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This Issue About Us |
Letter From The EditorI am not a feminist. That's important when reading this; I have never and most likely will never identify as a feminist. Partly it's the connotation that women are better than men rather than equal, but it's more than that. I used to want to be a housewife, and that's not exactly a feminist dream. So when I write about women, remember this. Get a clue, people. It's so frustrating seeing people miss the point time and again. Like with the Kerrang readers poll. Last year not one but two men beat out any women in the sexiest female category. Two! Neither of them were awarded the title, it went to the runner-up female because she actually qualified for that category. And then - then this year the MyChem fans missed the point and started voting for Gerard Way in that category again. Here's the deal, people. Just because he's a feminist and isn't heteronormative does not make him qualify for the women's award. In fact, by voting for him there, you are, in fact, encouraging the very issues he's against. Think about this - how many female rockstars can you come up with off the top of your head? Not popstars or country stars. Rockstars. Not a ton. It's a hard world for girls, it's not very accessible to us for whatever reason. And by not voting for a woman in the women's category, you're becoming part of the problem. I'm not a feminist, I'm not into girl power, I'm just saying that by giving everything to men, you're not exactly helping the concept of equality here. So that's my real issue. We're not women, we're not men, we're all just human. All different, not different based on gender. And gender's only an issue if you make it one. I don't want it to be said that I am belittling gender issues; I know my fair share of trans people. But that's body dysmorphia, it's an actual medical condition, and not what I am saying. What I am saying is the way you perceive the world shouldn’t be defined by what gender you are. I read a lot of women talking about how they don't feel safe going out at night. They won't go out without a boyfriend, a husband, a security guard if they've had to stay late at work. They don't do what they want, they don't wear what they want, and they are paranoid all the time. I'm sorry, but what the hell? No. That's not living, that's not how you should live. I don't care where you live, it's just not the way to do things. I've lived on the bad part of town, I've lived in cities and I've lived in small towns. I've lived by drunken frat houses and blocks from a cop-shooting. AndI've never once been afraid to go out at night. One in the morning, three in the morning, if I want to go for a walk, I do. Usually barefoot and without a phone. Nothing's ever happened to me then. As for what women wear, wear what makes you most comfortable. If you can be yourself in heels and a miniskirt, if it makes you feel pretty, wear that. Don't decide not to because you think the short skirt or a low-cut top might be an issue. Your attitude is your only armor. If you walk tall, if you're confident, it shows and no one will mess with you (with few exceptions). If you think and walk like a victim, people can perceive that and it is a magnet for the very trouble you're trying to avoid. And the biggest issue with women fearing "stranger danger" is this: statistics show a violent crime is most likely to be perpetrated by someone you know and trust. Both in my own life and the lives of the people I know, that has proved very true. Since the answer is almost certainly not "do not trust anyone", it should be more like this: don't let your fears limit you. If you live your life anyhow, it doesn't matter. Don't let anyone else control you, real or imaginary.
Brittany Holmgren |
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