The Hairy Armpit Dilemma by blogger Emily

Feminism. A word that flicks off the tongue with flames, burns holes through pages and sears the screen you just read it on. “I am a feminist.” Those are fighting words; words that people often use to justify actions, thoughts and beliefs. Feminism has become an explanation for certain behaviors and lifestyles, straying from its core definition as the advocacy for the social, political and economic equality of women.




There is a difference between:




-“You don’t shave your armpits?”

-“Yeah, I’m a feminist, that’s why.”




And




-“You don’t shave your armpits?”

-“Yes, I don’t like to shave my armpits, I don’t want to shave my armpits and I’m not letting my gender get in the way of this decision. I’m not even considering my gender as a factor in the hairiness of my armpits. I’m a human being who doesn’t exist within the confines of gender.”




Because people perceive the word “feminism” as a defense for certain behaviors and even the start of a long, fiery argument, it has acquired a somewhat violent social connotation. Being feminist is often associated with being fervently anti-male and anti-patriarchal.




Have you ever heard someone describe another person as a “raging feminist?” The “feminists” that first come to your mind are probably the most vocal ones, flooding your Facebook with strongly worded statuses complementing shocking links. This type of feminist wants you to know how he or she is constantly “sticking it to the man,” literally. His or her metaphorical (and/or physical) hairy armpits are in your face, as is her or her palpable rage towards men.




But fret not, feminists of all persuasions. You can shave your armpits and still be a feminist. You can wear pink lipstick and still be a feminist. You can let your heterosexual male counterpart buy you dinner and still be a feminist. On the same token, you can elect to not shave your armpits and not be a feminist. You can pay for your own dinner and not be a feminist. These are just actions. The rationale behind your actions is what makes you a feminist or not.




You are a feminist if you advocate for the social, political and economic equality of women. If this means galloping up to the scene of a sexist remark, guns blaring, then by all means, advocate that way. But if this means wearing what you want to wear regardless of male or female societal pressures, then advocate that way.




Yes, feminism is an awesome word because it empowers women, but we can’t forget how it also challenges the old fashioned patriarchal system in place. This is a system that takes gender into account. This is a system built upon gender roles. In this system, gender tells us what we should and shouldn't do. By disregarding these gender constrictions, we find true feminism.