the thing about marriage...

One of the most pressing issues today is that of marriage. Now, I have a few bones to pick with marriage. First, the marriage craze. Women are supposed to be man-obsessed, love-obsessed, relationship-obsessed fools. Please pump out those bridal magazines at full force, for the easily influenced twenty-somethings trying to figure out who they are. No, wait. For the starry-eyed teenagers experiencing their first taste of love, or lust, or whatever it is that one experiences in high school. Better yet, keep playing those damsel-in-distress Disney films for your children, so that your daughters in the princess dresses grow up with the idea that they need a man to rescue them so that they’ll live happily ever after imprinted on their brains. This is all part of the anti-feminist movement. Who prints these magazines and writes these movies? Men. The big white republican Man. He makes the money off of the marriage circus, and he reaps the benefits of women being dependent on men. Why fight for equal rights if all we’re thinking about is men? What are equal pay and reproductive rights when we have a guy to come home to who makes decisions for us? I can’t help but be in shock when I find all of my friends getting married, when I so strongly disagree with the faux-religious and prejudice practice. Secondly, if we’re all supposed to be marriage maniacs, then why isn’t this key to happiness available for everyone? Because self-righteous bigots everywhere made it so, that’s why. What are they so afraid of? Are homosexuals a different species set out to ruin marriage and families everywhere?! I don’t think so. We’re people, just like you. We laugh, cry, and dream just like you do. I’ve met homosexual trophy wives. She still dares to dream of marrying and being a stay at home mother in pearls and Manolos, not deterred by the fact that she’s been in a relationship with a woman for over a year. I’ve met straight-laced white republican men who want nothing more than to curl up next to a man at night. I’ve met sorority girl lesbians who hide their relationships from unforgiving peers. I’ve met gay men so hip, trendy, and flamingly homosexual that their parents were relieved when they finally came out of the closet. I’ve met more heart and soul in the gay community that I’ve ever seen my entire straight, southern-Baptist life. These people band together like no group of people I’ve ever seen. Dykes, queers, gays, drag queens, transsexuals and all will forget their differences and hold hands, and despite their broken hearts, march with their heads up to the capital building to DEMAND equal rights. They were denied them, yet again. But I have faith that one day, we won’t be denied equal human rights. We will be free to love whoever our heart chooses, without judgment or punishment. Until that day, gay and straights alike must fight for the right for everyone to be equal. Marriage is an oppressive institution created by men to trap women and squash their desire for equality. To allow everyone to be free to marry and enjoy the financial and stability benefits of being married is to bring marriage into a new light. It will not destroy the family, but create more families and loving homes. It will not ruin the religious practice, but restore faith in religion for millions of people everywhere.

Feminists In Action -- Get informed!

No super powers needed. You can easily become an activist in your community. The first step is to become familiar with the issues surrounding women’s rights.

Feminist information:
I HIGHLY recommend the book “Full Frontal Feminism” by Jessica Valenti. This book honestly changed my life. She puts the issues right in your face, with no mercy and solid facts, while making it an exciting read. I literally did not put this book down; it was not only addictive but empowering. I myself have also read “Cunt” by Inga Musico and “The Vagina Monologues” by Eva Engler. These were both phenomenal books, full of passion and harsh reality. Read a few of these feminist books, and I swear your heart will forever be changed. A background on the basics of feminist beliefs is extremely helpful and truly life changing. Keeping up with current news is a staple in being active in society. Without knowing what’s going on, not only in the United States, but around the world, one can hardly hope to be a part of any kind of change. I absolutely do not recommend the news on television, unless you want to be brainwashed by far right ideals. Do your own research. There are a million websites dedicated to bring you real news. Some far right and some far left, and some that let you form opinions for yourself on the matters at hand. I highly recommend the websites “Jezebel.com” and “Feministing.com.” I check these websites religiously, a few times a day. They’re constantly bringing us up-to-date news information from all over the world involving women and minority rights. They’re also packed with information on celebrities and fashion, if you’re into that sort of thing. Magazines are another great way to stay constantly up to date on the feminist community. I’m personally subscribed to Bitch magazine, and it’s great. I’ve also heard Bust and Ms. are fantastic reads. So put down those disgusting glossy Cosmopolitan and Vogue magazines and pick up something with REAL women in it. They are by real women, for real women, and your money goes to real women.

Background on feminism...check! Now get out there, and start talking.