Who Is a Feminist and What Does Feminine Mean

Two Phrases That Twist My Mind

1. "We do not need feminism, we need femininity."

2. "I am feminine and not feminist'. Actually saw this one as a hashtag
@femininenotfeminist. Lolzz.

Friends, you can be feminine and feminist. You can be masculine and feminist. You can even be feline or saline and still be feminist. The above two words are not opposite - and to avoid making this a very bogus philosophical conversation filled with many high sounding terms and words, I'll attempt to simplify everything.

A. Who is a feminist? A person who believes that men and women should have equal rights, legally, economically, socially, politically and all round.

B. What does feminine mean? A person of 'any gender' who likes 'stereotypical' female things or characteristics associated generally with a 'female'. And what is feminine differs from person to person (culture to culture etc). For some, feminine means all things pink, fluffy, delicate, fragile, pretty, high heels, fashion, etc.

What is feminine is usually defined by culture. In some places, skirts are feminine belongings and in another place, skirts are just an apparel worn by both men and women. And note, culture evolves.

N/B: Feminine is the opposite of masculine.

There are women who display both feminine and masculine characteristics. Just like there are men with both too. [No sis, you don't have a spirit husband and no bro, you don't have an ogbanje spirit.]

There are men who are feminist just like there are women who are feminist. It is not a gender related identifier. Any person who believes and maybe advocates for the principles of feminism, is said to be a feminist.

You can be feminine and feminist. You can be masculine and feminist. There is no conflict or clash between any of the above. Last time I checked, I purr and my feminism is not thr£eatened.

I even cackle, and giggle, and bat eye, and do sikini and shakara and shake waist and blush, and apply rubywoo or ruby-anieowo and it doesn't thre€aten the foundation of my feminism. You can rub tiro and mma'yanga and still be a feminist.

The conflation of the above two words does not result in one being put down in favour of the other. They can and do co-exist, beautifully. Do have a beautiful weekend dear friends. And have fuuuun!