Feminists? Any here?

[sgtiger]

Of all the adjectives that I might use to describe myself, feminist would probably not be one. Then again, I haven't given it too much thought previously. I do ,however, fully believe in women's rights. And I see women's rights as being more than a women only issue. I think it is a human rights issue. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their goals and be able to live their lives as they see fit as long as it does not impinge upon the rights of others'. It's going to take more than just us, as women, to recognize and to speak out about the injustices we see in this world towards women though. It will take changing the mentality of the human race. Whether it may or may not be agreed upon that existing legislation and workplace policies go far enough or not, those policies are moot if they are ignored. We have to raise the standards by which women see themselves and men see women in order for those policies to truly be effective and to mean anything. Just as gaining civil rights took more than minority advocates in order for them to be recognized, we need the men in our lives to believe in us - whether they are our bosses, fathers, friends, brothers, sons, mentors, spiritual leaders, legislators, etc. Without their backing and willingness to see us ,women, as being just as capable; the change we want will not happen. Let's face it, we don't live in a vacuum. Our lives are influenced by men both in positive and negative ways, whether we choose to recognize that or not. So I do not see how we can have a discussion about women's right without involving the role of men in it. Personally, I'd like to imagine a world where there isn't a necessity for such policies, because PEOPLE are respectful of one another and they are recognized for their actions.