HeForShe - What is Feminism?

Allow me to kick off with a definition. 

[Feminism] The belief that women are and should be treated as potential intellectual equals and social equals to men. These people can be either male or female human beings, although the ideology is commonly (and perhaps falsely) associated mainly with women.

The basic idea of feminism revolves around the principle that just because human bodies are designed to perform certain procreative functions, biological elements need not dictate intellectual and social functions, capabilities, and rights

Feminism also, by its nature, embraces the belief that all people are entitled to freedom and liberty within reason - including equal civil rights--and that discrimination should not be made based on gender, sexual orientation, skin color, ethnicity, religion, culture, or lifestyle.

In the simply amazing video, Emma Watson talks about Feminism. What does it REALLY mean, who does it matter to, what do we do? She also launches the HeForShe campaign to women and men. Her speech is simply beautiful and though provoking. She is a young 24 years old and beyond her years in wisdom. It was ... moving.

She down right nails the definition of Feminism. A known word, yes, but a word confused for it's true meaning. One of the highlights in her speech was the comment below.

"I decided that I was a feminist. This seemed uncomplicated to me. My recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists. Apparently, I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating and anti-men."

I couldn't agree more with comments throughout her speech.

Bossy ... When a little boy, young man or even adult male is assertive - he is known as a leader. When a little girl, teen girl, or even adult woman does, she is known as being bossy. 

ds like bossy send a message: don't raise your hand or speak up.Those words, "bossy" send strong messages - don't raise your hand, don't speak up. 

Work pay ... since when should women not get equal pay as male counterparts? Take a male and a female both applying for the same job. Both male/female went to honrable colleges, have previous work experience. Is it really fair if the male counterpart were to get offered more?

Decisions ... I can actually tell you a time where this almost affected me. When I lived in Virginia, there was a lot of debate about allowing contraception to be available anymore. Along the "Personhood Amendment." You have to be absolutely crazy if I am going to let someone (in this case, a male governor candidate) to tell me what I can and can't take. This is my body and I will do as I please. That decision, should be a woman's decision and right. No one else's to take away.

Regardless, I think this new campaign #HeForShe is amazing & brilliant. Go on, guys ... Show your love for women :)

What Would I Tell My 16 Year Old Self aka My 16 YR Old Sister ... (inspiration provided by Hello Giggles today)

It has been sometime since I have written. Summer ended up being busier than expected, but overall so amazing. I was able to take a real (relaxing) vacation and had a number of friends come to visit. I still have some visitors trickling in. I couldn't be more happy.

September marked my one year mark as a New Yorker. I still can't believe it has been a year. Wow! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't experience something new or a weekend when I don't visit a new place. I love this city. Could I live here forever? Probably not. But for now, I am certainly content ... more like happy, really happy.

I was homesick recently. It has been so long since I have been homesick. I haven't lived in my hometown for 5 1/2 years now. I guess there are just times I miss seeing my neices grow up and giving my little (not so little) sister advice when I see her doing something silly. It's not so much the place I miss, but my family.

Speaking of family ... I read a great article on Hello Giggles this week by a reader about what they would tell their 16 year old self. I started to think, "what would I tell my 16 year old self?" Then, I said, "what would I tell my 16 year old sister?" I don't live with her so I can't nearly be as annoying as I wish to be. She is in that "I am cool" phase and would rather not talk to me, so we don't talk often. Hey, I totally get it. Social is more important that family at that age. No blame ... I was once 16. (Many years ago!) So, here is my advice to my 16year old self or really, my 16 year old sister ...

• Fall in love, but don't think it's the end of the world if it doesn't work out. He may be the first, but he won't be the last. He is just a stepping stone to the next.
• Friends are MORE important that boys. Yep, I said it. Even though you may love him, just know that your friends will always be there and boys come and go. Take it from someone who is 13 years older than you.
• Don't be negative so often. As you grow up, you will realize that things in your life really aren't that bad. Turn a bad situation good, look at it in a positive light. For god sakes, you are 16 years old and in high school. The hardest things you have to worry about are grades. Can I go back to being 16?
• Stand up for yourself. Don't let people bully you. But do not bully other people. You will feel like a horrible person in a few years if you are. Be kind and people will usually be kind back.
• School matters. Grades, getting up early, teachers, assignments - seriously? It is so much, right? It totally matters. In two years it will get you into college and then get you a good job. Make this a main focus. I can guarantee you will regret it if you don't
• Don't DO drama. I know this one is hard. I specifically remember a few friends in high school that were almost drama free if you can believe it. I admire that. They were so care free. I look back and ask myself why I put myself in stupid situations and stupid fights. Why I hung around in certain crowds and participated in petty drama. It wasn't worth it. 
• Make good friends. I can't tell you that I am friends with every friend that I had in HS, but there are a handful that I keep in touch with still and it is an amazing thing. Make lasting friendships and appreciate them.
• Laugh a lot. Be silly, spontaneous, do random things. Don't be so serious all the time.
• Be independent. If moving from state to state has taught me one thing, that is independence. It is wonderful having friends, family and a loved one. BUT, make sure you can do things on your own and for yourself.
• Get a job. Start making that moolah early on in life and build an appreciation for what it is like to work, pay for things, etc.
• Show emotion. Cry, laugh, scream, yell. All of the above. Voice your opinions and listen when others do the same.
• Be proud of who you are and who you are growing to be. YOU are an amazing person.
• Have a bump? Make a mistake? Doing something stupid? It IS okay. You are still young. You will recover. Just shake it off. :)
• Ya better work! I mean work out. If there is one thing I have learned, that I could have told my younger self is too work out/stay fit earlier in life. Eat well, treat your body RIGHT.