STILL Not Asking for It.

Back in my college days I was part of a Women's Collective. I went to feminist events. I took Women's Studies courses. I met some amazing ladies, and I learned a lot: both about myself and about the world and my place in it. I learned wonderful things and terrifying things. Things that made me grateful and things that made me ill.

But the most valuable thing I took away from it all? That despite all the "fuck yeah girl power," men are NOT the enemy. In fact, they can be (and many - if not most - are) strong, empathetic allies. I think there's a place in feminist issues for men, and I think there should be a place for them. Men don't exist in a vacuum. They have mothers, sisters, wives, girlfriends, daughters, colleagues and friends who are women. And many of them would fight harder for us than some of us fight for ourselves. They may not be women, but that doesn't mean they haven't experienced victimization and injustice. They get it.

This is one of the reasons I rarely refer to myself as a feminist; I prefer to think of myself as an egalitarian. I think everyone should have the same rights: to be loved, to be safe, to be happy, to control our lives and bodies. Every single one of us. No ifs, ands or buts.

When this photo came through my Facebook news feed, it made me smile. Here's the caption that accompanied the photo:

'This photo was posted on STFU, Conservatives Tumblr page last night. The reason why I'm sharing it is not because of the photo itself (which is epic in its own right), but for the comments it generated. One person wrote, "but then again, it's kind like putting a meat suit on and telling a shark not to eat you."
STFU responded (with bolded text):
"We (men) are not fucking sharks!
We are not rabid animals living off of pure instinct
We are capable of rational thinking and understanding.
Just because someone is cooking food doesn't mean you’re entitled to eat it.
Just because a banker is counting money doesn't mean you’re being given free money.
Just because a person is naked doesn't mean you’re entitled to fuck them.
You are not entitled to someone else’s body just because it’s exposed.
What is so fucking difficult about this concept?"
Well Done! Speak up when you hear sexist comments! Be an ally!'

Word. Couldn't have said it better myself.