Are you a feminist?

"If not, why not? Feminism, I think is a very fascinating word. When people talk about it, the thought that would always come to mind, until recently, was feminists believe that the female is the only true gender in the world. This is also often unconsciously equalized to Man Hating. The very definition of feminism at its core is and I quote “ the advocacy of women's rights based on the equality of sexes.” Equality; is another fascinating word. When do I know that I am equal to the boy in front of me? Do I know that I’m equal when I am allowed to dress, walk and sit like him without being judged for my body? Or when I feel safe. That I will not be ragged, kidnapped, or raped when I step out of the front door? Or when a man is allowed to cry just like me and not be told to Man-Up. Or is it when he is given free bus tickets just because he is born a man? I can go on and on but where do we stop? Over the years people's views have changed on Feminism and women who claim to be feminists have represented this movement as a superiority competition. It really isn't. The first step towards equality, we must realize, is just as simple as a woman getting the same choices a man does. Where she is allowed to take decisions about her marriage, body, and life. You decide if you always want to stay in the kitchen. You decide whether you're fat or thin. you decide what life you want. I say with pride, I am a feminist. I will remain a feminist until I see my children and their children get the right to choose in their lives. Feminism is not about making females superior to their male counterparts. It is about providing opportunities to both men and women to live the life that they deserve."

-Pranathi Murthy