In the wake of the recent Women’s March, a post has been circulating on social media claiming, “I am not a ‘disgrace to women’ because I don’t support the women’s march. I do not feel I am a ‘second-class citizen’ because I am a woman…” Here’s my take on that perspective:
It’s essential to take a moment to express gratitude. Thank the women who paved the way for you to have a voice. Thank those who were arrested, beaten, and silenced for your right to speak up. Thank the relentless warriors who dedicated their lives to fight for your freedom. They stood strong so that you can feel “equal” and not like a “second-class citizen.”
Appreciate Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul for securing your voting rights. Thank Elizabeth Stanton for opening doors to employment opportunities. Acknowledge Maud Wood Park for advocating for prenatal care and for recognizing women’s identities beyond their husbands. Thank Rose Schneiderman for her work towards humane labor conditions. Thank Eleanor Roosevelt for empowering women in politics. Thank Margaret Sanger for advocating for legal birth control. Thank Carol Downer for championing reproductive health rights. Thank Sarah Muller for fighting for educational equality. Thank the trailblazers like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Malala Yousafzai, along with your own mother and grandmother, who endured hardships so you could enjoy freedoms they never had.
You didn’t earn these rights; you were born into them. You benefit from the struggles of strong women who battled misogyny and patriarchy. Yet, here you are, on your pedestal—a keyboard warrior fighting for complacency and denying the reality of inequality.
The truth is, you are not equal. Even if it feels like it, women still earn less than men for the same roles. Whether as CEOs, athletes, actresses, or doctors, the pay gap persists. Women still lack full autonomy over their bodies, with discussions about reproductive rights dominated by men. Women face taxation on essential sanitary products and often feel unsafe walking alone at night. Many must justify their actions in court after suffering assaults.
The struggle continues: there’s still no guaranteed maternity leave, forcing many to return to work before they are ready, often suffering from postpartum challenges. Women still fight societal pressures regarding breastfeeding in public and face judgment based on their appearance rather than their intellect.
Domestic abuse and violence against women remain rampant. For women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and transgender women, the challenges multiply. Daughters are still praised for their looks over their intelligence and are taught to accept inappropriate behavior from boys.
Globally, countries like Estonia offer three years of paid parental leave, while the U.S. lacks any mandated maternity leave. Women in Singapore can walk alone at night without fear, unlike many in the U.S. where the gender pay gap is significant. Iceland leads with the highest percentage of women CEOs, while the U.S. lags behind at a mere 4%.
I understand the reluctance to acknowledge these truths. Many equate feminism with negativity, believing that fighting for equality undermines their own perceived empowerment. You may not wish to confront the reality of oppression, fearing it would label you as a “second-class citizen.” But rest assured, I will march for you, for your daughters, and for future generations.
So, open your eyes—because millions of us are here to remind you that true equality remains elusive. This is not just about feeling equal; it is about achieving it.
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In conclusion, while we may feel a sense of equality, the work is far from over. The fight for true equality continues, and we must remain vigilant.