminism,” I asked, “if you are equality, why do people say you hate men? Equality is all people being equal, but can people be made equal by building up or must we tear each other down?”

Feminism sighed. “Of course the only true way for everyone to be equal is through recognizing and accepting their differences. Tearing a gender, race, or religious group down does not elevate another.”

I asked another question that had been on my mind since she appeared to me. “Feminism,” I asked, “why do you look like Lady Liberty? I pictured you as something...much different.”

Feminism looked me square in the face and asked me a difficult question. “What is liberty?” she asked.

I thought about it for a moment, recalling all that I’ve been told of the history of the United States and what the Statue of Liberty represents. “Liberty,” I began slowly, “is the belief that everyone is free to do what they want and say what they want within a code of moral conduct. The Statue of Liberty represented freedom to immigrants as they entered the harbor at Ellis Island.”

Feminism nodded, and asked, “How would you say that relates to equality?”

I immediately answered, “Liberty is based on equality. Everyone should have an equal chance to pursue happiness, regardless of their gender, race, or background.”

Feminism smiled. “Don’t you see where I fit in?” she asked. “I am interwoven into equality which is interwoven into liberty; those two reasons are why I look so much like Lady Liberty.”

Digesting all of the information she had given me, I asked Feminism my final question. “Who is your greatest enemy, Feminism?”

Her face darkened, and she shifted on her feet a little bit causing a clinking sound. For the first time, I noticed she had shackles around her ankles. She noticed my staring and passionately gave her answer. “My greatest enemy is ignorance. There are some people who hate me and wish I would keep quiet. There are others who claim to be acting in my name while tearing people down. Each of these groups are acting out of ignorance of what I am. I am not women over men, I am not a man-hater...I am equality. These shackles represents people’s ignorance which keeps me from being free. You see,” she said shakily, “I shouldn’t have to argue my case anymore. Equality is something that should have been established long ago. I will admit that things are better now, but we still have a long way to go.”

“But what can I do?” I asked. “I am just one person. There are millions of people who are spreading lies about what you are. What am I supposed to do?”

“I came to you to give you the knowledge you desired!” she said passionately. “Your desire brought me here, and I have told you the truth. It is now your job to inform others and spread my message of equality. You’re right, one person isn’t going to change the world. But you can tell others, and they will tell others, and more people will know what I truly am. As the knowledge spreads, ignorance will shrink, and I will finally be loosed from these chains.”

She straightened up and looked at me. “You know what you have to do,” she said.

I nodded, and in the blink of an eye she was gone. Her impact remains, and it is only through each one of us spreading the message of love and equality that we can truly free feminism.