By Anjali Nayak
Closely evading rules set by men, women have been forced to walk a very careful line. From the small details in how they present themselves to the cold-hearted competitive nature forced upon women, never is it asked whether such implications prove helpful to women themselves. For example, a woman must be promiscuous and feminine, but be sure to not show too much skin. Never is it asked, why can’t a woman wear whatever she wants?
The very basis and roots of shaming come from practically the same idea that women want to appease men. She’s wearing that top to get with a guy. She only knows anything about cars to impress him. The conclusion jumped to is always the same—she can’t be doing something for herself. Why is it that women aren’t supposed to be content with themselves?
Regardless of gender, it’s a universal feeling. Everyone has a pair of pants, a piece of jewelry, or even a song to play that makes them feel comfortable in their own skin. Everyone should be allowed to feel good and express themselves, so why shame those that do?
Oftentimes, radical ideals of feminism contradict any and all initiatives to end shaming. While feminism is meant to promote the rights and feelings of women, oftentimes there is a specific idea of who a feminist is, counteracting any sense of progress. A feminist is not supposed to sleep around or wear makeup, but isn’t that the point of feminism? To rid such blatant stereotypes and observations? It’s too true and too often the case, that so-called feminists are the real threat to feminism and everything they supposedly stand for.
The only real answer to end such malicious scrutiny is to keep in my mind that anyone should be able to do whatever they want to do.