In my opinion, it comes down to this: when people start taking rights for granted, they start losing them. It is important for women to represent themselves and their needs, because otherwise they may be overlooked or ignored. Men do the same--- the primary difference being, it's always been the status quo for their needs to be represented so it's not really acknowledged. Passivity, intellectual laziness, and taking things for granted are a surefire way to end up in a bad situation, politically or otherwise.
I am a feminist in that I support women's interests. I am not a radical feminist because that sort of black and white thinking, on either end of the spectrum, is illogical. That sort of hardcore ideology leads you to ignore evidence in favor of your own opinion. You *have* to think for yourself. Do your research, don't align yourself blindly with one cause or another based on hearsay. Find out where your views stand on the scatterplot and be willing to adapt as new data and information come to light. I don't care what you believe, just be motivated enough to step outside the echo chamber and think critically.
Likewise, take your head out of the sand and realize that just because you have it good, doesn't mean everyone else does, and certainly doesn't mean that that "good" will be permanent. This is just my experience, but I live like a glorified 50s housewife when I am not smacking men around for money and I love it. Cook dinner every night, clean, have a lot of aprons and wear false eyelashes every day because I like looking pretty for my other half as much as I like looking pretty for myself. I also support the right to abortion and many other womens' causes. I am grateful to be in a society where I can do what I want to do, where I can live like this without *having* to live like this, and where I know my voice can be heard if I take the time to make it heard.
I think radical feminism is poised to be an enormous threat to women's rights because a lot of people hear "feminism" and immediately write it off. I honestly wonder if the word "feminism" is outdated, and maybe it would be better if children of both genders were taught more critical thinking and were taught to be more active in their own lives. I don't know, that's a tangent.
It is good for people to be invested in politics and sociology, to not dismiss real issues because things are comfortable now, and to continue to educate themselves. I appreciate a lot of what
@Kitsune has to say and her posts have sparked a lot of thought on my end, even though I disagree with some substantial portions of her ideology, particularly related to gender. This is fine.
Bottom line. Don't be complacent. Don't be intellectually lazy. Investigate your sources. Everyone has a bias, but some more than others. I am just really, really troubled by posts like
@cherrybomb1111's because it takes a lot for granted. This is not me throwing shade or calling names. A looot of people feel that way which is really worrying. I am just saying it is dangerous to take progress for granted. This is a reminder to myself as much as anything else. I got really really lucky and had a classical education with a huge emphasis on philosophy and critical inquiry. I am so grateful to my parents for that and wish all children could be encouraged in that way.
I also acknowledge that I abuse commas horribly and apologize in advance.
