Categories: Editorial

Why Every Man Should Take A Leaf From Obama’s Feminist Handbook


by Niamh ODonoghue
05th Aug 2016

This week Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, wrote a letter on feminism culture for Glamour Magazine, and while it was staggeringly beautiful, I can’t help but wonder why every man doesn’t express the same mindset.

While he speaks about the hardship, trials, and tribulations of being the leader of an entire nation, the underlying theme revolves around his undisputed love and respect for his wife, his two daughters, and for every female who has ever encountered inequality. He reflects on the positive changes that have taken place for women in his lifetime – and even in the last 8 years in the Oval Office – and urges us not to be discouraged if we find that we’re not progressing quick enough:

?In my lifetime we’ve gone from a job market that basically confined women to a handful of often poorly paid positions to a moment when women not only make up roughly half the workforce but are leading in every sector, from sports to space, from Hollywood to the Supreme Court. I’ve witnessed how women have won the freedom to make your own choices about how you’ll live your lives?about your bodies, your educations, your careers, your finances. So we shouldn’t downplay how far we’ve come. That would do a disservice to all those who spent their lives fighting for justice?

I say that not just as President but also as a feminist.

Feministic culture has certainly erupted – as has its popularity. But with so much to say, and so many voices screaming for the same thing, the message often becomes unclear and skewed. For those of you who don’t fully understand feminism, or are unsure of whether or not you are one: feminism is not about brow-beating men, but rather it’s a peaceful movement for any man or woman who believes that women should be treated as equals. To further bust any common misconceptions; calling yourself a feminist doesn’t mean it’s our duty to take off our undergarments with solidarity to our sisters and burn them, or that you have to grow a deep hatred for men. Although the language used may seem perplexing, the aim is this: equality for all.

Sarah Jessica Parker mistakingly pointed out in a recent interview with Marie Claire that she doesn’t identify as being a feminist, but believes in equality for everyone. Well, guess what honey, you’re a feminist! That wasn’t hard, was it? Pointed out by Obama, feminism shouldn’t be stereotyped and that every man has a responsibility to, and should?care that women continue to be second-grade citizens in 2016.

“I say that not just as President but also as a feminist. It is absolutely men’s responsibility to fight sexism too. And as spouses and partners and boyfriends, we need to work hard and be deliberate about creating truly equal relationships. That’s what twenty-first-century feminism is about: the idea that when everybody is equal, we are all more free.”

Rejoice – faith in humanity has been restored. Four more years?

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